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Flood Preparedness

Contributed by Provi Sharpe, Director of Emergency Management and Reuse Projects, MDTAP

Spring is on the way, bringing rain and floods – one of the most common hazards in the United States. Some floods develop slowly, while others, such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. They can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. They often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud and other debris. Overland flooding occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas or when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.

DEAF Inc.’s Flood Preparedness Video offers valuable tips on how to prepare for floods.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work.

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