SERVPRO: Better Safe Than Soaked

3/17/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding

This week marks the National Weather Safety's (NWS) Annual Flood Safety Awareness week. The National Weather safety will be teaming with NOAA and FEMA to provide awareness and safety to help prepare America for the single most damaging water related event. For those who are not aware The NWS is America’s Hero, providing support efforts and important prevention information to those at risk of experiencing the effects of a disaster from sea to shining sea. Similar to SERVPRO, The NWS exists to provide one sole purpose. To provide support and relief to those we serve.

Flood preparedness is not optional when living here in the Southern Tier. Our long term residents know firsthand the disastrous effects of Flash Flooding. Within the last decade we have experienced two catastrophic floods, the first in 2006 and the second in 2011. The flood caused from Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 forced 20,000 (NY Times) residents to evacuate their homes and find refuge outside the flood zone. Local University SUNY Binghamton even housed 1,700 residents displaced from their homes in its events center and used it’s west gym as a medical emergency unit, caring for 100 critically injured flood victims (NY Times). Unfortunately flooding is too common and unpreventable by the residents. Because they are guaranteed to happen and unpreventable in nature, being prepared for such an event is absolutely critical. SERVPRO will be here for relief efforts after the event, however it is your responsibility to ensure that when a flood does strike that you are not caught without a plan.

SERVPRO Flood Relief: http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/storm-flooding-restoration

Knowledge is power. Binghamton’s National Weather service has dedicated each day this week to a different flood related topic:

http://www.weather.gov/bgm/preparednessFSAWNY2016

We highly recommend that you educate yourself on the different topics. Here’s the “sparknotes” version: but reading the full piece could literally be a matter of life or death come the time of an emergency.

Prepare: Know what you’re up against

Flooding Hazards that affect Broome County of New York State:

-Flash Floods

-River Flooding

-Snowmelt

-Tropical Systems and Coastal Flooding

Be Aware: Stay Informed

Use resources to always be aware of what the conditions are around you

Weather.gov - For latest forecasts and hazardous weather conditions

Weather Ready Nation's FAQ on Wireless Emergency Alerts- To sign up for wireless emergency alerts

Water.weather.gov - Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (Flood forecastings for us simpletons)

weather.gov/bgm/floodinundation- Flood inundation Mapping (See future road closing)

www.floodsafety.noaa.gov- Flood safety awareness (before, during, and after information)

Turn Around Don’t Drown (TADD): There is no such thing as a little flood

-Six inches of fast moving water can knock over an adult 

-Twelve inches of flowing water can carry away most small cars

-Twenty four inches of rushing water can carry away most vehicles

Partner Resources:

American Red Cross- Family disaster plan

Federal Alliance For Safe Homes (FLASH)- Flood safety information

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Safety information

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Safety kit assembly

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Property protection and flood insurance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Assess your flood risk

United States Army Corps of Engineers- Flood information

United States Geological Survey- Water watch

United States Geological Survey-Water alert - National Water Information System

Final words from SERVPRO:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”- Benjamin Franklin