1 Stay inside
2Evacuation
3Signal for help
FLOOD
229
SURVIVING A FLOOD
1 Stay inside
• If you can, move upstairs, taking with you food, water, emergency supplies, pets, valuables, and important papers.
Take plenty of water with you
Take small pets upstairs in pet carriers
If your child is upset by the flood, carry her to safety
• If flood water rises quickly, leaving you no time to move your valuables upstairs, put them on high shelves to keep them out of the water.
• Be aware that flood water can weaken structural foundations, causing buildings to sink, floors to crack and, in severe cases, walls to collapse. Regularly check for cracks in what you can see of your walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows.
• Listen to your radio for updated local information and follow all official instructions.
• Observe outside water levels to see how fast the flood is rising.
• Use your drinking water supply until you are told that the main water is safe to drink.
2Evacuation
• If you are told to evacuate, follow the instructions carefully.
• In addition to taking your disaster emergency kit( p. 225), take all the clothing you can. It may be days or, in some situations, weeks before you are able to return home.
3Signal for help
• If the water has risen to the point that you are unable to leave safely on foot, or you feel that your life is in danger if you stay where you are, signal for help.
• Lean out of an upstairs window or climb onto the roof and call for help by shouting and / or waving something bright.
• Do not climb onto the roof if it is slippery or if there are high winds: you may put yourself in greater danger.
Attract attention by shouting and waving
! If you are outside
• Be very careful when walking through flood water: just 6 in( 15 cm) of fast-flowing water
can unbalance you and cause you to fall.
• If possible, use a stick to feel the ground before you step on it: hazards hidden under
the water could be highly dangerous.
• Avoid riverbanks and sand dunes, which could collapse. Also beware of large waves.
• Minimize contact with flood water: it could be contaminated with sewage.