FEMA For Kids: Young Americans Prepare: Becoming Disaster Ready

Young Americans Prepare: Becoming Disaster Ready

Floods

Introduction: Flooding happens during heavy rains, when rivers overflow, when ocean waves come onshore, when snow melts too fast or when dams or levees break. Flooding may be only a few inches of water or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Flooding is the most common of all natural hazards. It can happen in every U.S. state and territory.

Floods are fascinating to study. They incorporate earth science, history, writing, art, math, geography and other school subjects. Below are some lecture materials, suggested classroom exercises, and sources of more information that you can include in your lesson plans. We hope you will use this information especially during the week that encompasses October 14, 1998, which is celebrated as World Disaster Reduction Day in this country and around the globe.

Lecture #1: Flood terms to know (Subjects: reading, science)

Flood Watch or Flashflood Watch -- Flooding may happen soon. Stay tuned to the radio or television news for more information.
Flood Warning -- You may be asked to leave the area. A flood may be happening or will be very soon. If you have to leave the area, remember to bring your Disaster Supply Kit and make arrangements for your pets.
Flashflood Warning -- A flashflood is happening. Get to high ground right away. Tell an adult!

Lecture #2: Flood math

Flood stage for the Acorn River is 22 feet. On Tuesday, the river was three feet below flood stage. How high was the river?

On Wednesday, the river was four feet above flood stage. How high was the river?

On Saturday, the river was another 9 feet above flood stage. Now how high was the river?

In Femaville, 60 percent of the households have flood insurance policies. There are 2,000 households in Femaville. How many flood insurance policies are there?

Three towns along the Acorn River have had to evacuate because of flood waters. The towns are: Shelbyville (population 8,922), Bigburg ( population 3,007) and Castor (population 571). How many people were evacuated?

Exactly one-fourth of the people who were evacuated went to the Red Cross shelters. How many people were in shelters?

The Acorn River flooded in 1891, 1922, 1954, 1975 and 1991. What is the average number of years between floods?

Lecture #3: Important things to know about floods (reading

If you have time, bring in outdoor or garden furniture. You should also move important things to a second story.
Stay away from flood water. It may be contaminated.
Do not walk through moving water. It can knock you off your feet. If you must walk through water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to test the ground in front of you.
Stay away from power lines that are on the ground. You could be electrocuted.
Always keep your battery-powered radio with you so you know what is happening.

Activity #1: Find out about your flood risk. (Research, writing, public speaking, art)

Find out if you live in a flood-prone area from your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter. Ask whether your property is above or below the flood stage water level and learn about the history of flooding for your region. Learn flood warning signs and your community alert signals. Request information on preparing for floods and flash floods from FEMA or the National Weather Service.

Based on this information, write a report about your community's risk and their emergency plans or work with a group of students to make a presentation to the class on your findings. Students can also make posters outlining risk factors and flood warning signs.

Activity #2: Mitigation Drawing Assignment.

FEMA gives the following information out to people to reduce the likelihood they will be flooded or to reduce the damage to their home and belongings if they are flooded:

Don't put valuable items and appliances in the basement where they are more likely to be flooded.
Power and water don't mix! Have the main breaker or fuse box and the utility meters raised above the flood level for your area. That way, if your home floods, water won't damage your utilities.
Buy flood insurance. To learn more about flood insurance, have your parent call 1-800-427-4661.

Homes can also be bought and demolished and the families moved to other houses far away from the river so they will not be flooded again in the future. Other homes can be elevated on stilts to protect them. Students can draw pictures to illustrate ways they can "mitigate" their flood risk. (These pictures can be posted on the FEMA for Kids Web site. Refer to the site for information on where to send the materials.)

Activity #3. School Writing Assignments

Imagine that a flood has struck your community. You and your family must evacuate your home and come to your school for safety until the disaster is over and it is announced that is it safe for everyone to return home.

Plan and write an escape route for your family to take from your house to school. Give clear travel directions.
Plan and write down a list of materials for the disaster supply kit you will bring with you to the school. All the supplies for the kit must fit in an average sized gym bag.
Imagine that you and your entire family must stay at school for three days. There is no electricity or telephone service. There are 300 to 400 other people staying in the school. What do you do to pass the time safely? What do you do about meals and sleeping?

Activity #4: What dangers exist after a flood? (Writing, reading, drama)

Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Below are many things to keep in mind when you return to your home after it is flooded. Have the students break into groups to study the list and then write and act out a skit that demonstrates correct procedures.

Listen to a radio or television and don't return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
Stay out of buildings if flood waters remain around the building.
When entering buildings, use extreme caution.
Wear sturdy shoes and use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings.
Examine walls, floors, doors, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes, that may have come into your home with the flood waters.
Use a stick to poke through debris.
Watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could fall.
Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
Look for fire hazards, such as broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, submerged furnaces or electrical appliances or flammable or explosive materials coming from upstream
Throw away food--including canned goods--that has come in contact with flood waters.
Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.

Flood Publications

FEMA publications/videos can be ordered free by calling 1-800-480-2520:

593-8010 Flood Safety Tips
9-0023 Repairing Your Flooded Home poster
0-0115 Hurricane, Tornado, Flood Preparedness and Family Disaster Plans video

National Weather Service publications can be ordered through their Website at:
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/nwspub.htm

92050 Flash Floods and Floods . . . The Awesome Power!
77014 Flash Flood Wallet Card

Order these American Red Cross publications through your local Red Cross Chapter

ARC 4476 After a Flood: The First Steps
ARC 2204 After the Flood Coloring Book
ARC 4477 Repairing Your Flooded Home

Internet Resources: