Emergency Flood Kits

EMERGENCY FLOOD KITS

You, your family or co-workers should prepare for disaster before it occurs. Part of your preparedness strategy should be assembling a Emergency Flood kit. Once a flood arrives, you won't have time to go shopping or gather your supplies. Place items you will need during an evacuation in an easy to carry waterproof container or place items in plastic bags, garbage bags etc

Water and Food

You can put water in misc plastic containers such as soft drink bottles or old milk containers. A person needs at least two quarts of water each day or even more with physical activity.

• Keep a three day supply of water and non-perishable food for each person
• One gallon of water per person per day for food preparation and sanitation.

Your food should not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking. If you need to heat food, pack some sterno. Select food items that are not bulky or heavy.

Some examples of food in your Flood Emergency Kit:

• Military type rations
• Ready-to-eat meals, meats, fruits and vegetables 
• Canned juices, milk, soup
• Sugar, salt and pepper 
• Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix 
• Vitamins 
• Baby food or any special diet food if required
• Snacks, instant coffee and or tea bags 

First Aid Kit

• Assemble a first aid kit for your home, work and one for each car.
• Assortment of adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze pads assortment  and adhesive tape
• Scissors and Tweezers and needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Cleansing soap or equivalent
• Latex gloves
• Prescription medication
• Aspirin or pain reliever 
• Anti-diarrhea medication 
• Antacid 

Tools and Misc Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Non electric can opener, utility knife
• Small Fire extinguisher, TYPE ABC 
• Tent
• Duct Tape
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Shut-off wrench and pliers, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Area Maps

Sanitation Supplies

• Toilet paper and towelettes
• Soap or liquid detergent
• Your personal hygiene items
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach
• Change of clothing (warm)
• Emergency blankets, or sleeping bags
• Waterproof boots
• Hat and gloves
• Rain gear
• Thermal underwear

For persons with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

Infants (probably the normal things already in your baby bag)

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Prescription Medications

Adults

• Prescription Medications
• Denture and vision supplies

Source: http://www.washingtonsandbag.com/

Flood Safety

Ondoy Tradegy (Philippines) Sept 2009

BEFORE THE FLOOD: Find out how often your location is likely to be flooded. Know the flood warning system in your community and be sure your family knows it. Keep informed of daily weather condition. Designate an evacuation area for the family and livestock. Assign family members instructions and responsibilities according to an evacuation plan. Keep a stock of food which requires little cooking and refrigeration; electric power may be interrupted. Keep a transistorized radio and flashlight with spare batteries, emergency cooking       equipment, candies, matches and first aid kit handy in case of emergency. Store supplies and other household effects above expected flood water level. Securely anchor weak dwellings and items.

WHEN WARNED OF FLOOD: Watch for rapidly rising flood waters. Listen to your radio for emergency instructions. If you find it necessary to evacuate, move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Store drinking water in containers, water service may be interrupted. Move household belongings to upper levels. Get livestock to higher ground. Turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating and also lock your house.

DURING THE FLOOD: Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. Do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee. Beware of water-covered roads and bridges. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements. Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers. Eat only well-cooked food. Protect leftovers against contamination. Drink clean or preferably boiled water ONLY.

AFTER THE FLOOD: Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlights, not lanterns or torchers. Flammables              may be inside. Be alert for fire hazards like broken wires. Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for flood water contamination. Report broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and telephone) to appropriate agencies authorities. Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have been checked by a competent electrician. Consult health authorities for immunization requirements. Do not go in disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations. Source: http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/genmet/floods/safety_rules.html