Floods are the Most Common Natural Disaster, Be Prepared This Season

By Space Coast Daily // April 18, 2023

Flash floods can come with no warning

Parts of the country are being affected by severe flooding. Are you starting the cleanup process? (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Parts of the country are being affected by severe flooding. Are you starting the cleanup process?

Be aware that snakes or animals may be in your home, flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry.

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States.

Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

Floods may:

■ Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, and overflows of dams and other water systems.

■ Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.

■ Cause outages disrupt transportation, damage buildings and create landslides.

Preparing for a Flood

■ Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding.

■ Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response.

■ Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency

■ Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

■ Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters.

■ Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.