Be Flood Ready This Spring!

Here are some basic steps to take to prepare for spring rains:

• Contact the local county geologist or county planning department to find out if your business is located in a flash-flood-prone area or landslide-prone area.


• Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.


• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your employees. Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.


• Inform local authorities about anyone with special needs or a disability.


• Identify potential business hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the flood strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuation. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.


• Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your employees know where it is and how to use it.


• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.


• Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12" above your businesses projected flood elevation.


• For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.


• Anchor fuel tanks which can contaminate your basement if torn free. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream and damage other buildings.