Flood Safety

May 30, 2018

Learn flood tips to keep you and your family safe

Floods kill more Americans each year than any other natural disaster. Only 6 inches of fast moving water could sweep a person off their feet and cars can become buoyant in about 2 feet of water. In addition to heavy rainfall, floods are caused by melting snow and rising rivers, lakes and streams. Listed below are helpful tips and information about floods to keep you and your family safe.

Staying Ahead of the Flood:

Know your flood risk elevation and routes
Visit the floods section of FEMA’s website to determine your risk at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search
If you live near the Scioto River, you can monitor the water gauge at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?03221000
Pay close attention to water levels during heavy rain
Avoid flood prone areas
Never let children play close to creeks or storm drains

In the Event of a Flash Flood:

Get to higher ground
Never drive into flooded areas
If your vehicle stalls in water, abandon it and get to higher ground

After a Flood:

Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe
Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from flood water can contain sewage and chemicals.
http://www.improvenet.com/a/cleaning-up-your-home-after-a-flood

What is your flood risk profile?

Knowing your relative flood risk level can help you assess your risk of financial loss. Click here to determine your flood risk.

O’Shaughnessy / Scioto River Gauge

Check these stations after a rain event. Compare variations in flow at different points on a stream, on the same day. Note the rates of rising and falling.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?03221000