Before the storm
To help prevent damage to your property, and to keep your family safe CCFR recommends that:
- All downspouts and gutters are completely clear of any debris and functioning properly.
- All patios, decks and porches are clear of furniture, toys and other items that could be blown or swept away.
- There is an easily accessible emergency kit with bottled water, flashlights, a NOAA weather radio and batteries.
- Damaged trees and branches are removed before the storm arrives.
- Large trees are cut back, away from the home.
- Home insurance policies cover flood and water damage.
During and immediately following the storms
- Stay tuned to local radio and television news to stay abreast on storm news.
- Keep pets indoors, safely away from any flooding or rushing water.
- Stay indoors, at a high elevation location.
- Avoid driving. If driving is required, be cautious, and never enter a water covered roadway.
- Assume that any downed power lines are live and active.
- Never enter areas that are flooded, especially areas with quickly moving water.
Don’t drive through standing water
- It may not look deep, but when a road is closed due to flooding it is because the road is impassable.
- It takes less than 12 inches of water to sweep away a car during a flood.
- If a road is closed it is because it is impassable, and flooded roads and bridges are also prone to collapse.
- Driving through a closed roadway can stall your car engine and cause irreversible damage to your car.
- Turn around, don’t drown.