Emergency Flood Checklist 2023

by Ronel Forbes

June 30, 2023

One of the most common natural disasters is a flood, which can occur anywhere. Included in this is dry desert terrain, where gorges and washes are particularly susceptible to flash floods. And it includes urban regions as well, where torrential downpour over a paved cityscape frequently results in severe runoff and overflowing channelized streams, and where storm drains may become clogged with debris or simply because of the amount of precipitation.

Floods can kill and sicken people, cost billions of pesos in property and infrastructure damage, disrupt transportation and services for days or even weeks, and cause seasonal floodplain overflows or catastrophic 500-year inundations.

Here’s how to get ready for high water in your area! (The Department of Science and technology statistics.)

Nature of Floods

Floods come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and schedules. They might engulf entire towns or regions, or just one seaside area. Hydrologists distinguish between rapid-onset floods, which are “flashier” events that rise and fall more quickly, and slow-onset floods, which may gradually build from multiday rainfall and last for weeks or months. Heavy and/or persistent precipitation may cause streams and rivers to overflow their banks. Spring snowmelt may also cause flooding. Ice jams can cause flooding in several areas of the nation.

A “storm tide,” which can pound coastal areas with waters more than 20 feet over the typical tidal reach, can also occur when a storm surge coincides with high tide. Of course, failures of artificial infrastructure, such as ruptured levees or dams or burst pipes, can also result in floods.

Flood Risks

Knowing how dangerous rising water can be is essential for effective flood preparation. Deceptively powerful, overland floodwaters may sweep a car away with just a foot or two of water and can knock you completely off your feet with just six inches. Overflow may also be contaminated, and there is also a risk of electrocution (cars can sometimes stall down in surprisingly shallow water, leaving occupants vulnerable and trapped).

In short, avoid entering floodwaters if at all possible, whether you come across them while fleeing on foot or in a car, or even inside your home. In addition to property damage or destruction, obstructed access to highways, outages of power, and contaminated municipal water supplies, flood consequences can also involve drowning, electrocution, waterborne sickness, and other immediately life-threatening outcomes.

Flood Preparation for Your Home

In Metro Manila, flooding is a common occurrence, so it shouldn’t be shocking after a lot of rain. If you reside in a flood-prone neighborhood of Manila, make sure to take extra security measures in advance.

What to do during a flood?

Before the waves rise too much, turn off any electrical supply at the main switch. Take safety measures to avoid electric shocks.
Get to a higher area right away, then wait until it is secure.
Avoid the floodwaters. It might have poisonous compounds in it, sharp objects, or fast-moving water could sweep you off your feet.
If wading through water is your only option, pick a spot where the water is quiet and use a stick to feel for solid ground where you can walk.
Avoid driving through any flooded roads you come across while driving. The roads in Manila are already subpar in normal circumstances, but flooding may conceal deep trenches or exposed manholes.
If your car breaks down in a flood, get out and drive to a higher location.

After the Flood

Be cautious of downed electrical wires since they present a risk of electrocution, especially when they are close to standing water.
If you left your house during the flood and are about to enter, look for cracks and other damage.
Try to stay away from the floodwater because it will be filled with poisonous materials, sewage, and garbage. When cleaning, put on safety gear, such as rubber gloves and boots.
Use only clean water for drinking, food preparation, and personal hygiene. Use only clean dishes and food that has not been affected by floodwater.

Keep in mind that following flooding, there is a significant danger of diarrhea and other infections. Read “After a disaster, beware of diarrhea” for easy strategies to protect your family against diarrhea.

Putting a Flood File Together

DOST advises keeping a “personal flood file,” which is a collection of important documents kept in a waterproof container, as part of your flood checklist. A full inventory of your key items, including serial numbers and receipts for appliances, should be included in said file, along with copies of your insurance information.

Emergency Kit and Flood Checklist

In the event of a flood, you might need to flee and won’t be able to get back home for a while, and it’s possible that both during and after the flooding, goods and services will be disrupted. This implies that before a flood threatens, it’s crucial that you have an emergency preparation kit available.

This should consist of enough water and non-perishable food to last at least three days and ideally a week or more. The following items should also be included in your flood preparedness/flood evacuation kit(s): first aid supplies, any prescription medications, toiletries, insulated clothing (including raingear), sleeping bags, and/or blankets, flashlights (and spare batteries), a charged cellphone, spending money, credit cards, and other necessities.

Creating an Action Plan for Floods

When you know where you’re going, it’s significantly simpler to evacuate before or during a flood. This entails creating a flood action plan that your entire household is familiar with. Locate high ground escape routes in your community, as well as near your place of employment and educational institutions.

Make a list of friends or relatives you might be able to stay with in case you need to flee the area in the event of a significant or protracted flood. Make sure everyone’s phones are set up with emergency numbers, and choose a family member who lives elsewhere to act as a point of contact in case of an emergency.

True, practice makes perfect. If you’ll excuse the pun, “dry runs” put the finishing touches on any flood evacuation strategy. To ensure that everyone is familiar with the procedure, practice simulated flood scenarios on a regular basis with your family. These activities will help you uncover any potential problems with your plan in addition to boosting your confidence.

Forecasts of flooding and evacuation orders

The PAG-ASA issues a “Flood Watch” (or “Flash Flood Watch”) when the circumstances are favorable for flooding; a “Flood Warning” (or “Flash Flood Warning”) indicates a flood is currently occurring or is about to do so. Keep an eye out for notifications from the National Television Forecast Centers, which track actual and forecasted river levels.

Even if it should go without saying, we’ll say it anyway: obey any evacuation orders issued by local or state authorities. It is best to seek secure high ground as soon as possible before a flood because major evacuation routes are likely to be congested.

Please read: WHEN DRIVING ON FLOODED ROADS

Conclusion

If a flood watch or warning has been issued, in addition to the general precautions we discussed above, you might need to carry out some last-minute preparation. Move valuable documents, rugs, furniture, and other possessions to higher floors of your home (but remember, once again:

Evacuation is the most crucial course of action in many circumstances, and you should certainly obey by any evacuation orders given by local or regional authorities). You can also wind up turning off your home’s water and/or services if instructed to do so. In advance of rain, clean up the twigs and other debris from your gutters and downspouts.

Avoid being caught off guard by floodwaters by creating a flood checklist, putting together an emergency package, creating (and practicing) an evacuation plan, and keeping up with weather/hydrographic forecasts and any emergency declarations.