GAME DAY 7 SCENARIO:
In the past week, the temperature has become unusually warm for winter and the snow packs up on local mountains have rapidly melted, making for full river banks throughout the area. Overnight, your local jurisdiction has receive 2 inches of rain and the weather forecast shows another 2-3 inches of rain throughout today.
Because of the rapid snow melt and heavy rains, there is high water across a number of roadways. Flooding is very visible in pastures, open fields and in a number of community park areas that sit on the rivers.
Local river crest forecasts indicate that our area will reach 100-year flood status. At least 250 homes in your county are at risk to be completely inundated with at least 2-3 feet of water. Shelters are opening up within the area to assist those who have been urged to evacuate.
The forecast anticipates heavy rains to continue for another 2 days.
Two simple questions:
- What are initial thoughts concern you relating to this situation and what would you do?
- How do you think the community should prepare for this possibility?
- Leaving your comment here on the blog
- Commenting on the Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/cresa.911
- Commenting on Twitter using the #12DaysPrepared hashtag or @CRESA in your reply
- Email your answers to cheryl.bledsoe@clark.wa.gov
3 comments:
This scenario reminds of the Red River flooding in Fargo, ND. I worked with a marketing vendor that was HQ'd out there and she had to leave the office early to help the community fill sandbags. It was literally a community effort to fill a million plus sandbags to keep the river at bay. For last year's flood preparation, the Boston Globe has some pretty decent pics:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/red_river_flooding.html
Back to our NW scenario... 250 homes in a county the size of Clark is not much, considering that there are more than 60,000 housing units just in Vancouver (according to Wikipedia). In the event that a flood in residential areas is likely, I'd ask the county assessor's office, city clerk, or local Fire dept if sandbagging the affected areas is required and see if I can help get others to volunteer to fill and place sandbags. Frankly, I have no idea who I'd ask about that. I'd also want to help put together a food/clothing/pet food donation for the affected families.
The community should already have an action plan for dealing with such a potential crisis, especially since Vancouver/Camas/Washougal all border the Columbia River. Though, it's not just residences that need community prepardeness, businesses along the river need it too. The flood damage suffered by Portland's OMSI from its 500-yr flood was significant enough to force museum to shut down to clean, sanitize, and dehumidify it.
The community plan could cover topics like sand and sandbag suppliers, volunteer groups who can be contacted at a moment's notice to help prepare sandbags, designated shelter areas (like school gymnasiums, community centers, and sports stadiums), food/water/shelter donors, etc.
1.Think about my own family and loved ones, whether they are directly affected and need a place to stay, along with their pets. Remind everyone not to drive through water (and fast-moving water) where you are unsure of it’s depth. Be aware of routes to/from home and work that don’t have a potential of flooding. Use your kit if you become stranded?
2.Purchase flood insurance. Keep important documents copied and stored securely. Plan for possible evacuation and have a family or friends place to go to outside of the flooding areas.
Having continuity in my home. Knowing what resources are effected by the flooding water. Does it affect my internet connection? Would be the questions after making sure family is well. Then to answer #2, I would work with my neighborhood community and discuss mitigation efforts such as street drain cleaning; fallen leaves clean up prior and plans to help each other.
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