Rain Preparedness
Rain Happens…Be ready!
Santa Clara might get 300 days of sunshine, but on those other days we can and do get rain. Too much rain can lead to serious problems, like floods. Floods are one of the most common kinds of disasters. During rainy seasons, we can get a lot of water, and sometimes clogged drains, saturated ground, or just too much water can cause a flood.
Before a Flood…
- Make sure your furnace, water heater, and electrical panels are above ground level
- If there is a lot of rain, construct barriers with sandbags around entrances
- Store possessions in waterproof containers
- Clean out gutters to make sure there is no buildup of leaves that would clog drains
During a Flood…
- Listen to the radio for more information
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur, and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground
- Comply with all emergency instructions to evacuate, and secure your possessions in preparation of leaving
- Turn off all utilities before evacuating
- Do not walk through moving water; even six inches is enough to cause a fall
- Do not drive in more than a foot of water
After a Flood…
- Listen to the radio to make sure water supplies are potable
- Stay away from downed power lines
- Be extremely careful when entering a house. There might be flood damage that is not immediately noticeable
- Clean and disinfect anything that got wet. There may be possible sewage contamination.
Information courtesy of the FEMA website.
