How to Best Prepare for a Flood.

We’ve all seen it. Those photos of people walking in chest deep water with their belongings held above their head to keep dry. However, flooding can be much smaller in size and area than the flood that may occur after a hurricane or large amount of rain in a relatively short amount of time. According to the National Severe Storm Laboratory, Floods in the United States kill more people than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.

Before we dive into how to prepare for a flood, lets take a look at what a flood is and where they are more likely to occur.

What is a Flood?
To put it simply, a flood is where water submerges any part of land/area that is usually dry. The amount of flooding varies. It may only flood over the normally dry ground by a few inches or it could cover a whole house. There are four different types of floods that can occur, they are: Coastal Floods(Surge Flood), Surface Floods (Pluvial), and River Floods (Fluvial).

Each of these types of floods can happen in a very short amount of time or over a long period of time and vary in size depending upon several factors.

Coastal floods are a direct result of severe weather conditions such as high winds (hurricanes or tropical storms) and other types of storms that pick up the water and push it inland. After the storm passes inland, it can then turn into a surface (pluvial) flood where the water is then dumped on low lying areas which usually doesn’t have anywhere for the water to go other than in the homes and yards of those living in the area.

Depending on the classification of the flooding, it can be devastating for those who live there and in some cases, loss of life can occur.

Coastal floods are classified into three different levels.

Tropical/Hurricanes Storms:

The size of the flood is directly determined by the size of the storm. Scientists can predict the amount of flooding from hurricanes or tropical storms based on the size, strength, speed and direction of the storm. Each of these different factors play a major role in the amount of damage or flooding that will occur. To better understand how each of these different factors contribute to the amount of flooding that will occur, let’s look at each one more closely.

Thunderstorms:

Also known as a thundershowers, this storm produces thunder and lightning and is accompanied by a heavy amount of rain or hail. Thunderstorms can occur anywhere and have similar characteristics as a tropical storm, but on a smaller scale.

Flooding occurs when a large amount of rain is dropped in a short period of time in an area that is ill prepared for that amount of rain. The sudden downpour floods the area with more water than it can handle. This leads to basements of homes and buildings being flooding.

Another factor that will determine if your area will be flooded is the geography, or land formation in which the rain is being dumped on. Water always runs downhill. If your home is located at the bottom of a hill, or if the area is poorly designed and doesn’t channel the water away from your home or neighborhood, then you will likely have flooding. This is an important factor to be aware of when building or buying your home. It’s always good to have your home situated higher than the area around it. Try to visualize where the water would go knowing that it always runs downhill, the easiest path with the least amount of resistance.

Just this summer, my parents had a “flood” in the basement of their home. It was raining all day and the rain collected in the rain gutter which was blocked and resulted in it spilling over and directly into the window well below. This caused the window well to fill up with water which eventually leaked into the basement. We spent the next several days cleaning up the water and drying out the carpet mats to prevent mold from growing.

River floods can be extremely dangerous because the water or flooding will continue downstream and cause more damage over a wider area. Often times, dames, dikes and other structures will break due to the inability to sustain the large amount of incoming water and will cause more flooding.

There are two main types of river/fluvial flooding that can occur, they are:

Where is a flood more likely to occur?

Floods can happen anywhere in the world, however, some places are more prone to floods than others due to the climate, surrounding landscape, and water proximity.  Below is a chart that shows where the different types of floods are more likely to occur.

Where is a flood more likely to occur?

Floods can happen anywhere in the world, however, some places are more prone to floods than others due to the climate, surrounding landscape, and water proximity.  Below is a chart that shows where the different types of floods are more likely to occur.

How to prepare for a flood

Depending on the type of flood and the location, you might have 48 hours to prepare while other floods, such as flash floods, will strike without warning. Being prepared ahead of time is the best way to protect yourself from the devastations of a flood, regardless of its size. You should listen to the radio to get real-time updates on the situation so that you can quickly evacuate if needed. Keep in mind, not all floods are the same and will require that you take different steps to better protect yourself and your family.

There are five main things you should do when protecting yourself from a flood or any other emergency, they are:

1- Contact Your Local Emergency Management Office.

