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The force of flood waters is easily underestimated.
Considering the destructive forces involved, residents should follow the
recommendations listed below to decrease the potential of injury due to
flooding.
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Do not walk through flooding water.
Drowning Is the number one cause of flood deaths. Currents can be deceptive;
six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
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Do not drive through a flooded
area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else
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Don’t drive around barriers; the
road or bridge may be washed out
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Stay away from power lines and
electrical wires. Electric current can travel through water
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Turn off electric circuits and
disconnect switches. Have your electricity turned off by the power company
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Shut off gas valves on your
property. Be alert for gas leaks. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or
open flames unless you know that all of the gas has been ventilated.
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Look before you step. After a
flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken
bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be
very slippery.
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If your property is located on the
waterfront or in areas prone to flooding, plan to leave!
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Delaying departure can result in being cut off
from evacuation routes by rising water.
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Property
Protection Measures
Every year, flooding in the United States
causes more property damage than any other type of natural disaster. While
recent improvements in construction practices and regulations have made new
homes less prone to flood damage, there are a significant number of existing
homes susceptible to flood loses. The flooding to these properties can be
minimized through temporary and permanent retrofitting techniques.
Three steps to
protecting your property from flood damages are:
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Construct a floodwall or earthen berm. This method is accepted if you have a
large lot, if the flooding isn’t too deep, and if your property is not in the
floodway. Check with the Code Enforcement Department for permitting
information.
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Waterproof your walls and place watertight closures over the doorways. This
method should not be used on homes with basements or if water will rise to
over two feet deep.
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Raise your house above the flood level.
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