WHAT TO DO
• Don’t drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. A car can be carried away by just 2 feet of flood water.
• Look out for animals—especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too.
• Floodwaters may carry raw sewage, chemical waste and other disease-spreading substances. If you’ve come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.
• Avoid walking through floodwaters. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
• Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest storm information.
• If local authorities instruct you to do so, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.
• If told to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
• If the waters start to rise inside your house before you have evacuated, retreat to the second floor, the attic, and if necessary, the roof.
Source: FEMA, www.fema.gov
