It's spring time again in Jasper County and in recent years that's come to mean flood time.
Whether you are simply looking for safe ways to get to work or worried about your home and property, there are some links online that can help you with your water-related plans.
To keep an eye on the weather, or the water, the U.S. Geological Survey keeps a flood site for each state, including the Indiana Flood Watch page. You will find real-time flood information and stream conditions. You can also check out the National Weather Service forecast for Northern Indiana, as well as a great flood preparedness brochure with safety tips and instructions on how to pack an emergcency kit and have a family safety plan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a website about floods with sections about preparing for a flood, dealing with the aftermath, and more importantly, what to do during a flood.
Some simple tips to keep in mind, from their site:
If a flood is likely in your area, you should: Listen to the radio or television for information.
If you plan to leave your home, you should secure it. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to and upper floor. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips: Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
When driving in flood conditions: Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has another good site to check after a flood. On their site you can find specific information to deal with septic systems and drinking wells.
The Weather Whiz Kids site has a nice page of flood terms and lingo, plus family weather experiments that show the power of rain and storms.
Finally, the National Flood Insurance Program and Department of Homeland Security have a website to help you file your flood insurance claim and work through the aftermath of a flood.
Hopefully none of these sites will be needed by you or anyone you know, but it's good to know they are out there, just in case.
