Flash Flood Watch: Be Prepared for Flooding

With a Flash Flood Watch in effect until 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning (August 20), make sure you are prepared and know what to do in the event of flooding.

Prepare for Flooding:

• Know your area's flood risk. To estimate your flood risk and flood insurance premium, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. 
• Make an itemized list of personal property, including furnishings, clothing, and valuables. 
• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan containing important contacts for you and your family in the event of any emergency. 
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.)

• Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to evacuate your home in a hurry.   
• Learn the safest route to higher ground from your home or place of business to stay in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your Household Emergency Plan.   
• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home. 
• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area, or you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves.  
• Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters or tape (to prevent flying glass).  
• Bring outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other loose items, inside the house or tie them down securely.
• Consider flood insurance. Protection against loss due to floods is not covered under most homeowner's insurance policies. Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at www.floodsmart.gov or 1-800-427-2419.

During a Flood:

• Keep a battery-operated AM/FM radio tuned to a local station and follow emergency instructions. 
• If you're caught inside by rising waters, move to a higher floor. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio with you. Wait for help. Do NOT try to swim to safety.  
• If it is save and you need to evacuate, take your Go Bag with you. 
• When outside, remember: floods are deceptive. Try to avoid flooded areas, and do not attempt to walk across flood water more than knee deep. Just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.  
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Just two feet of moving water can sweep a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) off the road.

If it is Safe to Evacuate by Car:

• Take your Go Bag with you. 
• Avoid flooded roadways. Parts of the road may already be washed out, and you could become stranded or trapped.  
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Floodwater can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.

Additional flooding tips, such as how to recover from a flood, can be found on the Floods page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management's website. Click on the following links for a list of Shelter-in-Place or Go Bag supplies.