Disaster Tips

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Flood Watch versus Flood Warning; What's the Difference?

A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
If 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.
Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.

A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
If a flood warning is issued:

Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
If you think the flood has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly, and 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.

Before a Flood:

Know What to Expect

Know your area's flood risk. If you are unsure, call your local municipality emergency management office, or planning and zoning department.
Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance. Always keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.

Reduce Potential Flood Damage

Raise your furnace, water heater, or electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may become flooded.
Consult a professional for further information about other damage reduction measures that should be taken.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

Contents should include:

A first aid kit and essential medications
Canned food and a can opener
At least three gallons of water per person
Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags
A battery-powered radio, flashight, 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.

Also, make sure to identify where you should go if told to evacuate. Think of several places so that you have different options. A friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter are all possibilities.

Water and Food Spoilage Safety Tips

Get rid of food, or anything else that could go bad, immediately. Do not let garbage build up. Garbage piles will cause yet another health hazard by attracting animals and insects.
Throw out any food that has been touched by floodwaters. Even food in tin cans and cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes should be discarded if the containers got wet during the flood because there is no way to be certain the food inside is safe.
Do not eat food packed in plastic, paper, cloth and similar containers that have been water damaged. Other food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps.
Carefully inspect canned foods that you think have not been touched by floodwaters. Discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.
Do not take chances with frozen food if electricity went off unless it is still thoroughly frozen and contains ice crystals. As a rule, food will remain frozen for up to 3 days in a closed freezer without power. Do not refreeze thawed food. However, you can cook meat that was partially thawed and then refreeze it.
If you are unsure about your water supply, only use it to hose down your home for sanitation purposes. Buy bottled water for drinking if you can. Public water suppliers usually provide clean water to communities after a flood, or a "boil order" may be issued.
Store any clean water you receive in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers Never use a container that has been touched by floodwaters or has held other toxic substances. Seal water cotainers tightly, label them and store them in a cool, dark place.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates a food safety hotline. If you have questions about whether to keep or discard food, call 1-800-535-4555 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. A professional home economist will answer your questions.