Whether you are driving or walking if you come to a flooded road,
Turn Around Don’t Drown® , You will not know the depth of the water, nor will you know the condition of the road under the water.
Why are there so many fatalities from flooding?
Most people fail to realize the power of water. For example, six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet.
While the number of fatalities can vary dramatically with weather conditions from year to year, the national 30-year average for flood deaths is 127. That compares with a 30-year average of 73 deaths for lightning, 65 for tornadoes and 16 for hurricanes.
PREPARE FOR A FLOOD
Go to : https://msc.fema.gov/portal Enter your address and this will show the flood potential for your residence.
►Sign up for Union County CODE Red to receive alerts on your phone/Email and texts.
►Learn and practice evacuation routes and know where shelters are located.
►Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately.
►Obtain flood insurance.
►Keep documents in a waterproof container on in a digital format.
►Declutter drains and gutters and move valuable items to higher levels in your home.
SURVIVE DURING A FLOOD
►Monitor media/ Code RED for information.
►If instructed evacuate as directed.
►Do not walk, swim or drive through flooded areas.
►Stay away from bridges or stream banks as they can wash out without warning.
►IF your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water stay in vehicle as long as possible then evacuate to the roof as the last resort.
►IF trapped in a building seek shelter at the highest point in the building.
AFTER A FLOOD
►Monitor media and CODE Red for information and follow the published directions.
►Avoid driving except in emergencies.
►Avoid wading in flood waters as they may contain dangerous debris and be contaminated.
►Be aware of potential downed live powerlines in flood areas.
►If you do use a generator, make sure you follow all generator use safety guidelines.
►Wear gloves and boots during clean up to avoid contact with contaminates.