Preparedness tips

VICTORIA – With increased precipitation levels today, many communities are continuing to face flood impacts while others are beginning to experience it. Preparing for a potential flood, protecting yourself during a flood and getting your home in order after being impacted by a flood can seem overwhelming.

Flood water may contaminate drinking water supplies, introduce pollutants and debris into your home and lead to malfunction of sewage disposal systems. Protecting yourself and your family from illness is a critical part of getting your life back to normal. Following a substantial flood there may also be damage to roads and utilities in your community. Electricity may be shut off, telephone and internet may not work, and basic services like sewage and water may not be available for some time.

With planning and preparation, the impact of any disaster can be minimized. Here are some resources:

How to prepare for a flood:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/preparing-for-a-flood.pdf

What to do during the flood:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/what-to-do-during-a-flood.pdf

What to do after the flood:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/what-to-do-after-the-flood.pdf

Sewage Systems and Flooding:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/sewage_systems_and_flooding.pdf

Here are some additional tips and links on sandbagging, creating an emergency kit, alerting sources, and landscaping to manage water run-off:

www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/campaigns/bc-flood-ready.html

December 10, 2014