Flood Action Steps

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

BEFORE A FLOOD

If an advanced Flood Warning has been issued, there are several precautions that can be taken to help minimize damage too certain areas of yours business:

• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
• Disconnect electrical equipment and appliances.
• Move vehicles out of the low lying parking garage.
• Raise elevators from bottom floors.

AFTER A FLOOD 

SAFETY FIRST

• Account that all employees are safe by establishing evacuation plans in advance, identifying areas outside the building that are designated meeting places. Assign select individuals to keep a list of their whereabouts.
• If water enters the building and evacuations becomes impossible, move to an upper floor, and wait for rescuers.
• While evacuating, avoid attempting to drive through floods or rising water, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall. 
• Use no open flames. 
• Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Listen for news reports to learn if the community's water supply is safe.
• Return only when authorities indicate it is safe.