The landscape of the Texas Coastal Plain is changing.  Populations are steadily advancing into floodplains across the Greater Houston/Galveston area.  It makes sense to protect yourself against the possibility that a major flood could affect your life.  

Since weather-related deaths from flooding occur more often than all the other weather-related deaths combined, and since the cost of flood damage is soaring into the billions of dollars each year, you should know what to do when a flood occurs near you. 

Here are the steps you need to take now:

1. Protect your family with a Disaster Supplies Kit containing a first aid kit, canned food, manual can opener, bottled water, rubber boots, rubber gloves, NOAA weather radio, battery-powered commercial radio, flashlight and extra batteries.  It never hurts to include some extra cash.
   

2. Protect your past.  Save your irreplaceable items such as pictures,    family heirlooms and documents in a lockable plastic storage container. Store on a high closet shelf.  If you can’t take it with you, it has better protection there.
   

3. Protect your present.  Buy flood insurance now.  Over 25% of the National Flood Insurance Program claims come from homes outside of recognized flood plains. 
   

4. Protect your future.  You can make your home more flood-resistant by turning off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box if floodwaters threaten your home.  This will help prevent damage to appliances and reduce risk of electrocution.  Storing valuable items on high shelves and raising outside air conditioning units on platforms also help reduce flood damage.
   

5. Protect others.  The vast majority of flood-related deaths occur when people drive through flooded roads or walk through floodwaters.  Too many people are rescued by emergency personnel simply because they fail to be flood-wise.  Putting yourself and emergency rescue personnel at risk is not smart. Be flood-wise!  Unless you are specifically told by authorities to evacuate, stay where you are during a flood event.  Go up on the roof if you have to. This helps keep roads clear for emergency personnel and greatly improves everyone’s chances of surviving the flood safely.
   

6. Protect your peace of mind.  Know your evacuation routes.  Have detailed maps to navigate alternate routes if the usual roads are flooded.  Plan ahead for the flood.  To where would you evacuate? Where is the contact information for your insurance agent and home-repair contractor?  Get answers to all your questions before a flood occurs.  Above all, remain clam and follow your plan of action.  Many flood deaths result from fear and not knowing what to do.  Don’t let this happen to you!

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