Protecting Yourself

Flood Safety

MANTOLOKING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO:
https://www.mantoloking.org/emergency-management

If you are affected by a flood, here are things you can so to stay safe.



SAFETY


During a flood:

  • Do not drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.
  • Do not walk through flooded areas. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
  • Stay away from downed power fines and electrical wires. Electrocution is another major source of deaths in floods. Electric current passes easily through water.
  • Look out for animals - especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too. They may seek shelter in yours.


After a Flood:

  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe
  • Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
  • Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
  • Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
  • If your home, apartment or business has suffered damage, call the insurance company or agent who handles your flood insurance policy right away to file a claim.
  • Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
  • Upon entering the building, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or any other open flames, since gas may be trapped inside. Instead, use a flashlight to light your way.
  • Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
  • Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals. Throw out foods and medicines that may have come into contact with flood water.
  • Until local authorities proclaim your water supply to be safe, boil water for drinking and food preparation vigorously for five minutes before using.
  • Be careful walking around. After a flood, steps and floors are often slippery with mud and covered with debris, including nails and broken glass.
  • Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
  • Take steps to reduce your risk of future floods. Make sure to follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding, and use flood-resistant materials and techniques to protect yourself and your property from future flood damage.
  • If you must run a generator at your home following a flood, remember to keep the generator outside (not in a garage) to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

HAVE A PLAN/SUPPLY KIT

Floods can happen anytime and anyplace, and the can happen FAST.

Have a plan. 

  • Know where you will evacuate to, and the best way to get there.
  • Have necessary supplies kit(s) ready to use.
  • Give your emergency contact information to your family, employer and insurance agent.


Assemble a supply kit for your home, work and car. Learn what to pack https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit 

Home:

  • Keep it in a designated place, make sure everyone in the family knows where it is.
  • It should contain essential food, water, and supplies for at least three days.


Work:

  • One container that is ready to grab and go in case you are evacuated from your workplace.
  • Make sure you have food and water, and comfortable walking shoes


Car:

  • Kit should contain food, water, first aid supplies, flares, jumper cables, and seasonal supplies
  • Flood preparation for your electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and electric bicycles is a critical necessity for your safety and the prevention of fire. Have plan to keep these items out of flood waters.
  • Electric vehicle charges and battery storage systems are required to be mounted at or above the Design Flood elevation.  Keep lithium batteries out of the flood to avoid electrical hazards and fire.

 

EVACUATION

If an evacuation order has been issued...

Unplug electrical equipment, such as radios and televisions, and small appliances, such as toasters and microwaves.

  • Turn off gas, electricity, and water to the house. https://www.ready.gov/safety-skills
  • Know the difference between a mandatory and voluntary evacuation. If the Borough order a voluntary evacuation of the area it is up to an individual’s discretion to evacuate.
  • Mandatory evacuations are designed to keep residents safe and residents must and should leave their homes and the area at risk to seek shelter in a safer area. DO NOT WAIT!
  • Follow these instructions to evacuate yourself and your family: https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
  • Plan ahead, know the evacuation routes in your area and have a plan in place that all members of the household are aware of.
  • Keep family members, neighbors, and other local friends informed of your evacuation plans. Alert them when you chose to evacuate to your planned destination. Designate a contact outside of the affected area to know your plan and whereabouts should communication fail within the area of risk.
  • When the possibility of evacuation nears make sure to keep a full tank of gas in your car and throughout your trip away try keep it at half full to avoid breakdowns on congested roads.
  • Check other fluid levels in the car, the air pressure in tires, and ensure that the vehicle chosen for evacuation can handle a long trip.
  • Click https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family for FEMA guidelines.

For more information on evacuation in Mantoloking:

  • The Department will maintain an evacuation plan that implements a route where residents South of Herbert Street will evacuate utilizing the Mantoloking Bridge (County Route 528) and residents North of Herbert Street will evacuate via State Highway Route 35 North to Bridge Avenue.

 

PARENTS OF BABIES/SPECIAL NEEDS

For Parents with babies and/or small children:

Have an emergency supplies kit for baby including:

  • diapers
  • wipes
  • medications
  • bottles
  • formula
  • water (for cleaning, and mixing with powdered formula)
  • battery operated fan
  • jars of baby food for 3 days
  • blanket


For special needs patients:

Identify any special needs/disabilities an individual has and plan accordingly ahead of time. Helpful tips and suggestions can be found:
https://www.fema.gov/blog/6-ways-people-disabilities-can-prepare-evacuat...