| What to do during a Flood |
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| Monday, 07 March 2011 10:12 |
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If a flood is threatening the City of Vicksburg, the most important thing to do is listen for information and instructions on radio, television newscasts, or NOAA Radio. If there is any possibility of a flash flood occurring, gather your family and emergency supplies and move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. If you have time, bring outdoor garden equipment and lawn furniture inside or tie it down. Move essential items to the upper floors of your house. If instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances, but do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. Do not stack sandbags against the outside walls of your house. Water suddenly seeping downward can create pressure, causing your basement to "float" out of the ground. In fact, when deep flooding is likely, permit the flood waters to flow freely into the basement of your home (or flood the basement yourself with clean water, if you are sure it will be flooded anyway). This will avoid structural damage to the foundation and the house by equalizing the water pressure on the outside of the basement walls and floors. When evacuating, follow instructions as to where to go and the routes you should take. Be sure that your car is fueled and you have emergency supplies with you. If you have time, tell others where you are going. Leave immediately to avoid being marooned by flooded roads and fallen trees, especially if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Stay away from flood waters, which can be contaminated. Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you must walk in a flooded area, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground, if you can do so safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly swept away as flood waters rise. In all cases, listen to the radio or television for information about the flood and what you should do. For more information about floods and what to do when they occur, please call the City of Vicksburg's Building & Inspection Department at (601)634-4528. |
| Last Updated on Monday, 21 March 2011 12:39 |
