•  Earthquake Survival Checklist

•Know how concerned you need to be. Contact your local Red Cross chapter to find out whether you live in an area at high risk for flooding.

•Locate nearby disaster shelters and plan an evacuation route. Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with it.

•Buy flood insurance. Property damage from flooding in the United States costs an average of $6 billion a year, and most homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damage. You can purchase this coverage through America's Flood Services.

•Designate an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as your household contact, and make sure everyone has this person's phone number. During a flood, local lines will be jammed. If you're separated from your family, use this contact to plan how you will get back together.

•Find out which radio station you should listen to for the best emergency information.

•Make sure everyone in your home knows how to shut off the gas, electricity, and water, in case local authorities advise doing so.

•Assemble a flood preparedness kit (see below).

Since you won't have to use your flood kit often (knock on wood!), be sure to replace food and water every six months, and batteries every year. Keep as many items as possible in sealed plastic bags.

If you need to evacuate and driving isn't an option, you may have to leave a few of these items behind. It may not be feasible to carry all the water a long distance, for instance. Store your supplies in zip-top plastic bags inside a large camping backpack or duffel bag, and make sure everyone knows where it's kept.

Essentials

•Plenty of bottled water (three gallons or more).

•Basic first-aid kit (ibuprofen or acetaminophen, adhesive bandages, flexible bandages for wrapping joints, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, prescription drugs, sterile gauze pads).

•Battery-operated radio with extra batteries.

•Flashlight with extra batteries.

•Waterproof matches and 100-hour candle.

•Map of the area (to locate shelters).

•Garbage bags.

•Toilet paper.

•Identification.

•Copies of important family documents.

•List of important phone numbers.

•Money.

•Food (see below).

Food and Cooking Supplies (at least a three-day supply)

•Canned items: meats, fruits, vegetables.

•Energy bars or chocolate.

•Nonelectric can opener.

•Lightweight cups and bowls.

•Lightweight spoons and forks.

•Food storage bags.

•Dish soap and small towel.

Personal Items

•Prepackaged moist towelettes.

•Antibacterial, "no-water-needed" liquid soap.

•Tampons.

•Toothbrush and toothpaste.

•Small towel or washcloth.

•Extra eyeglasses.

•Contact lens supplies.

Clothing and Bedding

•Change of clothes.

•Rain gear.

•Warm hat.

•Gloves.

•Rubber boots.

The result of intense storms dropping a great amount of rain in a short time, a flash flood occurs with little or no warning and can be at full force within minutes. Before a less sudden flood -- usually the result of an extended period of steady rain or a spring thaw -- you'll generally have enough time to prepare.

A flood watch or flash flood watch means flooding may be imminent in your area.

•If possible, move furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. If you live in an area particularly susceptible to floods, it's a good idea to keep your valuables on upper floors to begin with.

•Bring outdoor belongings inside. Floating objects are responsible for many flood injuries.

•Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water, as your water supply may become contaminated during a flood.

A flood warning or flash flood warning means a flood is happening or will happen soon.

•If you're inside, get your disaster preparedness kit, gather everyone together, and listen to the radio for the latest information. In all likelihood, you'll have to evacuate at this point, so make sure everyone knows which shelter to go to and how to get there.

•If you're outside, climb to higher ground and stay there. Avoid any moving water; floodwaters just six inches deep can knock you off your feet. If possible, get to a local disaster shelter.

•If you're driving through rising waters, abandon your car immediately and move toward higher ground. Two feet of moving water is enough to sweep a car away.

-- Benj Vardigan is a senior editor for Consumer Health Interactive and the winner of an Outstanding Young Journalist award from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Further Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

500 C Street, SW

Washington, D.C. 20472

Phone: (202) 646-4600

http://www.fema.gov

References

First published May 28, 1999
Last updated February 13, 2008
Copyright © 1999 Consumer Health Interactive

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