Preparing for a Flood

Do you know the flood risk of where you work or live? If you live on a flood plain, you're probably aware of the risks. A flood plain is an area near a body of water, such as a river, that floods periodically. It may not flood every year, but it will flood some years.

If you don't work or live in a flood plain, you might still face the risk of a flood. Studies show that more than a quarter of flood damage occurs outside the identified flood plains. These additional flood-prone areas include land along creeks, streams, canals, lakes or ocean bays and other kinds of waterways. Floods can also be caused by excessive rainfall, rapid snowmelt, hurricanes, landslides, broken dams or levees and other causes.

Here are 5 steps you can take to prepare for a flood:

1. Find out if the place where you work or live is below the flood stage water level. Learn about floods that occurred in the past.

2. Become familiar with flood warning signs and the flood alert signals for your workplace and community (see below).

3. Take part in evacuation drills with co-workers and family.

4. Keep a kit of emergency water, food and supplies - the same ones you would have on hand for any other disaster, such as an earthquake. A first aid kit is important for this or any emergency.

5. Stockpile building materials and tools for emergency flood-proofing. You'll need plywood, plastic sheets, hammer, nails, saw, shovels, pry-bar and sandbags.

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FLOOD WARNING GLOSSARY

FLOOD WATCH: Prepare to evacuate

FLOOD WARNING: Evacuate if told

FLASH FLOOD WARNING: Get to high ground at once

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