Flood and Drowning Media Talking Points

11/25/2024

Flooding during heavy rain poses significant drowning risks in California, especially in areas prone to flash floods or rising waters. Here are safety tips to prevent injuries and fatalities during floods, along with reliable resources for further information:

1. Stay Informed:

  • Monitor local weather updates and emergency alerts via radio, television, or smartphone apps.

  • Heed flood warnings and evacuation orders immediately.

2. Avoid Flooded Areas:

  • Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and 12 inches can sweep away a vehicle.

3. Turn Around, Don’t Drown:

  • If you encounter flooded roads or bridges while driving, turn back and seek an alternate route. Floodwaters often hide dangerous currents or structural damage.

4. Do Not Underestimate Still Water:

  • Standing floodwaters may be deceptively deep and can contain hazards like sharp debris, electrical wires, or contaminants.

5. Avoid Drains and Storm Channels:

  • Floodwaters flow rapidly in drainage systems, creeks, and storm channels, posing high risks of drowning.

6. Prepare an Emergency Plan:

  • Create a family flood response plan, including safe evacuation routes and emergency contact numbers.

  • Keep a waterproof emergency kit with essentials (e.g., water, food, flashlights, and first aid).

7. Stay Away from Power Line:

  • Avoid floodwaters near downed power lines to reduce the risk of electrocution.

8. Teach Children Flood Safety:

  • Educate children to stay away from rivers, creeks, and storm drains during heavy rains.

  • Supervise them closely during flood-prone conditions.

9. Elevate to Safety:

  • If trapped in a flooding area, move to higher ground or the roof of a building, and signal for rescue.

Additional Resources:

1. National Weather Service: Flood Safety Offers guidelines and alerts specific to flooding hazards. [Flood Safety Tips] (https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood)

2. California Department of Water Resources Provides flood preparedness resources and updates. [Flood Ready California] (https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Flood-Preparedness)

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Flood Preparedness It covers health and safety risks during floods, including drowning prevention. [Flood Safety CDC] (https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/index.html)

4. Ready.gov: Floods A comprehensive resource for preparing, responding to, and recovering from floods. [Flood Safety Ready.gov] (https://www.ready.gov/floods)