MRCC - Flood Awareness - During & After a Flood

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Flood Awareness - During & After a Flood

DURING: Weather & Flood Predictions | Preparing for Imminent Flood | Evacuation | Finding Local Information
AFTER: Immediate/Short-Term after a Flood | Long-Term after a Flood

Weather, Current Conditions & Flood Predictions
What is the weather forecast?	NOAA Weather Forecsts NOAA National Hurricane Center NOAA Storm Prediction Center NOAA River Forecast Centers
What is the predicted flood level?	NOAA Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services with river forecasts and gage data. USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science map library tool helps states and communities communicate where flooding may occur over a range of river levels.
Where can I see current stream and river levels for my area?	Real-time streamflow data available online from the US Geological Survey (USGS). USGS WaterWatch portal contains current streamflow, drought, flood, and past flow/runoff. USGS WaterAlert service sends an email or text message when certain parameters exceed user-defined thresholds - must subscribe in advance.
Are there any apps for my SmartPhone or other mobile devices?	USGS WaterNow gives you on-demand, current conditions for water data directly to your mobile phone or email. Applications and tools that showcase USGS water data are available - some must be purchased.

Preparing for an Imminent Flood
How do I prepare if a flood seems imminent?	Things to do if a flood and evacuation seem imminent (Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340128_Flood.pdf
How do I shelter in place?	Guidelines for sheltering in place (FEMA) http://www.ready.gov/shelter Shelter in Place Info (CDC: Centers for Disease Control) http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/

Evacuation Information
When do I evacuate?	Current severe weather warnings (NWS) http://www.weather.gov/
What should I take with me?	Checklist of emergency supplies (Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340128_Flood.pdf List of suggested emergency supplies, including medications (ReadyPA)
Where do I go for shelter?	Map search tool with shelter locations (ARC) - http://www.redcross.org/nss/ Shelter in place info (CDC) https://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/
Where can I find information on travel conditions?	National Traffic and road closure information (DOT) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/
Is it safe to drive?	Driving instructions and tips for during the flood (FEMA) http://www.ready.gov/floods Don’t drive through water! (NWS) http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/tadd/images/NSC_FinalVersion1-4.pdf
What do I need to consider when evacuating someone with special needs?	Plans for people with disabilities during emergencies http://www.disastersrus.org/MyDisasters/disability/epips1disability.pdf Emergency evacuation planning guide for people with disabilities (NFPA) Guidelines for emergency planning for children, elderly, and disabled residents (Ready PA)
What do I do with my large/farm animals?	Preparing farms and farm animals for flood (USDA) https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/disaster-planning For farm animals, see pages 16-17 (Ready PA) http://www.pema.pa.gov/planningandpreparedness/readypa/Pages/Pets,-Service-Animals-and-Livestock.aspx#.V9B_vaMo6Uk

Finding Local Information
How do I get in contact with my local Emergency Management Agency (EMA)?	Ohio Emergency Management Agency - http://ema.ohio.gov/ Indiana Department of Homeland Security - http://www.in.gov/dhs/index.htm Pennsylvania EMA coordinators by county (PEMA) http://www.pema.pa.gov/about/Daily%20Document%20Updates/County_Coordinators.pdf
Where can I get local flood information?	Channels for emergency info (FCC) http://www.fcc.gov/guides/emergency-communications Find local information for emergencies (FEMA) - http://www.ready.gov/

