THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
MASSACHUSETTS
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
STATE FLOOD TASK FORCE
PROMOTES ‘FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK’
“Flooding continues to be the most common and costly type of natural threat which the Commonwealth faces annually,”
· Know the terms used to describe flooding:
§ Flood Watch – Flooding is possible. Watches are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) 12 to 36 hours in advance of a possible event.
§ Flash Flood Watch – Flash Flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground. A Flash Flood could occur without warning.
§ Flood Warning – Flooding is occurring, or will occur soon. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
§ Flash Flood Warning – A flash flood is occurring. Seek higher ground immediately.
· Monitor Media reports.
· Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup and a tone-alert feature.
· Ask local officials whether your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area.
· Know your community’s methods to warn you, if evacuation is necessary. Listen to your local Public Safety officials and respond to their directives in a prompt manner.
· Know your community's flood evacuation routes, potential Public Shelters, and where to find high ground. In a flash flood, you may need to seek high ground on foot quickly.
· Test your sump pumps. If possible, have a backup power source.
· Install ‘check valves’ in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains in your home.
· Ensure your home is ready. Where possible, minimize damage from basement flooding by elevating utilities and materials that could be damaged by limited basement flooding.
· Anchor fuel tanks to ensure that they do not wash away, creating a safety and environmental issue inside or outside the home.
· Develop a Family Emergency Kit.
· Make a Family Communication Plan.
· Learn your community’s Emergency Plans.
· Know the elevation of your property in relation to nearby streams, ponds, levees and dams so that you know if the flood elevations forecasted will affect your home and property.
· When necessary and possible, construct barriers such as levees, berms, and floodwalls to stop floodwater from entering your home or building. Permission to construct such barriers may be required by local building codes. Check local building codes and ordinances for safety requirements.
·
Bring in children’s toys, patio and lawn furniture indoors if
flooding is pending.
·
Be prepared to turn
off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before
you evacuate. Know how to safely turn off gas and water supplies before you
evacuate.
· You may need to store materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber to protect your house from floodwaters and to make quick repairs after a severe storm.
· Contact your insurance agent or local government to discuss flood insurance coverage. Flood losses are not covered under regular homeowner’s insurance policies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) through the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). The NFIP makes flood insurance available in communities that adopt and enforce ordinances to reduce flood damage.
· Contact your local Emergency Management office for more information on mitigation options to further reduce potential flood damage. Your local Emergency Management office may be able to provide additional resources and information regarding ways to reduce potential damage.
The following represent some of the key websites to assist you and your family during times of flooding and type of emergency:
http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/
http://www.FloodSmart.gov/noaafloodweek
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm
The
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible
for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during
emergencies and disasters in the