Are You Prepared for the Next Flood?
Are you familiar with past flooding in your neighborhood? If not, talk to your long time neighbors. The flood of 1998 is the worst we have experienced since Canyon Lake was built, but an even higher flood is still possible.
Not knowing what to do can cost your life!
Don’t wait for a weather event to start before making a plan. Use these resources to prepare in advance:
Do you have a plan for what to do when the next flash flood threatens?
Do you know what the emergency sirens mean?
Do you know how river flows in cubic feet per second (CFS) relate to flooding in your area?
Do you know where to get information during a flood event?
How Does The Flood of 2010 Compare?
GBRA reports that the water flow at the McQueeney Dam peaked at 46,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). That places the flood level above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level. For comparison, the 1998 flood was over 200,000 cfs. The good news is this flood was of much shorter duration than the one in 2002. Normal water flow can range from about 200 to 5000 cfs.
Bookmark These Sources:
Don't depend on just one source of information, use multiple sources.
The worst thing you can do is call police and fire departments, GBRA and other groups which are monitoring and providing emergency services during disasters; you will tie up their telephones and manpower, slowing down their response to those who are in immediate need of emergency assistance.
Another little known fact is that many cell phone towers are not backed up by battery power. This means that if power fails in an area, cell phone reception may also be down.
One of the best ways to make sure you get hyper local updates and information is to be in touch with your neighbors and ask them what impacts they have experienced in past floods.
Have a high water evacuation plan in place with your family. Predetermine a meeting location should you be separated in an emergency.
Don’t forget your pets need a plan and shelter also. Make sure they have a collar and are microchipped in order to help reunite in the event of a disaster.
Regional Emergency Alert Network
The Regional Emergency Alert Network is a Mass Notification Service. This is a supplement to television and radio. The test alarm can be heard every Saturday at noon.
We highly recommend you follow the link, create and account and sign up for this notification system.
You can begin registration immediately by clicking on the following link to activate service: