You can protect yourself from flood hazards by taking measures to ensure the safety of life and property before, during, and after a flood occurs. If evacuation becomes necessary, be sure that you turn off all utility services at the main connection.
Follow these additional tips to further protect yourself:
- Do not walk through flowing water: Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to see how deep the water is.
- Do not drive through a flooded area: More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridges further down the road may be may be washed out.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires: The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electric current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the electricity provider or the county Emergency Management Office.