Preparing for a Flood or Hurricane

By Katie

This hurricane season was projected to be a busy one by the NOAA guys back in June, and boy were they right.  The Texas coast was hammered by Hurricane Harvey, and now Irma is trying to prove herself as she approaches Florida and the Atlantic Coast.  I hope none of you have to use this, but here are some tips from past experience and lessons from Harvey on preparing for a flood or hurricane.

Image: Satellite photo of Hurricane Irma by NOAA 

Preparing for a Flood

• Remember, the most important thing is life.  Things can be replaced you can’t.  Don’t do something stupid to save a thing. 
• Evacuate if recommended & you can do so safely.  Take your irreplaceable items with you or put them in a safer location if you cannot (upstairs/on a bed/etc).  
• Don’t forget to take your pets.  IF you can’t - DO NOT leave them tethered or chained to drown.  Give them the ability to save themselves.
• If you don't plan to evacuate, get supplies early.  Consider stocking up on water at the beginning of hurricane season if you're near the coast.  
  • ​Remember:  You want to stock up on stuff with a long shelf life and that doesn't need refrigeration.  I personally don't understand the mad dash for milk and bread for that reason.  Also, don't forget about toilet paper!
    • Suggestions: ​Canned goods (make sure you have a manual can opener), peanut butter, crackers, protein bars, soy curls, freeze-dried fruit, and you're choice of caffeine!
      
  • You can also fill pots and bathtubs with water from your tap to use if needed.
• Let someone know your plan.
• Put an axe in the attic.  If you end up there due to rising waters, you will need it to get to the roof to be visible to rescuers.
• Keep your phone charged & a charger with you.  This is your best lifeline if it is available.
• Get what you can off the floor.  
• If you have important papers in a low drawer, move them now.
• Put furniture legs in bowls, on paint cans, or on bricks to buy a few inches.
• If you have a shop vac, bring it inside.  You can suck up water with it and you won’t have to open the door to get it out of the garage.
• When moving electronics don’t forget to elevate the power cord.

If you find yourself in rising water

• According to FEMA: 
  • Six inches of water reaches the bottom of most passenger cars - Causing loss of control & stalling 
  • 1 foot of water will float many vehicles!
  • 2 feet of rushing water will CARRY AWAY most vehicles, including SUVs & pickups
• DO NOT DRIVE IN HIGH WATER!  Most deaths during these storms are car drownings.
• Do not try to walk through rushing water.  If knee high water can carry away a vehicle, it certainly can sweep you away.  Not to mention, there can be snakes, alligators, and floating balls of hell (aka fire ant rafts).  ​

Fire Ant Rafts/Floatillas

• Go UP!  Get on a counter.  Get upstairs.  Get on your roof.  Do NOT go to your attic unless you have an axe and can use it.  You cannot be rescued if you can’t be seen.
• Call the numbers provided for rescue.  If you don’t know any or it is truly a life threatening emergency, call 911.  If it keeps ringing, do not hang up - you will lose your place in line.  
• If you know of neighbors who might need assistance (elderly, disabled, etc), let someone know.  
• When you get to high ground, do not return to your home until you are cleared to go back.  There can be dangerous debris, downed power lines, etc. 
• Reserve a storage unit.  You will likely need one and they will go quick. 
• If you know your car will be submerged, you will need to get a rental ASAP.  They will go fast.
• When it’s all over…. click here for tips on what to do next.