American Red Cross Flood Preparedness Tips

• Know your area’s flood risk – if unsure, call your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office, or planning and zoning department.
  
• If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
  
• Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.

• 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.

• Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
  
• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

• First aid kit and essential medications.
  
• Canned food and can opener.
  
• At least three gallons of water per person.
  
• 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.)
  
• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places … a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
  
• Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

• Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

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

• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately.
  
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades … they are there for your safety.
  
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.