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@'} 4,--,,- ___ ",1',;7 Prepare for the Next Flood Don't Wait Buy flood insurance protection before the next flood is threatening. There is a S~day waiting period before NFIP flood coverage takes effect. Call your insurance agent for information on rates and coverage. Flood Watch, Flood Warning Floods can take several hours to days to develop. A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area. A flood warning means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. 46 plain shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map, you must buy flood insurance coverage as a condition of having a mort- gage or home improvement loan from a federally regulated lender or as a condition for getting fed- eral disaster assistance. In some cases, private insurance will sat- isfy this requirement, but generally the lender or disaster assistance agency will ask you to get an NFIP policy. "ood Response Plan Preparing a flood response plan will help you think through all the details that will demand your attention as the floodwa- ters approach. This is a project for the whole family. As you write down the ptan, you can make sure everyone under- stands it. And having the plan in writing will hetp you all remem- ber what to do when everyone is in a hurry and excited because a flood is coming. The next flood might be worse than the last one. Talk to your building official or city or county engineer about that possibility. See Step 8 for information on the flood protection level in your area to use as you prepare your flood response plan. Check with your local emer- gency manager or Red Cross chapter for the official warning and evacuation procedures in your area. Find out how much warning time you will have to leave your horne before the flood reaches you. Identify a friend, relative, or motel where you can go when you are asked to evacuate. Test-drive your evac- uation route to be certain it will be passable when flooding is likely. Be prepared to evacuate when told to do so or if you see floodwaters rising. You may hear flood warning and evacuation information on your 10cal1V and radio stations. Make a record of all your per- sonal property. Go through your home room by room. Make a list of everything in the room. Take photographs or videotapes. Inventory forms are available free from most insurance com- panies, or you can use the format shown in Step 3. Keep photocopies of inventory records, insurance policies, deeds, and other valuable papers at a different location, someplace outside of the flood. prone area. If flooding in your area is from sewer backup or basement seepage, having your own water alarm can give you precious lead time before your belongings are damaged by floodwaters. A water alarm is similar to a smoke alarm; it beeps when water touches it. Water alarms cost 10 to 20 dollars and are available at hardware stores. Develop a flood response plan based on your flood protec- tion level, local warning procedures, and the amount of warning time you will have to respond before the flood comes. In flash flood areas, you may only have enough warning time to evacuate immediately. But if you live in areas in the path of a hurricane or near a large river, you may have 12 to 24 hours of warning time.