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Safety in a flood

FLOOD SAFETY PROCEDURES

 

If you live in a flood zone, you should have a disaster plan ready:

• Have a disaster plan ready
• Make pre-arranged plans for safe removal of pets and livestock
• Store valuables in a safe place off-site
• Have an overnight bag packed
• Have phone numbers of safe places to stay in the event of evacuation
• Have your town's 24 hour emergency line phone number available
• Be prepared for power cuts and loss of phone service
• Move pets and vehicles to a safe area
• Place a sandbag over the toilet bowl
• Raise furniture and possessions off the floor
• Ventilate the property
• Plug sinks and bathtubs

Evacuation orders

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home
unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.

• If you are ordered to evacuate, take your emergency kit, essential medications,
  copies of prescriptions and a cellular phone (if you have one) with you.
• If you have time, call or e-mail your out-of-town contact.
  Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
  Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.
• If you have time, leave a note telling others when you left and where you are.
• Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
• Leave natural gas service 'on' unless officials tell you to turn it off.
  (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it.
  In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond.
  You would be without gas for heating and cooking).
• Plan to take your pets with you to a relative or friend's home,
  or identify a "pet-friendly" hotel or pet boarding facilities
  or emergency shelter in advance.
• Lock your home.

If in any doubt of your safety,
take measures to protect yourself
and call 911 immediately.