HOW DO FLOODS OCCUR?

The two key elements to flooding are rainfall intensity and duration. Intensity is the rate of rainfall. Duration is how long the rain lasts.

Rivers, bayous, and streams may overflow their channels and banks. Streets and areas which are normally dry may be submerged. Flooding can be brief, or last for an extended period of time. Rivers and streams can flood areas downstream where there may not have been any particularly heavy rainfall. Storms may continue to develop and travel across the same area repeatedly, causing localized flooding. A single slow moving storm cell may produce very local street flooding in a short period of time, when other areas only a few miles away have no rain at all!

KNOW YOUR AREA'S FLOOD RISK
Contact your insurance agent, or visit www.tsarp.org to use the interactive mapping tool. You can view the new Preliminary FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) in two different ways at www.tsarp.org. The Floodplain Administrator for your community also has official copies of the maps that you can view.

It is important to note that FEMA Preliminary FIRMs do not affect Flood Insurance requirements or costs at this time. However, there are benefits to purchasing flood insurance now because of the grandfathering provision which can help reduce an individual's insurance rate.

When a Flood WATCH is Issued...

• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to relocate on a moment's notice.
• Fill your car's gas tank, in case relocation becomes necessary.
• Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible. If you think flooding has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!

Safety/Personal Protective Measures:

Prepare for the unexpected

In highly flood-prone areas, keep materials on hand like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, lumber, shovels, work boots and gloves. Keep an adequate supply of drinking water, non perishable food and a first aid kit.

Beware of Rising/Swift moving water

Bayous and creeks can rise to dangerous levels in as little as one hour. Man-made features such as stormdrains, fences, and culverts create additional hazards that can snag and drown even the strongest swimmer.

Resources:

FEMA. (2010). Disaster Information: Flood. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

National Safety Council. (2004). Making Our World Safer: Flooding. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from https://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/floods.htm

Tip of the Day:

Do not drive through a flooded area:
More people drown in their cars during a flood, than anywhere else. Nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. Do not drive around road barriers as the road or bridge may be washed out.

Plan for evacuation:
Be mindful that normal routes may be inaccessible due to flooding. Know where you are going and how to get there. Keep your car filled with gas and in good operating condition.

Flood Insurance:
If you live in a flood prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance. Keep all insurance policies and a list of valuable items in a safe place. Make an itemized list of personal property that includes furnishings, clothing, and valuables. Photographs of your home (inside and out) will assist your insurance adjuster in settling claims and will help prove uninsured losses. Put the list and photos in your safe deposit box at the bank

Trivia:

Flooding can occur anywhere at anytime:
Flooding causes an average of 5 billion dollars a year in damages in the United States. Unlike other natural disasters, flooding can occur in any of the 50 states or U.S. territories at anytime of the year

SUV’s are not necessarily safe:
Even though the weight of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) may appear to offer a greater protection in crossing flooded roads, their size and larger tires can make them more buoyant and more prone to being swept away. Bottom Line: It is just as dangerous to drive an SUV through flooded waters as a regular vehicle

Do not walk through moving water
Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you and the depth of the water.