How to prepare for and respond to a flood

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers these tips for preparing for and responding to a flood:

Before

• Prepare a kit containing drinking water, first-aid supplies, canned food, a radio, a flashlight and blankets.

• Know routes from home, work and school that are on higher ground.

• Consider buying flood insurance, or make sure your existing policy is up to date. More than 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from areas at low to moderate risk, FEMA says. For information about flood insurance, go to www.floodsmart.gov.

During

• Go to higher ground and get out of areas that are subject to flooding.

• Avoid flooded areas, especially if the water is flowing fast. Don't walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.

• Never drive through a flooded road. You may lose control of the vehicle or it may stall. If your vehicle is caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.

After

• Don't turn on the electricity in your home if you detect gas or if the electrical system has been flooded.

• Clean and disinfect everything that was touched by floodwater or mud, and throw out any such food.

For cleaning hard surfaces, use a solution of 1 cup of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water (a ratio of 1 to 16). Wear gloves and protective eyewear.

• Damaged items that can't be cleaned and disinfected should be placed in plastic trash bags that can be tightly sealed to contain mold. Items that can be salvaged should be placed in a safe place to dry.

• Follow directions from local officials regarding the safety of drinking water. You may be instructed to boil water or to use bottled water.

• Stay out of floodwaters. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.