If you are in an area prone to flooding or water inundation, do you know what to do to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your property?
Guide to Surviving a Flood
Monitor TV, Radio, and Internet
If you are in a flood-prone area, always pay attention to TV, radio, or the internet for the latest updates from the Meteorological and Hydrological Center. Information about affected areas, accessible roads, evacuation sites if necessary, and announcements from local flood prevention authorities is crucial.
Severe flooding can turn your home into a dangerous pond.
Prepare an Evacuation Kit
You should prepare essential items in a compact bag or backpack, such as:
- Water: Carry at least 2 liters of water, divided into smaller bottles for easy transport during evacuation.
- Food: Choose canned food and dry rations (remember to check expiration dates when preparing) and a can opener.
- Flashlight and spare batteries.
- A first aid kit.
- Clothing, raincoat, sleeping bag.
- Other necessary items such as medications, supplies for children and elderly family members, and any aids for disabled family members (if applicable).
- Cash: Don’t forget to bring cash. Floods can disable ATMs or deplete their cash supply, and banks in heavily flooded areas may be closed. Always have cash on hand to purchase essential supplies.
- ID documents with photos such as ID cards or driver’s licenses.
- Communication devices like a phone or radio.
Illustration of essential tools for evacuation.
Protect Your Home
- Turn off water, electricity, and gas for all appliances in your home when notified that floodwaters may enter. Never touch electrical sources while standing in water.
- Disconnect appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers.
- Move valuable items to higher ground to minimize damage when water enters your home.
Strictly Follow Safety Guidelines
- Evacuate your home if local authorities instruct you to do so. Ignoring these warnings puts you and your family in danger. You may also endanger rescue teams who will have to plan to save you as water levels rise. Remember to take your emergency kit when evacuating.
- Follow the instructions of officials: Don’t take shortcuts as they may lead you into restricted or dangerous areas.
- Never approach floodwaters. Keep children and the elderly away from floodwaters.
- Did you know that floodwaters as low as 15 cm can easily knock down an adult, and just 60 cm can sweep away a car? Therefore, if you are walking, floodwaters can easily carry you away. If you must cross a flooded area, use a stick to check the water level before proceeding.
Avoid the beach when a storm approaches and waters are rising. (Photo: Facebook Hai Phong)
- Do not walk along the beach, sea dikes, or riverbanks during a flood.
- Avoid crossing bridges if the water is high and flowing quickly. Steer clear of drainage culverts, as they can be very dangerous due to swirling and strong currents. Many people have tragically fallen into drainage holes and been swept away in Hanoi in 2008.
- Be cautious of falling debris from walls or large trees. Strong winds from storms can cause them to topple, posing a danger to anyone nearby.
Be careful when nearing large trees during heavy rain and strong winds.
- If you are in a vehicle, do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. The water may be deeper than you think, and your car could be stuck or swept away.
- If you find yourself in a vehicle trapped in floodwaters, abandon the car and save yourself.
Abandon the car and save yourself if trapped in floodwaters. Your most valuable asset at this moment is your life.
