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DURING A FLOOD
– Stay put!
Wait it out. It is very hard to fight your instinct to get home, but do not put yourself or your family in danger by driving in severe weather. Storms will usually pass within a few hours. Your children will be safer if they stay at school, as each school has an emergency plan for sheltering children until it is safe for you to pick them up.
Abandoned cars floating on Lamar Boulevard during the November 2001 flood.
Do not attempt drive through any depth of water, across low water crossings, or around road barricades-- no matter how safe it looks! Water is very dangerous and surprisingly strong. Any size car or SUV can get washed away with less than 18 inches of moving water. 
Low water crossing # 21. |
If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
Do not walk near swollen creeks, stormdrains, or low-lying areas. The muddy banks are dangerous and slippery. Children will be tempted to play in the water and can get swept away more easily than an adult. Don't forget, it does not have to be raining where you are for a flash flood to occur.
– Stay Informed
Listen to your NOAA weather radio, TV, or radio for emergency flood information. Every rainstorm is different and can cause sudden and unpredictable flooding effects.
You may be contacted on your home telephone by the City of Austin's Emergency Notification System (ENS). You can read more about ENS HERE.
If you are told to evacuate do so IMMEDIATLY.
– Types of Warnings
A flood watch is issued by the National Weather Service when floods are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
A flood warning is issued when flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
An urban and small stream advisory is issued when flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas is occurring.
The Office of Emergency Management posts road closures on the Emergency Conditions Information web page.
– Stay off the Phone
Emergency responders will need the phone lines for emergency calls. Overloading the system with non-emergency calls will make communications difficult for emergency responders, especially if the phone system is already damaged from the storm. Use the telephone only for family emergencies or to report dangerous conditions.
– Move to Higher Ground
Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. Bring in or secure yard items. Move possessions to a higher area of the house. Loose items such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans can get washed away and clog drainage systems. Household chemicals, fuels, and paint can contaminate the water.
RELATED LINKS
- Are You Ready for a Flood or Flash Flood?
by the American Red Cross
Essential flood and flash flood safety information.
- Never Drive Across A Flooded Road
by the National Hurricane Center
Explanations of how floodwater moves vehicles so easily.
- Driving into Water and Tale of a Lone Survivor
by FloodSafety.com
The majority of flood-related deaths are caused by people attempting to drive through moving water. This interactive segment explains the most common ways people die in these situations. WARNING: This segment contains graphic images of real-life scenarios where people have drowned. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Lamar photo courtesy of the Austin American-Statesman.
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