HOW DO
FLOODS OCCUR?
The two key elements to flooding are rainfall intensity and duration.
Intensity is the rate of rainfall.
Duration is how long the rain lasts.
Rivers, bayous, and streams may overflow their channels and banks. Streets and areas, which are normally dry, may be submerged. Flooding can be brief, or last for an extended period of time. Rivers and streams can flood areas downstream where there may not have been any particularly heavy rainfall. Storms may continue to develop and travel across the same area repeatedly, causing localized flooding. A single slow moving storm cell may produce very local street flooding in a short period of time, when other areas only a few miles away have no rain at all!
KNOW YOUR AREA'S FLOOD RISK...
Visit our web page concerning the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood plain maps are available at the PCOEM office located at 207 West Mill St. in Livingston or you can retrieve Q3 flood information from this web site.
It is a fact that after the October Flood in 1994 only 54 families in Polk County had Flood Insurance, The program has dramatically improved since that time.
SAFETY ISSUES...
Two feet of water on the roadway where water is flowing rapidly will carry away most automobiles and small trucks. Do not drive into water-covered roadways. The roadway may be gone or failed due to erosion. Debris and other objects may be submerged in the water as well.
If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way.
If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
Avoid walking through any floodwaters. If it is moving swiftly, even water 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
Do not travel at night during heavy rainfall or reported flooding in your area. Monitor LOCAL radio and television broadcasts for the latest information and advisories.
Have access to a source of weather information and stay tuned! You cannot take action to protect yourself you do not receive the watches and and warnings. This can be as simple as your car radio, TV, a portable radio, or a weather radio. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts current local weather information, watches, warnings and forecasts 24 hours a day. In addition, some weather radios will sound an alarm - day or night - when warnings are issued. Most are equipped with a battery back up to commercial power. The Polk County Area broadcast can be monitored on 162.400 Mhz. Be sure your source of weather information can operate independently of outside power sources, as some weather events often temporarily interrupt commercial power distribution.
DURING AN
EVACUATION
· If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
· Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters become too deep for
ordinary vehicles to drive through.
· Listen to a battery-operated radio for evacuation instructions.
· Follow recommended evacuation routes--shortcuts may be blocked.
· Leave early enough to avoid being marooned by flooded roads.
A Flood/Flash Flood WATCH means that flooding is possible within or nearby a designated WATCH area. The watch is issued when weather conditions are very favorable for this type of event to occur. Be alert to the first signs of flooding and be ready to take action to protect yourself and your property on a moment's notice. Stay tuned to LOCAL radio and TV stations, or NOAA Weather Radio on 162.400 Mhz. The Emergency Alert Station (EAS) for the Houston Area is KETX, 1440 am.
Flood and Flash Flood WARNING means that flooding is actually occurring, or is imminent! Take any precautions or actions necessary at once. Act quickly to protect yourself. You may have only seconds. Stay tuned to LOCAL radio and TV stations, or NOAA Weather Radio. The Emergency Alert Station (EAS) for the Polk County Area is KETX, 92.3 FM, 1440 AM AND KETX TV CHANNEL 5.
This is a precautionary statement issued by the local National Weather Service Office. It is to inform persons of the dangers in an area where there has usually been a brief period of very heavy rain. This event usually produced by a slow moving storm cell, which causes short term street flooding and ponding of rainwater. This type of flooding is usually brief, and usually dissipates shortly after rains have stopped.
PRE-FLOOD ACTIONS..
· Have a family disaster plan.
· Determine two sites where you will meet if the family is separated.
· Choose a family friend for members of the family to telephone in the event you are
separated and lose contact.
· Keep personal records in a safe place such as a safe deposit box.
· Be wary of wild animals and watch out for snakes even in urban areas...and watch out
for the fire ants!
· If fresh food has come into contact with flood waters, throw it out.
· Boil drinking water before using. Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for
purity before drinking.
· Seek medical attention if you are injured and flood waters contaminate the injury.
· Contact The Polk County Red Cross for emergency shelter, food, and clothing.
· Be wary of electrical equipment and wiring after a flood.
· Contact your electrical power provider and/or electrician prior to restoring electrical
service to flood damaged property.
· Report any unusual odors to the authorities.
When disaster strikes, people everywhere want to help those in need. To ensure that this compassion and generosity are put to good use, the media can highlight these facts:
Financial aid is an immediate need of disaster victims. Financial contributions should be made through a recognized voluntary organization to help ensure that contributions are put to their intended use.
Before donating food or clothing, wait for instructions from local officials. Immediately after a disaster, relief workers usually don't have time or facilities to setup distribution channels, and too often these items go to waste.
· Family Weather Emergency Plan
· Family Disaster Supplies Kit
This Homepage was prepared by Kenneth F. Hambrick, Polk County Coordinator. Contact at E-Mail address:
webmaster@pcoem.org for additional information about our program.
The
information contained in this Homepage is considered public
domain and the Office of Emergency Management encourages
interested persons to utilize any portions of it that might be of educational
benefit or enhance their local programs.
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