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e e e REROUTING TRAFFIC Decide how to manage the flow of lraffic to compensate for washed-out bridges and roads. It may be advantageous for local officials to pre-designate alternate routes before a flood This can be done through the use of FIRM's and/or local knowledge of areas at risk of flooding Road closings should also be coordinated with neighboring communities in order to avoid isolating people and aid in smoother traffic flow. The loss of bridges and roads severely hampers a community's return 10 normal functioning after a damaging flood. Most flood damaged bridges and roads can be quickly patched up and reopened, but a major bridge or highway can take months, even years, to replace. In the meantime, alternate routes must be found. The first task in managing traffic flow is to prevent travel on unsafe roads or bridges. Local officials may need to close low-lying roads and vulnerable bridges when a flood warning has been received. Control of traffic continues during' the flood and on into the recovery period. It is advisable to keep local media informed of road closures and alternate routes in order to keep the public informed of the situation. Once the flood has passed, the emphasis shifts to adjusting traffic patterns to reflect the washed out roads and bridges. New routes around the damaged sections need to be selected and designated so that drivers know what to do. Traffic patterns can sometimes be restored temporarily pending permanent repaIrs. Sometimes detours can be quickly graded around washed out portions of roads. Another temporary way to ease the impact of a lost bridge or highway is to use boats. Ferries can be used to carry people across rivers where bridges have been washed away. Usually the fire and police departments will have an agreed upon plan for such situations. II