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Flash Flood Watch
This is a period where we have time to do a little preparation before the approaching storm hits. The early Flood Watch notice allows us to take personal responsibility in and around our homes.
Property Protection
- If you have a known flooding problem on your property, take time to sandbag or trench to divert water.
- Be sure your rain gutters are clean and not full of leaves or other debris.
- Use plastic sheeting to cover roof areas known to have leaks.
- For buildings with flat roofs and roof drains it's very important to keep the drains open and clear to avoid water accumulating on top of the roof which can quickly cause a roof to collapse.
Travel Precautions
- If you don't need to be on the roadways during a rain storm don't drive.
- If you have to drive, SLOW down. High speed can cause your vehicle to hydroplane, and you'll loose control. Heavy braking can also cause you to loose control.
- Avoid low lying areas and other areas known to flood.
- Avoid crossing swift moving streams and other areas where water is moving quickly.
- Watch for rock and mud slides on mountain roads.
- Watch for areas of standing water on highways.
- Watch for flooded underpasses; water may be deeper than it looks.
- Stay away from creek banks and flood control channels they're dangerous area, especially during flash flood conditions.
- Avoid climbing out on to rocky points where waves could wash you off into the pounding surf.
It is a very good idea to keep a disaster survival kit for your home and for your vehicles. You could be on the roadway traveling and find yourself stranded unable to continue or turn around. Would you have food, water and blankets in your car? What about first-aid and medical supplies? Do you have special medicines you need to take? NOW is the time to get prepared. Don't wait for conditions to get more intense or to the disaster state. Take a few moments for personal responsibility to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.