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February 10, 2012

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Flood safety

Submitted by Whitfield County government

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gov. Nathan Deal, in cooperation with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and Georgia’s local emergency management agencies, has proclaimed the week of Feb. 6-10 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia. This annual observance is designed to educate Georgians about weather-related topics, including family preparedness, NOAA weather radios, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning and floods.

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, except fire. In Georgia, many communities experienced severe flooding in 2009 caused by rains and heavy thunderstorms in the spring and fall. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and 10 people lost their lives. Dam failures are potentially the worst flood events. When a dam fails, an enormous quantity of water suddenly rushes downstream, destroying anything in its path.

Floods can be slow or fast rising but generally develop over a period of days. Flash floods usually result from intense storms dropping large amounts of rain within a brief period. They occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak in only a few minutes.

“Neighborhoods located in low-lying areas are especially at risk for flooding. Those near bodies of water or downstream from a dam are vulnerable, too,” says Whitfield County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Claude Craig.

Here is some information to help you develop a plan and be ready to act before the possibility of a flood or flash flood threatens you or your family:           

Know what to expect

• Know your area’s flood risk - if unsure, call your local emergency management agency office or planning and zoning department.  

• If it has rained hard for several hours or rained steadily for several days, prepare for the possibility of flooding.  

• Closely monitor a local radio station, television or NOAA Weather Radio for flood information.  

Reduce potential flood damage by:

• Raising your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.  

• Consulting a professional for further information about damage reduction measures that you can implement.  

Floods can take several hours or 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 or 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.  

Prepare a family disaster plan

• Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, get flood insurance immediately.  

• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places - a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.  

Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing

• First aid kit and essential medications.  

• Canned food and can opener.  

• At least three gallons of water per person per day.  

• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.  

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.  

• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.  

• Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)  

When a flood watch is issued  

• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.  

• Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.  

When a flood warning is issued  

• Closely monitor NOAA weather radio, local radio or television for the latest weather forecasts.

• If told to evacuate, do so immediately!  

When a flash flood watch is issued  

• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.  

 When a flash flood warning is issued  

• Or if you think flooding has begun, 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 through or around barricades ... they are there for your safety.  

• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

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