Flood? (house, water, good, light)

[haggardhouseelf]

We live in an area that, until dams were built, flooded regularly. Recently, we've had quite a bit of flooding due to heavy rainfall and snow - more than we usually get during the winter and spring months.

This has my husband and I thinking about preparing for more, and more major, flooding that could happen in the future. We have supplies and water and emergency gear packed in plastic tubs and ready to go, but should we also have a boat?

In some areas near where we live, just with the extra rain and snow melt we had, people were unable to get out of their driveways for many days. This was the first time we've ever seen this happen here. In some areas where it was dry, it's been weeks and it is still full of water.

The ducks and geese are loving it.

If it floods... there's no way we would be able to carry our pets and their supplies, our supplies/food, our water, our kids... in the floodwater...

Ideally we would know ahead of time and could evacuate before the water comes, but recent events have given us a glimpse at just how fast water can suddenly rise, and if a dam breaks...

[SCGranny]

As in most sudden emergencies, you have to definitively and quickly decide what you can take with you in a sudden flood - and what you must leave behind.

Boats are great, but a raft would also work; attaching empty barrels underneath a couple of pallets and building a floatworthy raft that can hold your family, supplies, and a few choice critters might be cheaper. You could keep it on blocks in your backyard, and keep handy what you could throw on it.
Because there are often fires, even blockages or other problems getting around during floods, you would also want to consider several escape routes to higher ground - and what you would do, where you would go, once you got to higher ground. Having a gas engine is great; but keep paddles about as well as poles on the raft/boat, to row, or to push off of things, or even push away things that come near (that you probably don't want to think about).

You could bug in if necessary; keep some things in your attic/upper story to feed you and provide warmth and dry shelter. If you do that, though, make sure that you also have an axe next to the roofline in case the water rises too much too quickly and you have to chop your way out!

Keep your emergency cash, IDs, and other wettable things you will need in 2 ziplock bags, one inside the other, and have them ready to grab at all times, preferably to throw in a large plastic or waterproof bag that can be zipped shut and has straps so you can run rope thru them and tie the bag down to the boat, raft, or even your waist.

That's all I've got for yuh; folks who have experienced it a lot more personally will probably advise you far better.

[Countrysue]

Buy an inflatable boat. They have boats that can fit up to 12 people. Wrap your supplies in a 'yard' garbage bag, tape it closed, then put it all in another bag.

Be sure to take pictures and documents with you. You might want to look up some hurricane preparedness sites to get a complete list.

During Hurricane Camille, we put things in garbage bags and tied them to light fixtures. We didn't have water, but some of our friends did. The things in garbage bags survived.

After Hurricane Katrina, my St. Bernard friends couldn't find some things. They just floated away. The flooding was so fierce that it moved refrigerators, dressers and turned over china cabinets. One of my St. Bernard friends found their drier on it's side with the washing machine neatly stacked,upside down, on top. (St. Bernard Parish was the worse hit area by Hurricane Katrina.)

Lastly, 2 things to take, for sure, if you go the inflatable boat route. Rope to tie off and an anchor. Go ahead and laugh, but I know someone who dumped both out as unnecessary. The flood waters got the last laugh as it carried the raft away and left them stranded on their porch!

One last thing. Do what the old timers did in New Orleans. They sunk an ax in an attic rafter. If they were trapped, they would cut their way to the roof. A number of people died in Katrina when they became trapped in their attic by the rising water and drowned.

[Bulldogdad]

Canoe.

[Countrysue]

Inflatables now come in neat little boxes. Place box out side of home. Remove inflatable from box and pull cord.

First time we got one of these, we inflated it in the living room. We assumed it would be flexible enough that we could get it thru to doorway. Nope. We finally stabbed it with knives to deflate it. When inflated, it filled our entire living room (an apartment living room) and we couldn't reach the valve to deflate it!

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by Countrysue

Inflatables now come in neat little boxes. Place box out side of home. Remove inflatable from box and pull cord.

First time we got one of these, we inflated it in the living room. We assumed it would be flexible enough that we could get it thru to doorway. Nope. We finally stabbed it with knives to deflate it. When inflated, it filled our entire living room (an apartment living room) and we couldn't reach the valve to deflate it!

Based on my experiance with both. Canoe or even better 12-13 Ft aluminum if you have the space. You can just hang them on hooks somewhere out of the way until needed.

If you lack space then yes go inflatable.

[SifuPhil]

Well, the first thing you'd have to consider is, where are you going to GO in the boat?

Yes, they're great to have during floods, but you also have be realistic about how far you'll have to go to find safe haven. We had a really bad flood here back in August and even if you had a boat you'd have had to have gone quite a few miles downstream just to find a place that hadn't been affected. And the way that river was running - well, you'd better be either the owner of a very powerful outboard or have supreme rowing skills.

