FLOOD04688

• County: Otero
• Community: La Junta
• Basin: Arkansas
• Title: Flood Preparedness Plan Arkansas River
• Date: 9/1/1993
• Prepared For: Otero County
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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6. POST FLOOD RECOVERY & REOCCUPATION

This part of the plan identifies some of the activities
required to help in providing an orderly and timely
reestablishment of pre-flood conditions, to the extent
possible.

Once the flood has subsided, damage to property and the
social impacts on the City will be assessed and reported. This
assessment will determine what recovery activities will be
necessary. If assistance beyond City and County capabilities
is required, State assistance should be requested through the
County Emergency Coordinator.

The activities include elimination of hazards caused by
floods, an assessment of damage caused by floodwaters, removal
of flood debris and mud, returning borrowed equipment and
materials, assistance to the affected general public, and
resumption of normal operations by city, county and other
agencies. See Appendix I on 'Resource Services for more
information.

Some key safety concerns (reference 8) are addressed
below:

1. Local authorities who are inspecting homes for safety
and water damage should wear high leakproof rubber boots (or
at least rubber-soled shoes), thick rubber or dry leather
gloves, and a hard hat when in a flood zone. If going into an
isolated area tell someone who will notify the proper
authorities if you do not report back.

2. Check to determine if the power and gas are shut off
and if not, shut them off, if necessary.

Indoors or out, under flooded or damaged conditions,
treat every electrical item with the greatest respect. BVERY
SOllRCl!l 01' BLI!:CTRICITY CAN BE ICXTJIEMZLY DANGBlUlUS UNDD FLOOD
CONDX'1'XONS. If travelling on foot through a flood zone,
observe overhead electrical lines for broken wires or evidence
of arcing. Avoid the vicinity of power lines if possible, and
cross under them only at midlength between supporting poles,
if you must cross them.

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AN BNBRGIZJ!:D BLI!:C'1'IUCAL U'1'ILITY WIN: Oil A U'1'ILITY POLl!:
PU'1'IALLY em '1'O'1'ALLY SUBMlIlGED IN WA'1'BJl, 1IIIJ:'1'IlB1\ MB'l'AL oa 111:'1'
WOOD, CAlf CRII:ASII: AN IILI!:CTRICAL I'IJ:LD IN '1'111!: WA'1'BJl '1'BA'1' 1fl:LL
ClWU A uaIOUS IILI!:C'1'Jl,IC SHoa BAZAllD.

If utility wires are underwater, maintain a maximum
distance from both utility poles and wires lminimum of 20 feet
for utility poles; 50 feet for high voltage transmission or
feeder lines). If the utility wires are not broken or
underwater, stay at least 10 feet away from the poles.

3. If your water comes from a central water supply, find
out if the water is contaminated. If your water comes from a
private well, determine whether the well is flooded. If so, it
can be considered contaminated.

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4. Do not smoke. Flammable liquids may have contaminated
the water.

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~ Eliminate hazards

ll! Assess damage

ll! Remove debris and mud

~ Return equipment and
materials

l~ Assist Public

,'; Resume normal
activities