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Slide A9. Evacuating people, Elmira, New York People are often in danger in homes and businesses located in low-lying areas, but may be reluctant to leave. Communities need a plan for evacuation before a flood strikes. The plan should identify the steps needed to evacuate those in danger and avoid desperate, last-minute attempts to help people to safety like you see here. These people are being evacuated by boat from downtown businesses in Elmira, New York long after the arrival of floodwaters. You may decide to exercise you,r community's emergency powers by ordering evacuation. People need to know safe'routes to take and where they can go until the emergency has passed. You may need to assist the elderly, handicapped or other people with special needs. You also may be asked to provide some security for evacuated properties. Slide AlD. Flood-damaged vehicles This shows cars and trucks swept up in a flood. When a flood is expected, it is very important to direct traffic to high and dry roads. About 90% of the people killed in flood disasters in the United States have been in cars swept away by floodwaters. It is easy to mistake both the depth and velocity of water on a road. Slide All. Sandbagging in downtown Salt Lake City The first priority is always to ensure the safety of people, but with warning of a flood, it is often possible to protect property from flooding, too. This shows a street in downtown Salt Lake City before the flood in 1984. Sandbags line both sides of the street creating a channel for floodwaters to pass through the city. Thousands of people were mobilized within hours to place the sandbags overnight. The frantic effort saved many millions of dollars in property damage. Slide A12. Moving furniture from a house Here furniture is being moved from a house about to be flooded. Individuals and business can use warning time to move important records, furniture and other items to upper stories of buildings or to high ground. Local government can prepare the Emergency Operations Center or relocate it if, like so many, it is in a basement subject to flooding. Anything that can be done to prevent damage will make your life easier in the days, weeks, and months after the flood. Slide A13. Now begin Task A. Now turn to the instructions for Task A in your packet. Take time to read the steps before you begin. Please ask for help, if you need it. You have 30 minutes to decide how to respond to this morning's flood warning. Reminder to Facilitator: Be sure to set the timer for 30 minutes. Script-Task A, page 3