Floods

Graham County Sheriff's Department
Hill City, Kansas U.S.A. - Don E. Scott, Sheriff

Floods KILL More People Each Year Than Any Other Natural Disaster!

Before A Flood Occurs - Prepare!

Do you live or work in a flood plain? Check the incidence of flooding in your area by contacting an expert source like your local American Red Cross Chapter for your chapter number or check the business listing of your white pages.

Be Informed
Determine your flood insurance eligibility now. Damage caused by floods and high wind peril are often not covered in regular homeowners insurance. Find out more from:

Your insurance agent

National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242)

The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146)

NOAA Weather Radio
The Voice of the National Weather Service
WWF87
Lenora, Kansas
162.425 mhz

Warning the public of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is the National Weather Service's (NWS) most important job. To help the public prepare for dangerous weather situations, the NWS has adopted a WATCH and WARNING program.

Be Prepared
Be realistic about the use of sand bags. It takes one person an hour to fill and properly place 50 bags, but it may take as many as 1,000 sand bags to create a strong wall only three feet high and 20 feet long.
Make home improvements to reduce loss. Consider installing check valves in your plumbing to prevent flood water back-up and moving your appliances to higher ground to prevent costly replacements

Develop a Family Disaster Plan that includes the following:

Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a flood warning is issued.

Update these plans every school year, and as places of employment and residence change.

Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit. These contents can be assembled over a five-month period on a weekly basis, and all perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months. For more information on assembling and refreshing supplies, contact the American Red Cross for their Disaster Supplies Kit brochure.

Immediately Before The Flood
Outside

Bring in any outdoor items that might cause damage or be lost if flooded.

You do not want to go into flood waters to retrieve them.

If you are not at home, go to high ground and wait.

Immediately Before The Flood

Inside

Scrub bathtubs and sinks with bleach, then rinse and fill them and any extra bottles with clean water for sanitary use in case the water supply becomes contaminated.

Use this time to move your valuable possessions to the highest levels of the house or to the safest area.

If instructed by authorities to evacuate, turn off water and electric at the main valve or switch.

During A Flash Flood Or Flood

The decisions you make now are critical!
Surviving A Flash Flood
There many be no time for a warning to be issued. You may have only seconds to escape. It could be a life-and-death decision for you and your family.

If you suspect a flash flood is about to happen -- immediately climb to higher ground.

Remember, it does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur. Some of the most dangerous floods originate many miles away. See what happens when people are caught unawares by flash floods.

Surviving A Flood

If on foot, do not attempt to walk through flood waters. Instead, turn around and go directly to higher ground.

Make sure to keep children and pets away from flood waters, storm drains, and sewers.

If your are in a car, drive away from flooded areas -- never try to take a shortcut through them.

If your car stalls, immediately abandon it and climb to higher ground.

If No Evacuation Has Been Ordered

Collect your Family Disaster Supplies Kit plus extra blankets and sleeping bags and keep them with you.

Call your emergency contact person to report your plans.

Keep children and pets indoors.

Make sure you have cash and your car has a full tank of gas in case you must evacuate.

Make sure battery-powered radio is nearby.

If Evacuation Is Advised

Turn off all utilities (water and electric).

Pack your Family Disaster Supplies Kit plus extra blankets and sleeping bags.

Lock the windows and doors of your home before leaving.

Tune your car radio to a news station to hear updates on evacuation routes.

Be sure to follow the recommended evacuation routes. Your favorite shortcuts may already be blocked by flood waters.

After The Flood

It's important to wait until your local emergency personnel have announced it's safe to return home. Then, use only recommended routes, and take the following steps:

How To Help Injured Others
Help injured or trapped persons. If you have a cellular phone, try to call for help. Call 911 immediately if there are life threatening injuries.

Beware Of Hazards

Be watchful and enter your home very carefully. Keep in mind that more than 150 people died in the cleanup effort after Hurricane Andrew.

Watch for snakes and other animals forced into your home by flood waters.

To prevent accidental fires,use flashlights, not candles, to see if power is on or off after a flood.

Look for fire hazards.

Keep children and pets inside. If pets must be walked outside, make sure they are leashed.

Repairing The Damage

Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing as you begin cleaning up.

Check for structural damage such as loose plaster or damaged ceilings.

Throw away all foods, including canned goods, that have come into contact with flood waters; they may be tainted.

Check your electricity and water. If you suspect a gas leak, consult a professional immediately. If you suspect structural damage in your home, have a professional check your water, gas, electric, and sewer lines.

**Click For Larger Map**

Assess Psychological Effects

In addition to the obvious physical damage, floods can sometimes cause emotional trauma and distress. Crisis counseling can help.

Should you or your family need or desire crisis counseling, contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information about resources in your area.

Address your problems one at a time. Preparation may help you save lives and avoid injury. The rest can be rebuilt.

