A flood is an abnormal progressive rise in the water level of streams or rivers which may result in overflowing. Floods can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam or levee failures, tsunamis, storm surges, and burst water mains.

Know what to do

Before the flood

• Know the flood warning system in your community and ensure that your family knows the warnings
• – Learn all you can about flooding
• – Monitor weather conditions
• – Keep on hand material like lumber, plywood, nails, rope, wires, plastic sheeting, sandbags, etc.
• – Keep a portable transistor radio with spare batteries and emergency equipment
• – Store all chemicals away from flood waters
• – Store livestock feed and supplies above expected water levels

During the warning

• Listen for emergency instructions
• – Watch for rapidly rising water
• – Store drinking water in sealed plastic containers as water service may be interrupted
• – Move household items to higher levels
• – Get livestock to higher ground
• – Evacuate if necessary when it is safe to do so, don’t move quickly
• – Turn off electricity at the main switch before evacuating

During the flood

• Avoid areas subject to flash flooding
• – Don’t attempt to cross rivers or flowing streams where water is above the knees
• – Beware of water covered roads and bridges

After the flood

• Re-enter building with caution. Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches as flammables may be inside
• – Be alert for the hazards such as broken electrical wires
• – If the building has been under water, do not switch on the main, wait for professional assistance. Never touch electrical switches while wet or standing in water
• – Don’t use appliances or equipment until they have been cleaned, dried and thoroughly checked for damage
• – Report downed utility lines (electricity, water, gas, and telephone) to the appropriate authorities
  – Boil all water
• – Keep away from disaster areas as your presence may hamper rescue efforts

Livestock Protection

• All livestock should have visible identification numbers
• – Animals can swim well. Do not leave them in confined areas or pens. Open gates so animals can escape
• – There is the option of moving livestock to higher ground and denying them access to flood-prone areas and structures.
• – Ensure that there is enough food and clean water secured for after the flood.
• – Protect livestock from the threat of fires.
• – Following a flood, there can be a danger of infectious diseases in livestock. Observe livestock for sickness.

Levels of Flooding

Minor Flooding

• – Due to accumulation of excessive surface runoff
• – Flood waters consigned to the flood plain immediately along a
• river/channel or in random low-lying and topographically depressed areas
• – Flooding is relatively shallow and there is no perceptive flow of water as
• when inundation is rapidly spreading to adjacent areas

2) Major Flooding

• – Due to overflowing of rivers and lakes, unexpected and serious breaks in
• dikes, levees and other protective structures or uncontrolled releases of
• dam water
• – Coverage of a wide continuous area and rapid spreading to adjacent areas
• of relatively lower elevation

What to do about flood

• Take action to reduce your risk and loss through mitigation
• – Improve drainage around your house if your yard floods easily
• – Strengthen the foundations of your house to resist the forces of the water
• – If constructing in an area that has flooded in the past, it could flood again so
  raise the level of the property
• – Ensure that slopes around the property have vegetation that
  binds the soil, as slopes may become saturated with water leading to
  landslides. Plants and trees absorb water and the roots help prevent
  landslides
• – Do not buy or build in areas which are subject to consistent flooding
• – Electrical outlets, fuse boxes, and plugged-in equipment (like refrigerators
  and generators) need to be above the flood water level, so you avoid being
  electrocuted
• – Buy flood insurance

Facts about floods

• Abuse of the environment such as cutting down trees at a rate faster than they
  grow, or clogging of water ways with garbage can lead to flood
• – More people die from drowning in fresh water floods during a hurricane or
  storm than from any other cause
• – Flood waters can destroy roads, buildings, and bridges
  – Mud, oil, and other pollutants carried by water can ruin crops and building
  contents
• – Sewerage systems may overflow. Drinking water facilities may become
  contaminated.
  Disease may break out
• – Six inches of fast moving water can sweep a person away and twelve
  inches of fast moving water can take a car away
• – When the soil gets saturated landslides may occur