Spring is a good time to prepare for flood safety
Warmer spring temperatures are a welcome relief in Wisconsin, but they also mark a return to flood season across the state. Flooding from melting snow or heavy spring rains, is one of the most common hazards in Wisconsin, and it puts lives and property at risk each year.
To encourage everyone in the state to be prepared, March 15-19, has been declared as Flood Safety Awareness Week in Wisconsin. ReadyWisconsin and the Department of Health Services, asks everyone in the state, to take this week to assess their flood risk and learn how to protect themselves before, during and after a flood.
“Floodwaters can put you in life-threatening danger in just a matter of seconds,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “In the last decade alone, 10 people in the state have lost their lives, due to flooding, showing just how deadly this hazard can be and why it’s important to learn more about what you can do to keep yourself safe.”
As Wisconsin’s climate gets warmer and wetter, these changing conditions are bringing more destructive storms and dumping heavy rainfalls in short timeframes, creating devastating impacts on communities and families.
Each year, flooding also causes millions of dollars in damage to homes, business and public infrastructure throughout Wisconsin. Many of those losses are not covered by basic insurance policies, often requiring special coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or through a private company.
While people can’t always stop the waters from rising, the following tips can help improve safety for a community before a flood:
• Know the flood risk. Assess the potential for flooding on property if it is in a flood plain or near a body of water, or with a basement. Plan with the family for what to do if the floodwaters begin to rise.
• Build a “Go Kit.” Include items such as food, water, cash, medications and copies of important documents, such as personal identification, like passports and birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies and financial documents.
• Make an emergency plan, if home can’t be reached or the family needs to leave quickly, identify a meeting place for gathering. Make a list of emergency numbers and important contacts.
• Keep water out of the house. Clean gutters regularly, direct downspouts away from the foundation, repair cracks in the foundation, improve grading so water flows away from the house and cover window wells.
• Investigate flood insurance. Standard insurance policies generally do not cover flooding and most flood coverage requires 30 days to take effect.
• Move valuables out of the basement. Store important records and documents in waterproof containers on upper levels of the home.
• Stay up-to-date on the forecast. Identify multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous weather conditions and potential flooding, such as a NOAA Weather Radio, trusted local news outlets, and mobile weather apps.
• Never drive or walk through flooded areas – turn around, don’t drown. Just six inches of fast-moving water can sweep adults off their feet, while 12 inches can carry away a small car. Be especially careful while driving at night. Driving through floodwaters puts lives at risk – more than half of flood fatalities are vehicle related. Flooding killed one person in Wisconsin, in 2020.
• Stay out of floodwaters, which can contain bacteria from human and animal waste, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, downed power lines and other dangerous items.
• If the home floods, follow cleaning and disinfection guidelines to avoid mold growth.
• If the power goes out for more than four hours, throw out refrigerated food or any food that came into contact with floodwater.
• If the drinking water well is flooded, disinfect the well and test the water to make sure it’s safe before drinking it.
• If the household uses a generator, keep it outside at least 20 feet from the home to avoid illness or death from carbon monoxide, which can occur in enclosed spaces.
