Disaster Preparedness: FloodOf all the disasters that happen in the U.S. (like hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, stormsystems, and a myriad of others), none are quite so common as flooding. Both flooding andflash flooding happen in all 50 states, and virtually everyone lives in a flood zone, thoughthe severity of the danger can vary greatly. Every year, flooding causes over 2 billion dollarsof property damage, and kills approximately 200 people.Although flooding is so common, it is still the leading cause of weather-related deathsworldwide--and not just because of drowning, either. Flooding upsets electrical panels andpower lines, often causing fires or electricity-related deaths. It can also spread disease andspoil food and water, resulting in people dying of sickness and malnutrition.Despite all of these dangers and statistics, however, floods are very manageable if peoplewill just take the time to inform themselves and prepare. As always, the first step tosurviving any disaster is to be knowledgeable about all the possibilities and terms thatsurround it. In the case of flooding, people should understand the difference between flashfloods and floods, and between a watch and a warning.While flood waters tend to rise slowly and typically as a result of river overflow or snowmelt,flash floods occur suddenly and are usually in the form of a ten to twenty foot wall of watercarrying dangerous debris that it has swept up. A flood or flash flood watch is a generalizedmessage that tells people that in the next six hours or so, they need to be wary of anyexcessive rainfall.In the case of a flash flood, any people who live in a flash flood zone need to securethemselves, their families, and their property to brace against any sudden flooding. Awarning, on the other hand, means that a flood or flash flood is imminent and that peopleshould evacuate when told to do so, and should seek higher ground.Knowing these terms will help people survive flooding, but this without any otherpreparation will not be as helpful as taking steps to get ready for the disaster. The firstthing to do in preparation is to have a plan. In order to do this successfully, every memberof the household must fully understand what to do in case of a flood.Everyone should know of at least two meeting places (inside and outside of theneighborhood), an out-of-state contact should be established, and each person should knowwhere all the emergency supplies are located in their house, workplace, and/or school.Once a plan has been established and all possibilities have been accounted for, then it istime to prepare an emergency kit. Many people falsely believe that all they need is a72-hour emergency kit. And while of course having three days’ worth of first aid suppliesand food and water is better than having none at all, these days, authorities like FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommend having at least two weeks’ worth ofsupplies on hand in order to plan for any disaster.Any emergency kit should first have a first aid kit, since injury is imminent during a naturaldisaster. These first aid kits should have, at minimum, supplies like bandages, antisepticwipes, over-the-counter pain medication, splints, gauze pads, a thermometer, and anyother prescription medications or special supplies a particular person might need. Thesesupplies can either be gathered manually or purchased altogether at emergencypreparedness businesses, like The Ready Store.Besides the first aid, it’s also crucial to have two weeks’ worth of food and water, asdiscussed above. The water is of particular importance, first because humans cannot livewithout it for a much shorter time than they can food, and second because in the event offlooding, it is very possible that the disaster could damage water mains or reservoirs. Thiscould leave whole cities or counties without any drinkable water, so it is important to beself-sufficient in this case.Finally, every emergency kit should also include some source of light (i.e. flashlights,candles and lightsticks), sleeping bags and some form of shelter, and water purifyingdevices (including tablets and filters). These are the general supplies that every personshould have with them, just in case. However, there are more specific needs that peoplemay have to fulfill, which would result in extra supplies in their emergency kits. Some

examples of this include needing baby food, diapers, and prescription medication or medicalequipment.More supplies that are essential to an emergency flood kit are personal hygiene supplies(including soap and toothpaste), rubber boots and gloves, and insect repellent for after theflood when the mosquitoes and other bugs being to breed in the stagnant water. Besides allof this, it’s also a good idea to keep similar supplies in the car, in case that’s where peopleend up at the time of the flood. Emergency car kits should also include flares, jumpercables, maps, and tools in addition to all the previously mentioned supplies.Although all this may seem intimidating, getting emergency kits can really be very simple.It’s both more convenient and usually cheaper to purchase the kits ready-made from anemergency preparedness store like The Ready Store than to buy them all individually.While these first few steps are perhaps the most important, it is also important toremember to prepare the home as well as the people living in it. Waterproof the placesbelow the flood zone and elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel. Also secureat least copies of important documents like marriage and birth certificates, insurancepolicies, and wills in a waterproof safe.Once someone is mentally and physically prepared for a flood, the last thing they need to dois wait. Be constantly on the lookout for any heavy rainfall, and especially stay informed bylistening to emergency news and radio. If a flood warning and evacuation order is actuallycalled, the most important thing to do is move to higher ground. If there is time, move inoutdoor furniture and secure other items inside the house. Take only the essentials andremember: there may not be time to pack a bunch of necessities, which is why it is soimportant to have emergency kits at the ready.While evacuating, stay away from already flooded areas. Because the water will be muddyor murky, there will be no way to tell whether the water is six inches or six feet deep. Andpeople have been swept away by just six inches of moving water before, so there is noguarantee of safety if someone enters flood waters. Along a similar vein, many cars can beswept away by just six inches of water. If someone is driving when a flood warning isannounced, they should also avoid already flooded areas, and head to higher ground aswell. If water begins to flow around the car and the engine stalls, leave it unless it isimmediately unsafe to do so. Many, if not most, flood deaths are related to vehicles--eitherpeople become trapped inside or they are swept away while trying to move their stalled car.Upon exiting the car, move to higher ground as quickly as possible.Once a flood is over, it’s still imperative that people stay away from water. This time it isnot so much because the water can sweep them away, but because the water will bestagnant and likely carrying disease. Flood water can also have dangerous chemicals orcould even be electrically charged, depending on what it has run through. Enter homes andbusinesses only when authorities have said it’s okay. Throw away any food that has comeinto contact with the flood. This is where having food and water storage comes in handy.Finally, the last thing to worry about is any property damage. Once everyone in thehousehold has successfully weathered the flood, then it is time to examine property andtake pictures of any damage for insurance purposes. Check for gas, sewage, or water pipeleaks. When all these steps are followed and caution is executed, extreme injury andproperty damage can be avoided, and flooding can be just a minor disaster for those whoare prepared.