DJJ and National Preparedness Month: Flood Safety

September is a peak month during hurricane season, the time when Georgia observes ‘National Preparedness Month’ to raise awareness for severe weather emergencies. National Preparedness Month (NPM) is structured by the Department of Homeland Security to reminds us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families, now and throughout the year, by becoming familiar with the lifesaving lessons taught by the ‘Ready Campaign’.

Having a plan and knowing the appropriate actions to take during a disaster or emergency can provide life-saving help families for plan to ahead for unforeseeable disasters. In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, DJJ will cover several relevant topics this week, beginning with HURRICANES.

DJJ expresses its appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security for sharing lifesaving information for this National Preparedness Month campaign.

___________________________________________________________________

DJJ and National Preparedness Month: Flood Safety

Failing to evacuate flooded areas, entering flood waters, or remaining after a flood has passed can result in injury or death. Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods may:

• Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, and overflows of dams and other water systems.
• Develop slowly or quickly – Flash floods can come with no warning.
• Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides.

 If you are under a flood warning, find safe shelter immediately:

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

Based on the situation and type of flooding, you and your family may have to evacuate, move to a higher ground or floor, or stay where you are.

Staying safe during a flood:

• Depending on where you are, and the impact and the warning time of flooding, go to the safe location that you previously identified.
• If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
• If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, then stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, then seek refuge on the roof.
• If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once there, signal for help.

Staying safe after a flood:

• Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Avoid driving, except in emergencies.
• Snakes and other animals may be in your house. Wear heavy gloves and boots during clean up.
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can contain dangerous debris and be contaminated. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery only outdoors and away from windows.