Are You Prepared For The Next Flood? Were you prepared for the Flood of June 9, 2010? The Guadalupe River provides us with beautiful surroundings and recreation, but it can also turn into a raging torrent within hours when heavy rainfalls combine with the steep terrain upstream.
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.
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) has prepared and recently updated the Interim Flood Preparedness Plan and a flood guide, Staying Safe. These can be downloaded These contain critical information to help you safeguard your property and your family.
Staying Safe Flood Preparedness Plan Lake Preparedness Chart
You must personally determine when safety precautions and even evacuations are necessary for you at your individual location. We strongly recommend that all waterfront property owners and all who are affected by high water events use multiple means of communication to keep themselves informed. These multiple sources of information include:
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.
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 shelter also.
The Regional Emergency Alert Network is a Mass Notification Service. This is a supplement to television and radio. You can begin registration immediately by clicking on the following link to activate service:
We highly recommend you follow the link, create and account and sign up for this notification system. The advantage of this system is you specify where to be notified, on your mobile number, text account, email address or home phone. This system alerts you where you specify.
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.