First, let’s talk about what flooding actually is. A flood is essentially where there is so much water somewhere where there usually isn’t water that it is dangerous to be there. One very common example is heavy precipitation. There are a lot of things that determine whether or not it will be heavy precipitation, but two key factors are that there needs to be more water than the ground can absorb and warmer temperatures causing more water to be in the atmosphere lead to heavy precipitation. This is just an example cause of flooding. There are many other causes.
Flooding is one of the most prevalent and dangerous climate-related disaster that continues to be happen more frequently as climate changes. It is well known that floods pose a great risk and knowing the survival tactics during the flood can you survive it it. The first step is to prepare. Even before the flood comes, it is important to find out your community’s level of flood risk through flood maps and weather forecasts. People who live on the coast and riverbanks are the people who are most at risk. You should also prepare an emergency kit with basic items: clean water, food that doesn’t require refrigeration and stays fresh, medicine, first-aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, battery powered radios, and other valuables. These should be kept inside waterproof containers that are sealed. If your place is susceptible to floods, think about placing your electrical devices higher, caulking basement walls, preparing sandbags, and ensuring that water cannot enter through the doors.
If an evacuation order is given during a flood, leave the area as soon as you can. If you don’t leave, you are at risk of drowning since floods are usually sudden rather than gradual at a slow pace. Real time information is best obtained by using battery radios or smart phone alerts. If you are not able to go to a safe area, try to get as high off the ground or as high above sea level (e.g. up a hill) as possible. Driving or walking through the water is obviously a bad idea, unless your goal is to drown.
When the flooding ends and the water recedes, the next step is recovery. The water from the flood is usually contaminated, so be careful and do not let it come in contact with your body. Follow any warnings regarding water consumption. If you have home insurance, think about maybe taking pictures of your home so you can get the damages covered (if there is any), but do not go in any buildings that had been damaged from the flood until you are certain they are safe. Also make sure to be hygienic because you are at higher risk of waterborne diseases. Because of this, you should wash yourself after the flood.
As you have learned, surviving a flood isn’t effortless, but it is doable if you know what you are doing and take necessary precautions.
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