Things to be considered: evac routes aren't always negotiable - try to get out as early as possible. Trying to rent a hotel or motel room once the flooding begins is usually too late. Don't rely on Red Cross or FEMA to help in the initial stages - that's all up to you.

And finally, when the waters recede - THAT'S when the REAL fun starts.

[lifelongMOgal]

First clue is don't live in a flood zone or downstream in the path of a major dam. You'd think that would be obvious enough but some folks learned the hard way last Spring/Summer along the Missouri River between it's source in Montana and all the way downstream to the Iowa/Missouri line.

It should also be noted that because of the rate water was being released from the many reservior dams that the river was closed to all boating. Many people literally built up their own dams to surround their homes using large equipment and pumped the water out as it leached through the wals of their homemade islands. While such techniques workd for some it did not for others.

I'd suggest having preps. in a climate controlled unit uphill/upstream and working to move out of the immediate floodzone if possible. Easier to say than to do. If you have pets/livestock be certain to have a plan to get them out of the floodzone to an area where they can also be cared for. Make arraingements with neighbors upsteam as how this will be handled in a flooding scenario, including the borrowing of trailers and such if you do not have them. Thus, if a flood comes, your plans are in place and ready to execute.

IMO, as this country contiues to go fiscally bankrupt, FEMA is not going to continue to meet the financial & relocation needs of flood victims except in the most severe/unexpected locations.

[PacificFlights]

You need to asses the 2 most important flooding conditions that will likely occur before deciding the evacuation process.

1. Are you talking a flash flood or is this a steady swift rise in water to flood stage?
A steady swift rise provides some escape possibilities initially so try and get the heck out wheh you can instread of watching yourself get traped. Its hard because you always hope it won't be as bad as it could be.
A flash flood can catch you unprepared especially if due to a failure of a system designed to reduce flooding. One minute its bone dry, next thing you know the water is filling in faster than you can get away.
How fast and swift the water comes will determin if run to escape is possible or if climb and escape is most likely.

2. Once the water arrives is it just there covering the ground or is it part of a system of moving currents?
Running water causes issues rlated to how you manuever in the currents. If talking swift water, many standard boats can't overcome the force of the current and all your doing is going for a ride with a useless gas engine. In thse cases you need to be looking for safe havens within a manuverable range.
If its just your typical water covering everything but not raging streams and currents, you don't need to worry about being carried away and escape is now based on ability floating the cargo on the water.
Knowing which typical scenerio you will face will enable you to decide the true ability to reach safe haven if you try.

Once you know the likely physical actions of the flood waters, you can begin planning the methods, manner and direction of the next steps. You don;t want to plan for a lazy float to safety when white water rafting is the real danager, and you don't want equipment that will dissapoint because it wasn;t really designed for you needs.

So what do you realistically belive will happen once the water starts to come and how will it behave once its here?

[MissingAll4Seasons]

A flat-bottom skiff (Jon boat) or canoe is a good option if you have somewhere to store a permanent water craft. Both are able to withstand calm-to-choppy flood waters and can be pulled or lifted over obstructions because they are relatively lightweight. If you're taking pets and children, I'd recommend the jon boat over a canoe for stability reasons; the flat bottom also makes it eaiser to use it as a skid/sled over land later if necessary. If you don't have the storage space, any of the rip-cord inflatables are a good option, even a pump or blow up inflatable would be better than nothing. Whatever option you chose, consider getting a small detachable outboard motor and storing the appropriate fuel; but definitely get multiple sets of oars. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people stuck because they've lost or broken an oar.

Life vests for you and the family, including pets, and a spare adult & child size (or adjustable) just in case. Collars/harnesses and leashes for any larger pets, even if they have a crate. For small pets, consider how you will secure, waterproof and ensure flotation of their cage or enclosure... you don't want to know how many ferrets, gerbils, hamsters and rabbits I found drowned trapped in their cages after the hurricane because they sank after going overboard.

You really can't have enough rope, bungees, zip-ties, ratchet straps, tie-downs, d-clips, caribiners, webbing and mesh... you'll need to secure everything in/on your boat or raft (or to yourself!) so it won't be lost if you get swamped or capsized.

Also consider a portable waterproof document pouch for your BOB or sealing important papers in a FoodSaver bag. A larger waterproof safe bolted down in the upper floor/attic of the house is advisable for things you need to secure but can't take with you. Backpacks and duffels aren't waterproof, so pack the large majority of your gear in separate resealable dry bags or boxes, and carry a lot of extra plastic zipper bags.