Prolonged rainfall over several days can cause a river or stream to overflow and flood the surrounding area. A flash flood after intense rainfall of one inch or more per hour often catches people unprepared.

Regardless, the rule for being safe is simple: head for the high ground and stay away from the water. Even  a shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force than most people imagine. The most dangerous thing you can do is to try walking, swimming, or driving your care through swift water.

Still, you can take steps to prepare for these types of emergencies. Hold a family meeting and discuss your Family Disaster Plan for a flood.

Family Disaster Plan

1. Know what to expect.
   • Know your neighborhood’s flood risk – if unsure, call your local Red Cross chapter.
   • If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
   • Listen to local radio or television stations for flood information.
   • Floods can take several hours to days to develop –
     • A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
     • A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
   • Flash floods can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop –
     • A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area.
     • A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon.
2. Prepare a Family Disaster Kit –
   • Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to see if it covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
   • Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
   • Assemble an Emergency Supplies Kit containing –
     • First aid kit and essential medications,
     • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries,
     • Canned food and can opener,
     • Bottled water, and
     • Rubber boots and rubber gloves.
   • Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places ... a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
3. When a flood WATCH is issued –
   • Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home.
   • Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
4. When a flood WATCH is issued – listen to local radio or television stations for information and advise. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
5. When a flash flood WATCH is issued – be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
6. When a flash flood WARNING is issued –
   • Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
   • Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do NOT drive around barricades ... they are there for your safety.
   • If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. 

And remember, when a tornado, earthquake, flood, fire, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family.

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