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| Home > Fact
of the Week 2011 > Floods |
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2-28-2011
Preparedness
Facts of the Week
by
Elizabeth Hall, Emergency
Services Specialist -
Kings County Office of Emergency Management |
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Foreward By Elizabeth Hall
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| In
my efforts to bring to you
preparedness information
that is both informative, helpful
to the area in which we live
and yet interesting without
being repeated and overdone
to death can be difficult at
times. In my search to bring
you something different, I
came across preparedness information
just for Californians. It comes
from the California Emergency
Management Agency (CalEMA)
website. In the next 12 weeks,
I’d like to touch on
12 topics we as Californians
face. The information is basic
and will have added informational
links and downloadable materials
for your convenience. With
so much information packed
in each subject, you may want
to save or add to your “Favorites”. |
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| Flooding poses a serious risk
to life, property and public
health and safety and could
cripple the state’s economy.
Substantially populated counties
with vulnerable populations
are in flood-prone areas of
southern California, the San
Francisco Bay Area, the Delta
region and the Central Valley.
In addition, many urban and
rural areas are not protected
by levees and are subject to
recurring, seasonal flooding
by local rivers or streams.
In
2000, over 5 million Californians,
or approximately 15 percent
of the total population,
lived in a Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) designated
floodplain. Most of this
population resides in expanding
urban centers located in
floodplains where flooding
could result in extensive
loss of life and billions
of dollars in damages.
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Some
areas of the Central Valley
could experience
flood depths
of twenty feet or more
if a levee fails. |
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You
can check your potential for flood risks
by your address or zip code by checking "My
Hazards". |
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What
types of flooding may occur? |
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California's
rainy season usually lasts from November
to April, bringing heavy flooding and
increased flood risks with it; however,
flooding can happen at anytime. A string
of large wildfires have dramatically
changed the landscape and ground conditions,
causing fire-scorched land to become
mudflows under heavy rain. Experts
say that it might take years for vegetation
to return, which will help stabilize
these areas. The West Coast also has
thousands of miles of levees, which
are meant to help protect homes and
their land in case of a flood. However,
levees can erode, weaken, or overtop
when waters rise, often causing catastrophic
results.
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Spring
Thaw
During the spring, frozen land
prevents melting snow or rainfall
from seeping into the ground.
Each cubic foot of compacted
snow contains gallons of water
and once the snow melts, it can
result in the overflow of streams,
rivers, and lakes. Add spring
storms to that and the result
is often serious spring flooding. |
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Heavy
Rains
California is at heightened risk
for flooding due to heavy rains.
The is high risk due to La Niña
conditions, which include: snow
melts, heavy rains, and additional
mudslide risk due to vegetation
loss due recent wildfires. This
excessive amount of rainfall
can happen throughout the year,
putting your property at risk. |
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Levees
& Dams
Levees are designed to protect against a certain level of flooding.
However, levees can and do decay over time, making maintenance a serious
challenge. Levees can also be overtopped |
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Flash
Floods
Flash floods are the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. since they
can roll boulders, tear out trees, and destroy buildings and bridges. A flash
flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas in less than six hours, which is
caused by intense rainfall from a thunderstorm or several thunderstorms. Flash
floods can also occur from the collapse of a man-made structure or ice dam. |
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Understanding
Terminology: |
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California
Specific Weather Watches and
Warnings - National Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Association (NOAA) |
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Familiarize yourself with these
terms to help identify a flood
hazard: |
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Flood
Watch
Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio,
or television for information. |
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Flash
Flood Watch
Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground;
listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
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Flood
Warning
Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate,
do so immediately. |
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Flash
Flood Warning
A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. |
Real
Time Flood Information
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California Data Exchange
Center (CDEC) - installs, maintains,
and operates an extensive hydrologic
data collection network including
automatic snow reporting gages
for the Cooperative Snow Surveys
Program and precipitation and river
stage sensors for flood forecasting.
