Emergency Preparedness For Floods

Floods are the most common disaster in the United States. While everyone is crossing their fingers, hoping for a great summer, it’s best to prepare for the possibility that spring and summer rains will cause rivers to rise and may flood.

There is some basic planning you can do if you live near rivers and other sources of floods and have experienced flooding in your home in the past. The simplest is the make a plan for a designated place where you and your family (or roommates, etc.) will meet up if flooding occurs in your area. If you have pets, make sure the place you are going to will accept them. In case you’re at home when it happens, you should come up with evacuation route/s.

If possible, bring important items up from the basement floor and/or raise them off the floor. You can do this at any time, preferably months before floods are likely to happen. Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to prevent leakage.

Sign up for VT-Alert to get timely watches and warnings about heavy rain and flooding. https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert. And, if you or a loved one has a disability or other condition that would require help during an emergency, you/they can fill out a form at E-911 to alert emergency responders during a disaster. https://e911.vermont.gov/care

Another essential is to prepare an emergency kit with items that you’ll need if you have to leave your home.

For more on emergency kits: https://www.ready.gov/kids/family-emergency-planning/build-a-kit It's also important to plan for pets: https://www.ready.gov/pets#travel

Make a communications plan in case family members are in different locations during the flood. Ask an out-of-area relative or friend to be the central contact that everyone can text or call if you are separated. If possible, text, don’t call. In an emergency, phone lines may be tied up. It may be easier to text, and this leaves phone lines open for emergency workers.