BE PREPARED FOR AN
FLOOD
Failing to evacuate flooded areas, entering flood waters, or remaining after a flood has passed can result in injury or death.
Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. It is the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
Results from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surge, and overflows of dams and other waer systems
Develops slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning
Causes outage, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, create landslides
IF YOU ARE UNDER A FLOOD WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
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Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.
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Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
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Determine your best protection based on the type of flooding.
Hazard Scope and Impact
Harmful impacts of floods included direct mortality and morbidity, indirect displacement, and widespread damage of crops, infrastructure, and property. Flooding has caused more damage in the United States than any other severe weather-related event, an average of $5 billion a year. From 2003 to 2012, total flood insurance claims averaged nearly $4 billion per year. Since 1978, the NFIP has paid more than $48.1 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs (as of 7/8/13).
Death and Injuries Impact
Immediate causes of death in floods included drowning and trauma or injury. During the event, drowning was the primary cause, particularly while attempting to walk or drive in a vehicle through floodwaters. Direct impact-drowning was the leading cause of death in case of flash floods and coastal floods. Each year approximately 100 people lose their lives to floods. Deaths before the event were primarily vehicle accidents related to evacuation. Post event deaths and injuries during cleanup were also significant, including injury from attempting to clear debris, electrocution, and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of generators and alternate heating sources.
Effective Protective Action Timeframes
Key Protective Actions include all phases. Community and household mitigation before an event may prevent deaths and injuries, and insurance may mitigate property damage. Evacuation when advised, seeking high ground for flash flooding, and avoiding entering flood waters are key actions to save lives during flooding. Similar to other hazards, post-event deaths and injuries are significant with respect to floods given the debris in the floodwaters.