During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Prepare for a Flood
FACT SHEET
Prepare for a Flood During Severe Weather Awareness Week
Severe Weather Awareness Week in Louisiana is a good time to prepare for floods. On average, a flood-related disaster occurs once a year in Louisiana. Residents continue to recover from the major floods the state experienced in 2016. Important tips for flood preparedness are listed below:
Before a Flood
Document items and contents in your home in photos.
Place important papers and documents such as driver’s licenses, social security cards, passports, birth certificates, vehicle registration cards and insurance policies in a waterproof, portable container.
Consider buying flood insurance. Know your flood risk. See msc.fema.gov/portal to know the flood risk in your area and see www.floodsmart.gov for information about risk and rates.
Make a flood emergency plan. For tips see www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Important items include flashlights, battery-powered radios, batteries, cash and first aid supplies.
Should you need to get to higher ground, know where to go and how to get there.
In the event of an evacuation order, choose several temporary places to stay. These can include the homes of relatives and friends, a hotel or a shelter.
Prepare Your Home for Flooding
Bring outdoor furniture inside. Move important indoor items to the highest floor in the structure.
Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.
If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve. This helps prevent fires and explosions.
Consider elevating appliances such as water heaters and electrical equipment.
Stay Updated and Aware
For weather updates, emergency instructions and evacuation orders, stay tuned to your phone alerts and TV or radio. Severe weather information is also available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at www.noaa.gov.
Follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at www.blog.fema.gov.
Download the FEMA app at www.fema.gov/mobile-app. The app provides disaster resources, weather alerts, safety tips, maps of open shelters and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Go to www.Ready.gov for more details.
Follow the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness social media at twitter.com/gohsep, www.facebook.com/GOHSEP and www.youtube.com/user/GOHSEP.
Download Alert FM from iTunes and Google Play. For a description go to www.alertfm.com/products/mobile-applications.
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