Floods can be a serious hazard in many places, especially during heavy rains. Floodwaters can cause serious damage to property and homes, as well as death if they reach vehicles or other vehicles.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your property. Here are five flood safety tips:
Don't Drive Into a Flooding Area
If floodwaters rise from your vehicle, get out immediately. If you can't get your car out, get up and move to higher ground. Your vehicle may be quickly washed away. Floodwater is dangerous for pedestrians.
Barricades to Watch
Avoid driving around barricades. They're used by local authorities to direct traffic. If the road is inundated, they can be hazardous to cross.
Obey Evacuation Orders
Follow evacuation instructions carefully if given by authorities. Radio stations can provide updated information. You will be asked to leave your home if it is instructed.
Turn off utilities and disconnect electrical appliances if necessary. This will prevent any contaminated water from getting into your pipes.
Plan your family's emergency preparedness
Timothy Satty MD assistant professor emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School explains how to prepare a plan for each family member and pet in the event that there is an evacuation. The plan should describe how the family will communicate with each other, where each person will be in case of an evacuation, and what emergency supplies they will have.
A Flood Disaster Supply Kit is essential
Consider packing a bag containing personal items for each member of your family in case flooding is likely. Timothy Satty recommends that you include non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication.
Keep in touch
You can monitor NOAA Weather Radio to see current and forecasted conditions for your area or follow social media outlets for any updates. You can also access emergency information via local radio and television stations, or the emergency alerting system in your community.
Purchase a Battery-Operated radio
Radio is your main source for information about the situation. Jaclyn R. Rothenberg, FEMA director of public affairs, tells SELF radio can help people decide where they want to go.
Observe Land Features
It is essential to know where your family lives, works and plays. Jaclyn Rotenberg, SELF's senior editor, said this is critical for identifying potential flood zones. This would include areas with low water levels, drainage ditches or river banks, bridges as well storm drains or culverts.
Watch out for flash-flood alerts and watches that are issued when water levels will rise quickly. These can be very frightening and scary, but they do not have to be a disaster for you or your family.
Floods are preventable by adapting your home
Floods can be avoided by making sure your home waterproof and well-built. Timothy Satty also suggests adding some space to your home in case of an emergency,
FAQ
Why basic survival skills are important
You may not always have access to food and water, but if you're prepared for an emergency situation, then you'll survive much longer.
You must learn how to take care of yourself and others. If you don’t know what to do, you will not last long in times of crisis.
If you're going into the wilderness, you will need to be able to build shelters, make fires, and find food.
These are all essential skills that everyone should know. These skills will help you stay safe and healthy during a camping trip.
What is the most vital item to survive?
Food is the most essential thing to survive. Shelter from the elements and food are also essential. You won't live long if you don't eat.
Why are basic survival skills important?
Basic survival skills include knowing how to protect yourself, make fire, build shelter, hunt, and fish. These skills are essential no matter where we live, but they become even more critical when traveling alone or in remote areas.
Survival skills include navigation, self defense, self-defense as well wilderness medicine. They are essential life-saving tools that should always be available before venturing into unknown territory.
While you may not have the time or resources to learn these skills, there are many other useful skills that could be of benefit. For example, if you plan on spending your vacation hiking through the mountains, learn some mountaineering techniques if you plan to go camping in the desert, learn how to survive in extreme temperatures. There are many ways you can prepare for any situation. So don't be afraid of trying new skills.
Statistics
- We know you're not always going to be 100% prepared for the situations that befall you, but you can still try and do your best to mitigate the worst circumstances by preparing for a number of contingencies. (hiconsumption.com)
- so you can be 100 percent hands-free, and there's less chance you'll put your torch down and lose it. (nymag.com)
- The downside to this type of shelter is that it does not generally offer 360 degrees of protection and unless you are diligent in your build or have some kind of tarp or trash bags, it will likely not be very resistant to water. (hiconsumption.com)
- The Dyrt PRO gives 40% campground discounts across the country (thedyrt.com)
External Links
How To
How to Build a Lean-To Shelter
The United States has many small structures called lean-tos. They are typically made from wood or metal poles covered by tarps, canvas, plastic sheeting, or corrugated roofing material. The walls, floor and ceiling are often built first. After that, the roof is added.
Lean-tos are temporary shelters that are built to the side of buildings when the weather isn't allowing for permanent shelter. It may also be referred to as a "lean-to shed," "lean-to cabin," or "lean-to house."
There are many types of lean-tos, including:
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A simple wooden frame with an overhang of tarpaulin. This type is often seen in rural areas.
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A lean-to tent consisting of a framework of poles supporting a tarpaulin.
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A lean to cabin, also known by the "cabin-on frame", is a structure that consists of a platform supported on beams and posts.
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A lean to shed, also known as "shelter–on-a-pole” or "paddock shed", is a structure of poles and supports that has a cover.
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A lean-to garage, also known as a "garage on-stilts" (or "overhang"), is a steel frame that rests on concrete stilts.
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A lean to studio is also known by the names "studio-on a-frame" and "studio-on a-post". It consists a framework consisting of two parallel horizontal members, (posts), as well as one perpendicular member.
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A lean-to greenhouse, also called a "greenhouse-on-a-post," consists of three parallel horizontal members (posts), one perpendicular member (beam), and a canopy.