Floods

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.  Whether your home or business is near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is always potential for flood damage.  Floodsmart.gov reports, in the last five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.  According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather-related disaster.  The ARC offers the following flood safety tips: Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way.  Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.  If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way.  If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.  Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.  Keep children out of the water.  They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.  Do you live in a potential flood risk zone?  Check out FEMA's Flood Map Service Center by visiting msc.fema.gov, where you can easily enter your business, home, or other address to determine if your property is at risk for flooding based on a visual flood map.