After a Flood: Immediate and Short-Term
Is my house habitable?	Hazards to watch out for when re-entering your home (Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m14240163_ReturningHomeChecklist.pdf Health checklist for repairing your flooded home http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/docs/flood_checklist.pdf Removing mold (CDC) - http://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm How to check for damages (ARC) http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/home-structural-elements
My home is damaged - who do I tell, what can I do before the insurance agent arrives, and how do I rebuild?	Call your municipality for a preliminary damage assessment Repairing your flooded home (FEMA & Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/ m4340131_ReturningHome_ENG.pdf How to recover after a flood (EPA) - https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/flooding Rebuilding water damaged homes (HUD & Healthy Homes) http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=afhh_water_damaged.pdf Clean-up guide for do-it-your-selfers and contractors (Natl Center for Healthy Housing) http://www.nchh.org/portals/0/contents/floodcleanupguide_screen_.pdf
What financial assistance is available?	FEMA grant assistance number: 1 (800) 368-6498 Flood insurance requirements under NFIRA (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3323 Flood insurance for communities through NFIP (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system Pennsylvania state public assistance available (PEMA) http://www.pema.pa.gov/responseandrecovery/Disaster-Assistance/Pages/Individual_Assistance.aspx#.V9CAwaMo6Uk Disaster assistance from FEMA - http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
When can I enter my home and what steps should I take after I do?	Cleaning up after a flood http://www.floodsafety.com/national/property/cleanup/ Flood clean-up (EPA) - http://www.epa.gov/iaq/flood/ Flood cleanup (NFIP) http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/preparation_recovery/ after_a_flood.jsp Going through belongings and cleaning up (NFIP) http://www.floodsmart.gov/toolkits/flood/downloads/AfterFloodFactSheet-08-2010.pdf Hazards to watch out for when re-entering your home (Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m14240163_ReturningHomeChecklist.pdf Risks to consider when re-entering your home (PA Dept of Health) http://www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Emergency%20Preparedness/Pages/Safety-After-Flooding.aspx#.V9CBG6Mo6Uk
I have/do not have insurance - what do I do?	Filing an insurance claim (NFIP) http://www.floodsmart.gov/toolkits/flood/downloads/AfterFloodFactSheet-08-2010.pdf
Where can I get basic necessities?	Red Cross: Find your local shelter http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery/find-an-open-shelter Salvation Army contacts http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
How do I handle my belongings?	Saving family treasures guidelines http://www.archives.gov/preservation/disaster-response/guidelines.html Salvage techniques for documents https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/3.-emergency-management/3.6-emergency-salvage-of-wet-books-and-records
Where can I recover vital records?	Ways to replace various important documents (usa.gov) http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Family-Issues/Vital-Docs.shtml
Where can I find information about travel conditions?	Interactive tool to show emergency routes and detours (DVRPC) http://www.dvrpc.org/Operations/IDrum.htm National Traffic and Road Closure Information (DOT) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/

After a Flood: Long-Term
How does my community begin to rebuild?	Community Recovery Planning Guide (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1558
What can I do to lessen my loss next time?	Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings – info about making repairs to lessen the chance of flooding (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1636 Methods to prevent future floods from damaging your home (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3262 Links to floodproofing documents (USACE) http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/ProjectPlanning/nfpc.aspx
What is mitigation?	Briefly explains mitigation; has links to FEMA, USACE resources for mitigation funding and technical assistance; links to Federal legislation affecting mitigation funding (ASFPM) http://www.floods.org/index.asp?menuID=333&firstlevelmenuID=187&siteID=1
What funding is available for mitigation?	Hazard Mitigation Grant Program info (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program info (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/flood-mitigation-assistance-program DHS/FEMA grants (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/grants “Post-Disaster Stream Recovery Brochure” pdf has info on funding and the assistance offered by various federal agencies (PEMA) http://www.pema.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pema_home/4463 H2O PA Act funding (PA DCED) https://dced.pa.gov/programs/h20-pa-water-supply-sanitary-sewer-storm-water-projects/
What do I need a permit for?	“Post-Disaster Stream Recovery Brochure” pdf has info on permitting (PEMA) http://www.pema.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pema_home/4463 “Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings” – info about permitting for home repairs and improvements (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1636 Floodplain management regulations – PA DEP https://dced.pa.gov/download/floodplain-management-regulations-2010-pdf/#.V9CCCE0o6Uk
What do I do about my crop damage?	Salvaging crops after flooding (North Dakota State University) http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/farm-ranch/salvaging-crops-after-flooding Assistance available for farm and crop damage (USDA) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=landing
How can I help others recover from a flood?	Donation and volunteer opportunities (Corporation for National and Community Service) - https://www.nationalservice.gov/ Opportunities to donate and volunteer with the Red Cross (ARC) http://www.redcross.org/support Voluntary organizations (VOAD) - http://www.nvoad.org/