Besides being Severe Weather Awareness Week, this is also Flood Safety Awareness Week, and Lyon County Zoning and Floodplain Administrator Sam Seeley encourages residents to take flooding seriously.
Seeley also says there is a new reporting tool available for residents — the Kansas Flood Observation Reporting Tool, or FORT.
Once residents find the Recurring Flood ID Project on the state website, www.ks.gov, they will need to select the “Add Flood Location,” select the severity level and then draw a square or polygon that best shows the flooding area. Residents will also be asked to list the type of flood, if water rescues were needed, how often the area floods and other kinds of information.
The FORT tool could lead to area-specific awareness efforts. Seeley says this could make it easier for county officials to determine where to raise roads, add drainage or add other flood mitigation efforts.
Flood safety tips from the State of Kansas
*Do not walk through flowing water. Six inches of moving water is enough to knock you off your feet.
*Do not drive through a flooded area. Two feet of water will carry away most cars. One foot of water can displace 1,500 pounds of weight. A that car weighs less than 1,500 pounds could float in a foot of water.
*Stay away from downed power lines and also electrical lines in your own home. Electrical current can travel through water.
*Watch for animals and snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in your home.
*Watch your step. After a flood the ground is covered with debris including broken glass and sharp objects just below the mud. Wet or muddy steps can be slippery.
*Use a flashlight to check for gas leaks. Soapy water on gas lines will reveal leaks as soap bubbles form. Don’t use candles or smoke until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
*Have an evacuation plan for yourself and family members. Choose a route and a meeting place.
*Prepare an emergency kit in a portable container. Make it small enough to grab quickly and go. Suggested items for such a kit include portable radio, flashlight, spare batteries, spare car keys, spare pair of glasses, prescription medication, nonperishable food items, bottled water, first aid kit, blanket, list of important numbers, and copies of important papers.
*Shut off utilities beforehand. Make sure family members know how to shut off gas at the meter and power at the breaker box.
*Consider buying flood insurance now. Normally, there is a 30-day waiting period before policies go into effect.