If you are unfamiliar with the historical flood patterns of the past, you should contact your local Emergency Management Office to learn more about what risks you may encounter. I know that here in the Rocky Mountains we don’t have to worry about a tsunami hitting us any time soon. However, we do have surface and river floods that occur every year and have flooded some homes in the neighborhood.

Some questions you may want to ask are:
a- What floods are likely to occur in your area?

• Is there some sort of community warning system?
• Is there a community evacuation system or plan?
• How can you help others if needed?

2- Make a Plan – Be Prepared
Whether you are alone or with a family, make a plan and stick to the plan. If you have kids, you should practice your plan with them periodically to ensure that they are prepared and able to do the tasks assigned, or what they should do if you are not with them when the disaster strikes.

Studies have shown that if you have a plan and follow that plan you and your family are more likely to survive the disaster.

Some things to consider when making your plan are:

• Contact a family or friend that is out of town to let them know your plans. If there is a problem, they will be able to inform the authorities where you were heading and can send help if needed.
• What are some activities you or your family do – where will they be during the day?
• Where is the best place to meet together before, during and after disaster strikes? (regardless of the disaster type)
• What are the best exit roads to take considering each of the disasters that could occur
• What safety equipment do you need with you – emergency bag?
• What emergency numbers do I need?

3- Have a Checklist Update and Maintain as Needed.
Having a master checklist is a great way to not only ensure that you follow all of the steps to your emergency plan, but should also have a list/documentation of valuables that are within your home so that you can account for them after the disaster passes.

You’ll also want to have a record of when your emergency food expires and needs to be rotated, or when you need to change the batteries in the smoke alarm. Over time, you’ll want to update this list so that it is current.

4-  Check Your Emergency Evacuation Bag
Having an emergency evacuation bag that you can quickly grab and go is extremely important and might just save you. However, you should check it periodically to ensure that the contents are still good and have not expired.

5-  Update Your Insurance Policy
 If you live in an area with a high risk for floods, whether it be surface floods or coastal, we recommend that you get flood insurance and know what is covered and what is not.

Before:
12-56 hours before the storm/flood will hit you should do:

• Fill all your cars and gas cans with gas.
• Turn off your propane or gas line to minimize the chances of a fire. If you turn off the gas, you will need to call a professional after the flood to turn it back on.
• Remove furniture or other important items from the basement to the upper levels. Items that are too heavy or unable to move to a higher level, try placing them on pallets or blocks to keep them out of the water.
• Freeze water bottles and place them in the fridge or freezer to help minimize loss of food if the power goes out. Bring in your yard toys and furniture.
• Place sand bags around your home or in doorways to prevent water from getting in.
• Unplug your appliances and other electrical devices to prevent damage to them in the event there is a power surge.

During:
When a major flood hits, you will either be advised by government officials whether you should stay in your home or evacuate to a safe place.

There are safety measures you can take to keep you and your family safe. Below is a chart that lists some of the safety tips that should be taken to keep you and your family safe.

After:  

Local authorities will inform you when it is safe to return to your home. If you are lucky and the storm didn’t do much damage to your home there will be very little work that needs to be done. However, if the storm was large scale and a lot of damage occurred then there will be a lot more work that needs to be done. Consider these safety tips when returning to your homes.

• Let friends and family members know that you are safe and that you are planning on returning to your home.
• If you have internet access, register you and your family on the “safe and well” website. (https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.safe.php)
• Continue to listen to the local news, radio channel, and emergency channels for any news and updates.
• Have your kids stay with other friends and family until the site is cleaned up and safe for them to return.
• Be aware of the emotional and mental state of mind of your loved one and yourself. Dealing with a devastation such as a flood can be difficult and stressful.
• Wear the proper safety gear (gloves, hard boots, masks, warm clothing, safety glasses, etc.)
• Be on the alert for snakes or other animals that may have washed into or around your home.
• Watch out for any powerlines that may have fallen and are still “live wire.”
• Document the condition of your home and belongings for your insurance.
• Inspect the home’s condition before entering.
• Help others where you can.

Best Safety Gear to Have to be Prepared for a Flood?