If at anytime you ever find yourself in an environment where flooding is a possibility, it’s imperative that you know what to do to ensure your safety. Toward that end, citizens might look to a new report from the Denver Post that offers a series of safety tips from FEMA.
When flooding is imminent, your first step will be to get yourself to a place where you won’t be endangered. Get as high as possible, even if that includes evacuating your home. This is particularly important if you live in an area susceptible to such dangers, say if you live next to a stream or channel.
Should evacuation indeed take place, make sure that you’re turning off utilities so that you’re not endangered by electricity or gas when you eventually come back to the residence. If you have furniture or other items outdoors, bring them in if you have time to do so. Lock the doors as you leave.
When you’ve left, make sure that you avoid any running water, as this is potentially the most dangerous situation to be in. All it takes is six inches for the threat of a fall to be dramatically increased. The same goes for instances where you’re driving through flood-prone areas. Again, avoid running water and flood-prone areas. If you get caught up in water while in a car, get to higher ground at once if possible to do so without getting hurt.