With winter winding down (finally!) – our thoughts are turning to spring and summer, and some of the damaging rain and storms that come with the changing seasons. Certain areas of the US are already seeing flooding from some of these storms, so we wanted to share some tips from the FEMA website for staying safe during a flood.

How to react if a flood is occurring near your home:

  • Listen to the radio or TV for information
  • Be aware of flash flooding, if there is a possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground
  • Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas prone to flash flooding.

If you must evacuate, attempt the following:

  • Secure your home as much as possible. Bring outdoor items indoors, and move essential items to a higher floor
  • Turn off utilities and the main shutoff points. Disconnect as many electrical appliances as possible. Do NOT touch electrical equipment if you’re in standing water.
  • Do not walk through moving water. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to make you fall.
  • Use a stick or cane to check ground firmness where you are walking
  • Do not drive in flooded areas. Flood waters can sweep you and your vehicle away quickly

Driving in Flooded Areas

  • If you find yourself driving in flood conditions, be aware that only 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars and can cause stalling
  • A foot of water will float many vehicles
  • Two feet of rushing water is enough to float away even heavy SUV’s and Trucks

We hope you never need to use these tips, but it pays to be aware of the dangers of flooding before they happen!

If you happen to have your own website or blog, you can add some cool widgets provided by FEMA by going to their site here and downloading them.

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