Flood Information

We’ve had a wet year with record snowpack, which creates the potential for spring flooding. University Safety & Risk Management has compiled this guide to help explain what you should do before, during and after a flood to protect yourself, your home or business, your family and pets, and your belongings.

 

Before A Flood

  1. Check your flood Risk
    1. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center entering an address in the search field at the top of this page.
    2. Assess your risk: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/know-your-risk/homeowners-renters
  2. Consider getting flood insurance
    1. You can still experience flooding even if you are located outside of an area with high flood risk, and most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
  3. Create a communication plan with loved ones
    1. Designate a specific person to contact for updates, and establish a safe location to meet up with family members.
    2. Have a Plan: https://www.ready.gov/plan
  4. Assemble emergency kits
    1. We suggest having enough water, food, medicine and other supplies to last at least 72-96 hrs.
    2. Create a kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
  5. Prepare your home
    1. Catalog and take picture of your possessions in case of flood damage.
    2. Clean out blockage & debris from gutters, drains, ditches, waterways on your property.
    3. Purchase and use sandbags to divers ester and debris away from your home or business.
    4. Be prepared to evacuate if needed.

 

Safety During a Flood

  1. Stay informed
    1. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and the Utah Tech Safe App, TV and  social media.
    2. Register with your local alerting system or 911register.com.
    3. Text WCFLOOD to 888777 * for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
  2. Evacuate
    1. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect your appliances. Take your pets with you. Get to higher ground.
    2. Evacuation: https://www.ready.gov/evacuation
  3. Stay away from floodwaters
    1. Stream and rivers coming down form the mountains will be fast and cold, you should never try to cross them.
    2. Do not cross flash flooding street areas.

 

After a Flood

  1. Avoid disaster areas
    1. You could hamper rescue and emergency operations. Floodwaters could be contaminated.
  2. Contact your family and loved ones
    1. Let your family know you’re safe by using the Red Cross “Emergency!” app or the Safe and Well website; information about both of these resources can be found here. Check on your neighbors as well.
  3. Wait for the “all clear”
    1. Don’t enter a building until authorities tell you it’s safe. If you enter a building that has been damaged by a flood, be very careful. Make sure the electrical system is turned off.
  4. Stay Informed
    1. Stay tuned to your local news for updated road conditions and whether a boil order is in place. If you lose power, report the outage.
  5. Insurance
    1. If your property is damaged by a flood, stare your fold insurance claim.
    2. For more information on flooding preparation and safety, visit BeReady.Utah.gov, a website of resources hosted by the Utah Department of Public Safety
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