Flood Safety Tips

(WTNH) - Flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster and can happen in every state, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency . Here are FEMA's flood safety tips.

Step 1: Get a Kit

• Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Prepare your family

• Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
• Purchase a flood insurance policy if you do not already have one or review your current insurance policy to ensure your home and contents are adequately covered.

Step 3: Be Informed

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a flood hazard

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

 This is an abbreviated version of a flood preparedness page from Ready.gov . For additional information and more links visit http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/floods.html