The Most Common Natural Disaster Here…

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at 11:54 pm

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in America.

Learn what to expect in this situation, living here or not.

First, find out if your area is an area of risk. If you are not sure, call your EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE, or the department PLANNING AND ZONING at your local City Hall.

Always have an emergency kit prepared.

If it’s been raining hard for several hours or continuously for several days, be alert. Watch the news.

More deaths occur by floods than hurricanes or other natural disasters, and American officials say that many of these casualties are the result of the carelessness of drivers trying to pass through flooded streets.

Don’t forget the saying: “Turn around… Don’t Drown!”.

Flood insurance is not included in most rental contracts. It pays to take out one on your own, and is not expensive… We pay $277 per year.

Plan where you can go in such a case: a friend’s house, a relative, hotel, a shelter…

Here in Texas the “flash floods” happen within a few minutes to several hours.

Make sure you have copies of important documents in your emergency kit, put it somewhere very safe and don’t leave it behind if you have to leave the house in case of an emergency.

If you’re car stalls in a flooded area, leave it right there and go to higher ground.

I try to always keep a small suitcase with everything necessary for such an emergency. I think like this: “What could I not live without, for 1 week?” And there, in that suitcase, is where I put it. I also keep my key documents in the safest place in the house, this includes tornadoes. I’ll talk about that later.

Be sure to visit the government website on the subject:

www.floodsmart.gov.