Town Crier Articles

How To Prepare For A Flood

Posted on May 1, 2024 6:55 AM by NTRA Emergency Preparedness Committee

Flooding may result from a variety of causes to include overflowing waterways, dam failures, heavy rains, or clogged storm drains. Further, per the National Center for Environmental Information “Ninety percent of all natural disasters involve flooding.”

For many reasons and also because a single inch of flood water can cause $27,000 in damage to a home, it’s important to take steps in advance of a flood to mitigate any possible damage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has some suggestions in this regard:

Know your area’s type of flood risk. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov/portal for information.
Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and provide emergency alerts. Register for Williamsburg JCC Alerts at https://www.jccalert.org/.
Learn and practice evacuation routes and shelter plans, and flash flood response.
Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medications. Don’t forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
Obtain flood insurance. Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. If you need help finding a provider, go to https://FloodSmart.gov/flood-insurance-provider or call the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) at 877-336-2627 or your home insurance agent or a private insurance provider.
Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
Protect your property. Move valued items to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

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