Protect Yourself from the Flood Hazard

Receiving timely information about weather conditions or other emergency events can make all the difference in knowing when to take action to be safe.

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Plan your transportation and a place to stay.

The safest way to survive a flood is to evacuate the area if advised to leave. To ensure that you will be able to act quickly should the need arise, you need to plan ahead.

• Develop a safety plan for your family and pets in case of evacuation.
• If you will evacuate by car, keep your car fueled and in good condition. Keep emergency supplies and a change of clothes in your car.
• If you need to relocate for an extended period of time, identify a place away from home now where you could go if you had to leave. Consider family or friends who live outside of the local area.
• If you expect to go to a shelter after evacuating, check the American Red Cross Shelters Information. If you have pets and plan to go to a shelter, call to inquire whether the shelter can accommodate your pets.

Take time now to make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.

• Assemble a survival kit in advance that has items such as a first-aid kit, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, etc. Visit Ready.gov for more information.
• Put important papers and insurance policies in a safe place away from potential flooding.
• Fill necessary prescriptions, and stock up on any necessary medical supplies.
• Have enough cash for a few days. ATMs and credit card readers require power to operate.

• Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy.
• Prepare or update a list of your home's contents by taking pictures or videotaping each room in the house.

Review the guide for for important information such as evacuation routes and property protection measures.

Review the Town's Guide to Emergency Preparedness

Local stations WYKZ 98.7 FM, WGCO 98.3 FM and WWVV 106.9 FM or SC emergency broadcast stations give up-to-date information.

Take steps to protect your property from flood damage.

• Make sure windows and doors are locked and covered with storm shutters or plywood.
• Easily damaged items should be moved to the highest location possible.
• Move outdoor furniture and potted plants indoors.
• Unplug small appliances and turn off all utilities.
• Chemicals, insecticides, herbicides or gasoline should be put in water tight containers and in a high spot.

If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Follow directions given by plantation security, firefighters, sheriff's deputies and SC Highway Patrol troopers to the designated evacuation routes.

• Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of deaths during a flood event. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
• Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.
• Don't drive around road barriers. A road or bridge may be washed out.
• Drive safely using designated evacuation routes.
• Stay away from dangling power lines and electrical wires.

• If your home was severely flooded, you may only be able to enter when officials say it is safe to do so. Stay out of any building surrounded by floodwaters.
• Follow proper safety precautions before using your food, water supply and septic system.
• Get permits before you build back.