Emergency Flood Instructions
Plan and practice your response to the next flood NOW.
Don’t wait until the flood is here!
November through March is the typical flood season in Lewis County. As with any potential emergency or disaster situation, there are steps you can take to prepare.
Plan and prepare now before the event occurs. Be able to take care of yourself and family for up to three to five days after a disaster strikes.
Read this information and save it for future resource information and be sure to have the listed emergency and information phone numbers where they are easily accessible.
Call 911 ONLY During a LIFE THREATENING Situation
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
INTERNET ADDRESSES/PHONE NUMBERS*:
Phone: (425) 487-4600
Phone: (360) 345-2229; Chehalis Flood Information Phone Number: (360) 748-0526
During a flood event, Lewis County Emergency Management should be the main
contact source can can be reached at (360) 740-1151.
Phone: (253) 474-0400
Phone: 1-800-562-6108
Road Information Phone: 1-800-695-ROAD (7623)
Washington State Patrol Phone: (360) 696-6161
Phone: (360) 740-1151
*Refer to the Floodplain Management document for additional contact information.
FLOOD INSURANCE
NATIONAL Flood Insurance is the only dependable financial protection against flood damage. Federal disaster assistance, available only when there is a federal disaster declaration, seldom covers all flood related losses.
- Please note: There is a 30-day waiting period after the first premium is paid before the policy is effective.
- For additional information: call your insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance toll-free number at 1-800-427-4661.
MITIGATION
PLAN TO MINIMIZE FUTURE LOSSES:
- Flood proofing: Using materials and practices that will prevent or minimize flood damage in the future.
- Retrofitting: Making changes to an existing house or other building to protect it from flooding or other hazards.
- Elevation: Raising the home above known height of floodwaters.
- Relocation: Moving a house or building to a new location outside the flood hazard area.
- Sandbags: Keep a supply of sandbags and sand on hand, and learn how to properly fill and place sandbags.
PLANNING
IDENTIFY RISKS:
- Flood Stages: Know the flood stages of the Chehalis, Skookumchuck, and Newaukum rivers.
- Verify Information: Find out if you live or work in a flood-prone area.
For Information on flood prone areas contact:
- Lewis County Community Development: 360-740-1146
- Chehalis Community Development: 360-345-2229
- Centralia Community Development: 360-330-7662
Caution: Take all historic information into consideration but remember, each flood event is unique.
CHECK RESOURCES:
- Supplies on Hand: Keep a battery-operated radio, fresh batteries, flashlights, rain gear, warm clothing, medicines, non-perishable food that requires little preparation and drinking water. Plan for power losses.
- First Aid: Learn first aid, CPR, and obtain a first aid kit.
- Store Valuables/Chemicals: Store valuables at higher elevations (second floor if possible). Make plans to put appliances and furniture up on blocks. Store household chemicals, fuels, cleaning agents, paints, insecticides, and other toxic materials above flood levels.
- Prepare: Prepare a disaster supply kit, including family pet supplies, to ensure the ability to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days.
- Sandbags: The use of sandbags is a simple, but effective, way to prevent or reduce floodwater damage. Sandbags, when properly filled and placed, can act as a barrier to divert moving water around instead of through buildings. Sand bag construction does not guarantee a watertight seal, but is satisfactory for use in most situations. Sandbags are also used successfully to prevent overtopping of leveled streams and for training current flow to specific areas. Emergency Management encourages early preparedness. Sandbags can be purchased at local retailers. Having sandbags filled and in place prior to severe flooding threats may significantly reduce your property damage.
COMPLETE PLANS:
- Route of Travel: Know the safest route from your home, farm, or business to high, safe ground. Be aware of low-lying areas that flood early and cut off your escape route
- Vehicles/Equipment: Learn where you can safely park your vehicle or equipment, or relocate your airplane.
- Business Plan: If you are a business owner, devise a plan to protect as much inventory as possible in a short period of time. This may involve creating temporary shelves or moving inventory to an alternative location.
- Animals: If you have livestock or pets, devise a plan to move them to higher non-threatened areas before a flood.
- Family Meeting: Establish a family rendezvous location in case of separation.
- Evacuation: In case of evacuation, make arrangements for temporary housing in a non-flood area.
- Neighborhood: Set up a neighborhood notification network with consideration for the elderly and handicapped.
- Utilities: Know how to turn off utilities (gas, electricity, and water) before evacuation.
RESPONSE
During a rapidly occurring event if you are overtaken by adverse conditions, implement your “PLAN” at once.
During the event, family and possessions should be in a safe place as conditions change. Be prepared to care for yourself and your family for up to 72 hours. Keep an emergency supply kit ready with food, water, medications, and clothing to be self-sustaining for at least 3 days. Monitor weather forecasts from a safe location.
- Activate: Activate the neighborhood notification network.
- Livestock/Pets: Move livestock and pets to a safe location early during daylight hours.
- Evacuation: When evacuation becomes necessary, take your emergency supplies kit, including prescription medications, to your previously planned temporary housing location. If at all possible evacuate your home or business BEFORE DARK as it is much less hazardous.
- Evacuation Route: Drive along the safe evacuation route that you have already established.
- Stalled Vehicle: If your vehicle becomes stalled in a flood area, abandon the car as soon as possible and proceed to high ground.
RECOVERY
TRANSPORTATION:
- Road/Street Closure: Roads or streets that have been closed for public safety and remain barricaded after flood water has receded are officially closed until the barricades have been removed.
RE-ENTERING YOUR HOME:
- Structural Damage: Check for structural damage that could cause the building to collapse prior to re-entry.
- Gas Leaks: Be careful when striking a match because there may have been a gas leak (explosion hazard). Contact the gas company for information before turning the gas back on. DO NOT attempt to turn it on yourself.
- Food: Do not use food or water that has come into contact with contaminated flood water.
- Drinking Water: Test drinking water for contamination. Contact Lewis County Environmental Services at (360) 740-2691.
- Dry the Structure: Dry your home or business slowly but thoroughly. You may have to remove carpets or drywall. Remember that water can get trapped between walls and will not dry. Wash everything that has been wet with bleach in order to remove mold and mildew. Items that have been exposed to flood water should be washed. Call Lewis County Environmental Services, if needed.
- Basements: Water should not be pumped out of basements too quickly. Lower the water level only a few feet each day. This will keep basement walls from collapsing.
- Repair Permit: Prior to enclosing any wall cavity contact the Chehalis Building Department and obtain a Flood Damage Repair Permit. There is no fee for this permit, but will ensure that the structure is properly repaired.
- Damage: If your Home or Business has received extensive damage, this may be the time to elevate or flood proof the structure.