Flash Flood Safety (Combined) videos - English - October 2021

World Meteorological Organization - WMO

26 Oct 202102:59

Summary

TLDRStay safe during flash floods by following three key steps: stay informed with weather updates, prepare an emergency kit with essentials, and know evacuation routes. In case of a warning, act quickly, evacuate if necessary, and avoid floodwaters. After the flood, wait for authorities' clearance, check for damages, and be cautious of electricity and contaminated water.

Takeaways

🌧️ Stay informed: Keep up with weather reports on radio, TV, or online if you live in a flood-prone area.
📡 Watch for warning signs: Pay attention to heavy rain and evacuation routes.
🧰 Prepare an emergency kit: Include water, non-perishable food, a can opener, torch, batteries, and a first aid kit.
📄 Protect important documents: Keep copies in a sealed waterproof package.
🔌 Turn off utilities: Shut off electricity and gas before floodwaters rise.
🏠 Move essential items: Elevate valuable belongings to protect them from floodwaters.
🚨 Follow evacuation orders: Leave immediately if advised and avoid driving or walking in floodwaters.
🚗 Avoid driving in floods: Just 30 cm of water can carry away a car.
⚠️ Be cautious at night: It's harder to detect flood dangers after dark, so be extra prepared.
🏡 After the flood: Wait for authorities to declare the area safe before returning home, and check for structural damage and contamination risks.

Q & A

What are the three vital steps to stay safe during a flash flood?
-The three vital steps are to stay informed, act quickly, and check for danger.
Why is it important to stay informed during a flash flood?
-Staying informed allows you to monitor weather updates and warning signs, such as heavy rain, and prepare for potential evacuation.
What should be included in an emergency kit for a flash flood?
-An emergency kit should include bottled water, non-perishable food, a can opener, a torch, batteries, a first aid kit, and copies of important documents in a waterproof package.
What are some preventive measures to take in your home before a flood occurs?
-You should turn off the electrical power and gas supply, move essential items to higher places out of the flood's reach, and ensure that your family knows what to do in an emergency.
What actions should be taken as soon as a flash flood warning is issued?
-You should stop what you're doing, think calmly about the next steps, follow evacuation orders, and seek higher ground while avoiding moving water.
Why is it especially important to be prepared for flash floods at night?
-It’s harder to recognize flood dangers at night, so being prepared ensures quick and safe responses even in the dark.
Why is it dangerous to drive or walk in floodwater during a flash flood?
-Even 30 centimeters of floodwater can carry a car away, and walking through it can be dangerous due to unseen currents and hazards.
What should you do after a flood before returning home?
-Wait until authorities declare the area safe, and then carefully check for structural damage and ensure electricity is turned off due to the potential danger in wet conditions.
What precautions should be taken regarding water use after a flood?
-Check the water supply for contamination before drinking or washing, as floodwaters can cause contamination.
Why is it important to share information about flash flood preparedness with loved ones?
-Sharing the information ensures that everyone understands what to do before, during, and after a flash flood, increasing the chances of staying safe.

Outlines

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🌧️ Be Flash Flood Ready: Key Preparations

Flash floods can be deadly, and there are three critical steps to ensure safety: staying informed, acting quickly, and checking for danger. If you live in a flood-prone area, it is important to keep up with weather updates via radio, TV, or online sources. Watch for warning signs like heavy rain and know your evacuation routes. Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, a can opener, a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit. Store important documents in a waterproof package, turn off electrical and gas supplies, and move essential items to higher ground. Make sure your family knows what to do in case of an emergency.

🛑 Immediate Actions During a Flash Flood

When a flash flood warning is issued, remain calm and consider the best course of action. It can be harder to spot flood dangers at night, so stay extra alert. Follow evacuation orders without delay and monitor emergency broadcasts for updates. If evacuating, never drive or walk through floodwater, and avoid bridges, as just 30 centimeters of water can sweep a car away. Seek higher ground immediately. Being prepared and responding swiftly are key to staying safe during a flash flood.