CDEC provides a centralized location
to store and process real-time
hydrologic information gathered
by various cooperators throughout
the State. CDEC then disseminates
this information to the cooperators,
public and private agencies, and
news media. |
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Suggested
tips for before, during and
after flooding |
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Before
a Flood
To Prepare for a flood, you
should:
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1. |
Avoid
building in a floodplain unless
you elevate and reinforce
your home. |
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2. |
Elevate the furnace, water
heater, and electric panel if susceptible
to flooding. |
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3. |
Install "check valves" in
sewer traps to prevent flood
water from backing up into the
drains of your home. |
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4. |
Construct
barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls)
to stop floodwater
from entering the building. |
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5. |
Seal walls in basements with
waterproofing compounds to avoid
seepage. |
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During
a Flood
If a flood is likely in your
area, you should:
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1. |
Listen
to the radio or television for
information |
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2 |
Be aware that flash flooding
can occur. If there is any possibility
of a flash flood, move immediately
to higher ground. |
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3. |
Do
not wait for instructions to
move. |
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4. |
Be
aware of streams, drainage channels,
canyons, and other
areas known to flood suddenly. |
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5. |
Flash
floods can occur in these areas
with or without such typical
warnings as rain clouds or heavy
rain. |
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If you must prepare
to evacuate, you should do the
following: |
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1. |
Secure
your home. If you have time,
bring in outdoor furniture.
Move essential items to an upper
floor. |
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2. |
Turn
off utilities at the main switches
or valves if instructed
to do so. |
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3. |
Disconnect
electrical appliances. |
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4. |
Do
not touch electrical equipment
if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home,
remember these evacuation tips: |
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- Do
not walk through moving water.
Six inches of moving water
can make you fall. If you have
to walk
in water, 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 floodwaters rise
around
your car, abandon the car and
move to
higher ground if you can
do so safely. You and the vehicle
can
be quickly swept away.
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Driving
Flood Facts:
The following are important
points to remember when driving
in flood conditions: |
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1. |
Six
inches of water will reach the
bottom of most passenger cars
causing loss of control and possible
stalling. |
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2. |
A
foot of water will float many
vehicles. |
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3. |
Two
feet of rushing water can carry
away most vehicles including
sport utility vehicles (SUV’s)
and pick-ups. |
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After
a Flood
The following are guidelines
for the period following a
flood: |
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1. |
Listen
for news reports to learn whether
the community’s
water supply is safe to drink. |
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2 |
Avoid
floodwaters; water may be contaminated
by oil, gasoline,
or raw sewage. Water may also
be electrically charged from
underground or downed power lines. |
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3. |
Avoid moving water. |
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4. |
Be
aware of areas where floodwaters
have receded. Roads may have weakened
and could collapse under the weight
of a car. |
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5. |
Stay away from downed power lines,
and report them to the power company. |
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6. |
Return
home only when authorities indicate
it is safe. |
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7. |
Stay
out of any building if it is
surrounded by floodwaters. |
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8. |
Use
extreme caution when entering
buildings; there may be hidden
damage, particularly in foundations. |
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9. |
Service
damaged septic tanks, cesspools,
pits, and leaching systems
as soon as possible. |
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10 |
Damaged
sewage systems are serious health
hazards. |
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11. |
Clean
and disinfect everything that
got wet. Mud left from floodwater
can contain sewage and chemicals. |
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Statement
from the California Emergency
Management
Agency
Emergency preparedness means
being prepared for all kinds
of emergencies, able to respond
in time of crisis to save lives
and property, to help a community
or even the nation return to
normal life after a disaster,
and ensuring that the environment
is protected. The potential for
a catastrophic event impacting
California, the most populous
state in the nation with an estimated
population of 38 million in 2008,
is something that requires this
all hazards approach.
The
information available within
the “Threats and Hazards” portion
of the Planning and Preparedness
Division web site is intended
to provide preliminary information
on potential hazards that may
impact the citizenry. The information
provided will include preparedness
tips and or guidance on how to
be ready for these hazards and
vulnerabilities should they impact
the State.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has
specific information on what steps should be followed when returning
to your residence or business after a flood. Information is available
by clicking on the links below:
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Do
your part for safety awareness by passing this
information along to anyone you can think of
who would benefit.
Have
a great week, and remember…… Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Teaming Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall
Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
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