Published: June 18, 2009 03:31 pm      

Officials advise residents to prepare before next disaster hits

Wyoming County communities have been hit again and again with flood waters; Hanover area residents are still recovering from the devastation of May 9 flood waters.

Heavy rains and flooding can occur anytime, impacting areas thought to be safe from high water, according to officials.

County flood plain requirements are in place to keep residents from the destructive force of flood waters, officials note.

However, according to state and federal disaster recovery officials, “Everyone lives in a ‘flood plain’ when heavy rains fall and the waters rise above normal levels.”

Officials recommend that residents begin emergency preparation now, before the next flood hits.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are some simple actions people can take to lower chances of flood property losses and to make sure family is safe, including the following suggestions:

n Make a safety kit with drinking water, canned food, first aid items, blankets, a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio, flashlight and batteries.

— Put emergency contact telephone numbers by the phone and post them on the refrigerator and teach children how to dial 911.

— Create a file with personal information in it. Keep the information in a safe deposit box or in a waterproof container in your home. The file should contain life insurance policies and agent’s contact information; a copy of property deed if you own real estate; property insurance policies; financial records and bank account numbers; an inventory of possessions; photographs of each room and its contents; and critical documents like wills, trusts and medical directives.

— Keep sump pump in good working order.

— Clean out debris from gutters and down-spouts regularly so rain water can flow through.

— Keep fuel tanks anchored to prevent them from floating away and possibly causing harm.

— Raise electrical items like switches, circuit breakers, and wiring at least 12 inches above the point of anticipated flood waters.

— If possible, raise the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer onto cement blocks at least 12 inches above the point expected flood water might reach.

— Know the community’s evacuation plan and practice the flood evacuation route with household members. Find safe routes from home, work, and school — preferably routes that are on higher ground.

— Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be the contact for family members in case of an emergency.

— Make plans to protect and care for pets during such emergencies.

— Purchase flood insurance to help recover from losses.

For more information on emergency preparation visit Ready.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 800-462-7585.