Flood waters from Hurricane Wilma surround a vehicle and a building in Old Harbour, St. Catherine last year. - FILE
THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS Commission (CAC) is again issuing the warning for citizens to be proactive in their preparation for the hurricane season. While we encourage citizens to acquire critical supplies as part of a survival kit, there is an increasing concern about the deadly and destructive nature of rising flood waters.
Environmental groups and insurance agencies have proved over the years that floods are far more damaging than the hurricanes themselves.
Several families suffered early in the hurricane season in 2005 as several communities in New River, St. Elizabeth and in St James were forced to leave their waterlogged homes and move to higher ground as they were inundated by heavy rainfall.
The CAC is therefore recommending that you take the following precautions:
CHECK YOUR LAND HISTORY:
Talk with the elderly in your community and learn about the flood history of the land.
Contact the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) to verify information.
If you are in a flood prone area, design a plan for evacuation.
UPDATE YOUR FAMILY:
Post emergency phone numbers on the refrigerator door and tell family members where and when to call for help.
Learn the safest route from your home or business to higher ground.
Arrange for adequate housing in the event you need to evacuate your home.
Establish meeting points and record cellphone numbers in case family members are separated by rising flood waters.
Decide as a family how and when to turn off or remove gas cylinders, electricity and water supply.
TALK WITH NEIGHBOURS AND SHARE EVACUATION PLAN
A neighbour may be able to provide details about your property you may not have considered.
Remember, rising waters are dangerous and can always exceed its previous levels. (Until last year's Katrina hit New Orleans they had not experienced flooding of such devastation in 100 years.)
MAKE IT A HABIT TO BE FLOOD SMART:
Store valuables at higher elevations (second floor, on top of cupboards, in rafters, etc.).
Move out chemicals at any threat of flooding.
Move vehicles to higher ground.
Ensure that you seal sewers during the dry season to prevent flood waters from backing up in sewer drains during the rainy season.
KEEP EMERGENCY SUPPLIES ON HAND:
Emergency items such as a battery-operated or wind-up radio, cooking pots, flashlights, fresh batteries, non-perishable food and drinking water, essential medicines and a first-aid kit.
Keep street drains, the drains leading off your property free of leaves and other debris.
For those in the rural areas who use run-off gutters from the roofs of their homes to catch rainfall, ensure that the troughs are clean of fallen leaves and tree overhangs. If your tank is full, divert the troughs to an area where the water can be led off the property.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN A CAR:
If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it. Walk back to safety in the direction you came from.
Follow recommended evacuation routes, as shortcuts may be blocked.
Do not drive where water is over the road or past barricaded road signs.
AFTER A FLOOD:
Before re-entering your home or a building:
Check for structural damage that could cause the building to collapse. Be cautious of damaged gas cylinders, electrical shorts and live wires. Who can forget the numerous collapsed buildings after hurricane Ivan?
Listen to the ODPEM announcements to find where the shelters nearest you are located.
Use flashlights, rather than candles.
Wear rubber sole shoes to prevent getting shocked by loose wires or cut by broken glass.
Have a professional check:
Electrical panel, outlets and appliances for safety before using.
Document your losses.
Photograph damages and record repair costs.
Contact your insurance agent for flood loss claims.
SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
Listen to the radio for updates on how to access disaster assistance and follow the registration procedures. Collect documentation, meet the deadlines and go in person to process your claim.
Do not listen to hearsay. Contact the relevant authorities regarding your situation and follow their instructions.
The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), hopes that with preparation there will be fewer traumas and less stress associated with dealing with any disaster. The reality is that most of the structural damage caused during the hurricane season is as a result of flood waters. We therefore reiterate that you and your families take heed to protect lives if at anytime the property appears to be threatened by rising flood waters.
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to 
