Safety Tips Before a Flood

In late October this year, several areas of Texas experienced flooding and other severe weather phenomenon that caused damage and even death. A band of storms spawned numerous other weather events like tornadoes and floods, causing devastating property losses in the region as well as 5 deaths attributed to weather-related disasters.

When flash floods strike, you’re already behind the eight ball when it comes to protecting the lives of you and your family. If you live in flood-prone areas especially, it’s important to prepare you, your loved ones, and your property before the flood hits. Be ready before the flood by following a few of these safety tips.

• Know Your Risk. Different areas can be more prone to floods or flash floods. Texas is a low-lying state, which puts it at a higher risk than, say, Colorado.  If you're not certain contact the local National Weather Service office, Red Cross chapter, or Emergency Management Agency.
  

• Get Flood Insurance. Standard insurance coverages usually don’t include flood, so if you live in an area prone to flooding, it’s important to review your insurance and purchase additional flood insurance if need be.
  

• Invest in a Water-Tight Safe. Documents such as your insurance plans, social security cards, vital records, and other items should be stored in a water-proof safe. This way, if a flash flood does occur, you will still have your necessary documents available in order to make the recovery process a little easier.
  

• Prepare an Evacuation Plan. Do regular drills (about once a year) of your evacuation plan to ensure that you and your family are ready at a moment’s notice to seek shelter in the quickest, safest way possible.
  

• Fill Your Tank. If you know that a flood may occur in the next few days, drive your car to a gas station (before bad weather arrives) and fill up your tank. Flooding could impact whether or not the pumps will work at your gas stations, and you’ll want to make sure that you can get where you need to go once the flood waters subside.
  

• Gather First Aid. Different items such as your regular medications should be added to a standard first aid kit a few days before the expected bad weather in order to ensure that you and your family have the items you need should disaster strike.
  

Remember that power could be cut off for days in the case of flooding, so keep portable versions of all standard items such as light and heating elements available. Stock food items that don’t require refrigeration, and watch the Weather Channel for updates on the weather situation at hand.