Weather

Flooding safety tips

Flood waters can rise quickly and be deadly.

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  • Do not enter any moving water – on foot or in a vehicle. Just a few inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off of your feet. Two feet of water will float most cars and wash them away. Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. When approaching water flowing over
the road, turn around and go the other way. Don't drown; turn around.
  • Make sure your homeowners' or renters' insurance has a flood policy. Know your area's flood risk. Many policies do not cover flooding,  and many areas across North Carolina are subject to flooding, although not officially declared within a flood plain.
  • Asses your residence's  flood risk and know where you would go if you needed to evacuate. Sometimes your escape route can flood before your house.
  • If a flash flood warning is issued, it is time to take action. Flooding has been reported or is imminent. Closely monitor the situation, and move quickly if flood waters threaten. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Move to a safe location before access is cut off by flood waters.
  • Never allow children to play around high water, creeks, streams or storm drains.
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