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MCC Daily Tribune

How Best to Prepare For, React to, and Recover from Incidents of Flooding

Flooding, whether caused by heavy rains, melting snow, or storm surges can and often cause significant damage to homes, businesses, public utilities (telephone, water purification infrastructure, electrical power transmission), and roadways. In addition, flood waters can pose serious health risks to the residents of a community.

In Monroe County, there exists a number of geographical locations which consist of economically and residentially developed areas that are prone to flooding. An example would be the Lake Ontario shoreline ranging from the Town of Hamlin to Sodus Point. Additionally, creeks and rivers that traverse the County are potential flood zones, especially when their ability to accept above average levels of precipitation exceeds the capacity limits of the creek or river itself. The end result of this action often leads to damage to property, homes, roadways, and increases the probability of health related risks to residents located in the flood zone.

There are measures you can take to reduce the risk to persons and property if you work or reside in a potential flood zone. A few of these measures you can take are:

  • Contact your insurance company and inquire as to whether your property is required to maintain flood insurance. If so, request a copy of the "Flood Zone Coverage Map" which will show you the geographical span of which is likely to flood during a severe weather event.
  • Identify alternative methods of transportation to and from important locations such as the local Hospital, Red Cross Shelter, or Grocery Store. When main roads are closed due to flooding and/or debris, you may need to travel an alternative route go get where you need to go.
  • Never operate a motor vehicle during unsafe travel conditions. The average vehicle can be swept off the roadway by approximately 12 inches of moving water. Driving through standing water on the roadway, in a parking lot, or traversing through a bridge underpass could leave you stranded in an unsafe location.
  • Identify in your community where you can obtain sandbags, which when used as a barrier between rising and encroaching flood waters, can reduce damage to homes and businesses during a flood. The time to identify where you can obtain sandbags is before the flood event, not during.
  • Flood waters often times bring with them bacteria caused by debris and hazardous materials absorbed into the flood waters themselves. It is important to limit unprotected contact with flood waters by wearing proper protective equipment such as rubber boots (commonly referred to as hip waders), water resistant coveralls, a suitable rain jacket, rubber gloves and a waterproof hood/hat. Take frequent breaks when dealing with potentially contaminated water and if there is no genuine need to come into contact with potentially contaminated flood waters avoid the practice altogether.

Attached are two documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of how best to prepare for, react to, and recover from flooding in your community. I urge you to make a copy of them, review them, and maintain a copy of them where you store your important documents. Additional information on how best to prepare for potential flooding in your community can be found at https://www.ready.gov/floods

If you have any questions pertaining to the preparation for, response to, or recovery from flooding incidents in your community, please contact Emergency Manager Chuck DiSalvo at cdisalvo@monroecc.edu or call x2926.

Attached Files:
FEMA Prepare for a Flood Document.pdf
How to Prepare for a Flood Document.pdf

Charles DiSalvo
Public Safety
09/24/2018