🏡 Returning Home Safely After a Flood

After a flood, it is natural to want to return home quickly, but it is vital to wait until authorities declare the area safe. Once allowed to return, inspect your home carefully for structural damage. Be cautious of electrical hazards, as electricity is extremely dangerous in flooded conditions; wearing rubber gloves or leather boots can provide some protection. Seek medical care for any injuries and check the safety of your water supply before drinking or using it, as it may be contaminated. Following these steps ensures a safe return to normal life after the flood.

📢 Share to Stay Safe: Flash Flood Preparedness Tips

To ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones, it's important to share these flash flood preparedness tips. Encourage everyone to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and know how to safely return home after a flood. By spreading awareness, you can help others stay safe and ready for flash floods.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Flash flood

A flash flood is a rapid and extreme rise in water level within a short period of time, often caused by heavy rainfall or a dam failure. It is a dangerous natural phenomenon that can lead to loss of life and property. In the video, flash floods are the main theme, with advice on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from them.

💡Stay informed

Staying informed means keeping up-to-date with the latest information, especially regarding weather conditions. In the context of the video, it is crucial to monitor weather reports to anticipate flash floods. The script advises checking radio, TV, or online sources for weather updates.

💡Evacuation routes

Evacuation routes are the planned paths or directions to be taken to move people out of harm's way during a disaster. The video emphasizes the importance of knowing these routes in areas prone to flooding to ensure a quick and safe evacuation if necessary.

💡Emergency kit

An emergency kit is a collection of essential supplies and tools that one might need in case of an emergency. The video suggests preparing an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, a can opener, a torch, batteries, and a first aid kit to be ready for flash floods.

💡Non-perishable food

Non-perishable food refers to food items that have a long shelf life and do not require refrigeration. In the video, non-perishable food is recommended for an emergency kit because it can be stored for a long time without spoiling and is useful during a flash flood when access to fresh food might be limited.

💡Waterproof package

A waterproof package is a sealed container designed to protect its contents from water damage. The video advises keeping copies of important documents in a waterproof package to prevent them from being destroyed by floodwaters.

💡Turn off utilities

Turning off utilities refers to shutting down essential services like electricity and gas to prevent further damage or hazards during a disaster. The video script mentions turning off the electrical power and gas supply as a safety measure before a flash flood.

💡Evacuation orders

Evacuation orders are official instructions to leave a certain area due to imminent danger. The video stresses the importance of following evacuation orders immediately if they are issued during a flash flood warning.

💡Higher ground

Higher ground refers to areas that are at a higher elevation and less likely to be flooded. The video advises seeking higher ground during a flash flood to avoid the dangers of moving water and floodwaters.

💡Structural damage

Structural damage is harm to the physical construction of a building or infrastructure. After a flood, the video advises checking for structural damage before re-entering a home to ensure it is safe.

💡Contaminated water

Contaminated water is water that has been polluted with harmful substances. The video warns that floodwaters can contaminate water supplies, so it is important to check the water supply before drinking or washing with it.

Highlights

Flash floods can be deadly, so it's important to follow key safety steps before, during, and after a flood.

Stay informed about weather conditions via radio, TV, or online sources if you live in a flood-prone area.

Keep an eye on warning signs like heavy rain and know your evacuation routes.

Prepare an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, a can opener, a torch, batteries, and a first aid kit.

Store important documents in a sealed waterproof package to prevent loss or damage.

Turn off electrical power and gas supplies before floodwaters rise.

Move essential items to higher ground to avoid floodwater damage.

Ensure that your family understands the emergency plan and knows what to do in case of a flood.

As soon as a flash flood warning is issued, stop what you're doing, think calmly, and act quickly.

Recognizing flood dangers can be harder at night, so stay extra vigilant and prepared.

If evacuation orders are issued, follow them immediately and avoid bridges, as even 30 centimeters of water can sweep away a car.

Seek higher ground and avoid walking or driving through floodwater to stay safe.

After a flood, wait for authorities to declare the area safe before returning home.

Check for structural damage to your home and be cautious around electrical sources.

Always ensure your water supply is safe before drinking or washing after a flood.