Check Out Other Information Resources

American Red Cross

Your city or municipal Emergency Managment Agency (EMA)


FLASH FLOOD SAFETY PREPARING FOR A FLOOD At home or work: Determine if you are in a flood-prone area. If you are, know where to go if the water starts to rise. Have an escape route if you have to leave quickly. Make a safety kit containing: A flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and commercial radio, extra food and water, first-aid supplies. Know how and when to shut off utilities: Electricity, gas, and water. When traveling or outdoors: Know the counties, towns, major highways, and rivers and creeks along and near your route, so you will know if you are heading toward a flood. Carry a NOAA weather radio in your car or boat or wherever you go. Check the weather forecast before a trip or outdoor activity. Choose campsites AWAY from creeks and other low-lying areas. Be especially cautious at night, when dangerous rising water is more difficult to detect. IF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED Get to higher ground immediately! Follow evacuation instructions, but don't wait for them. If you are in a vehicle, do not drive across flooded roads or bridges. They may be washed out. It takes only a foot or two of rapidly-moving water to sweep away a car. If your vehicle stalls in water, abandon it and get to higher ground.

Safe Plan!

American Red Cross Family
Weather Emergency Plan
Develop a Family Weather Emergency Plan that includes the following ...

Disaster Plan

Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a flood, severe thunderstorm, or tornado warning is issued.

Update these plans every school year and as places of employment and residence change.

Disaster Supply Kit

Be sure everyone in the family knows where your Family Disaster Supply Kit is located.

During exteme heat, be sure and include the following to your Kit: extra water or juice, sunscreen, and wide brimmed hats.

Communication Plans

Designate a friend or relative outside your town or area as your family contact in the event you are separated from family members during a flood, tornado, or in case a storm knocks out your electricity.

In the case of a tropical storm or hurricane, designate someone outside the area affected by the tropical storm or hurricane as your family contact.

Agree upon a place where the family members can meet if separated.

Evacuation Plans

Get a good map and plan various evacuation routes, avoiding low-lying areas. This is especially valuable in the event of flooding from rivers, streams, tropical storms, or flash floods.

Do several test runs of different routes.

In the event of a flash flood, remember that you will not be able to evacuate. Instead, immediately seek higher ground.

For times of extreme heat, identify locations where you can escape sweltering conditions for hours at a time: a mall, a movie theater, or the home of a friend or relative.

Your Family Pet Plan
For preparedness information, contact your local Red Cross chapter. Included are related sites and a brochure on caring for your pet during an emergency.

**American Red Cross Family Disaster Supplies Kit**
These contents can be assembled over a five month period on a weekly basis, and perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months. For more information on assembling and refreshing supplies, contact the American Red Cross for their Disaster Supplies kit brochure. Be sure to develop a complete Family Weather Emergency Plan!
Print Out This List And Keep It Handy! Essentials: Battery-operated radio Flashlight Extra batteries (Do not include candles, which cause more fires after a disaster than anything else.) Water: 3 gallons/person, minimum, in a food-grade, plastic container Additional water for sanitation Food:Minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, or preparation, and little or no water, for example: Dry cereal Peanut butter Canned fruits Canned vegetables Canned juice Quick energy snacks, graham crackers Ready-to-eat canned meats Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated) First Aid Kit:(one for your home and one for each car) Scissors Sunscreen Thermometer Tweezers Needle Cleansing agent/soap Latex gloves (2 pairs) Tongue blades (2) Moistened towelettes Assorted sizes of safety pins Triangular bandages (3) Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant 2" sterile gauze pads (4-6) 4" sterile gauze pads (4-6) 2" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) 3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes Important Family Documents: Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records Record of credit card account numbers and companies Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) Record of bank account numbers Inventory of valuable household goods Important telephone numbers Extra eye glasses Contact lenses and supplies Heart and high blood pressure medication Entertainment: Games and books Family Medical Needs: Insulin Prescription drugs Denture needs Extra eye glasses Contact lenses and supplies Heart and high blood pressure medication	Non-Prescription Drugs: Laxative Anti-diarrhea medication Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever Antacid (for stomach upset) Activated Charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center) Tools and Supplies: Whistle Aluminum foil Crowbar Compass Paper, pencil Plastic sheeting Medicine dropper Needles, thread Signal flare Matches in a waterproof container Assorted nails, wood screws Pliers, screwdriver, hammer Plastic storage containers Heavy cotton or hemp rope Cash or traveler's checks, change Non-electric can opener, utility knife Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils Tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires Map of the area (for locating shelters) Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water Sanitation: Disinfectant Household chlorine bleach Soap, liquid detergent Personal hygiene items Feminine supplies Plastic bucket with tight lid Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) Clothing and Bedding: Sunglasses Rain gear Hat and gloves Sturdy shoes or work boots Blankets or sleeping bags Thermal underwear One complete change of clothing and footwear per person For Baby: Formula Diapers Bottles Medication Powdered milk For Pet: Food Leash, harness or carrier Records of vaccinations Non-tippable food and water containers

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FLASH FLOOD SAFETY

PREPARING FOR A FLOOD

At home or work:

When traveling or outdoors:

IF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED