TRI-CITIES, Wash.-
Flood warnings have been put in effect across Western Washington.
Locally, it’s important to be prepared in case of a flood.
The first step is knowing your flood risk, manager of Benton County Emergency Services Deanna Davis said.
“You can do that in a couple ways,” Davis said. “One is to check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, or you can call your local municipality planning department and they should be able to tell you whether you reside in a flood planning zone.”
When flood waters are imminent, Benton County Emergency Services puts out messaging to tell residents on the Yakima River to move hazardous materials, like oil cans, gas cans, and propane tanks from the riverbank.
Residents with livestock should have a plan on where to move animals in the event of a flood so it’s easier to get them to higher land, Davis said.
Davis said residents should sign up for the CodeRED mass notification system to be alerted of floods and other emergencies. CodeRED can notify residents via text, email or mobile app push notifications.
Yakima residents can sign up for Alert Yakima.
In preparing your property for floods, FEMA recommends residents install rain barrels to gutter downspouts to collect rainwater before it floods lawns. This water can be repurposed to water lawns or gardens at a later time, or wash cars.
FEMA also recommends residents elevate utility equipment such as water meters, air conditioning condensers, heat pumps, etc. onto platforms at least one foot above the potential flood elevation.
Inside the home, FEMA recommends important documents and valuables be moved out of basements or anywhere under the potential flood elevation to a safe location– or into watertight containers.
FEMA says residents should seal cracks in foundation and basement walls with mortar, masonry caulk, or hydraulic cement to prevent seepage. Clear floor drains of any obstructions.
Flood vents let floodwater through spaces like garages and crawlspaces to prevent the buildup of water pressure than can destroy foundations and walls.
Sump pumps are a great defense against flooding, as they draw groundwater around the house and pump it away. FEMA says to make sure the device has a battery-operated backup in the event of power failure.
When floods strike, FEMA recommends:
Shutting off electricity at breaker panelsMoving furniture, electronics, valuables and documents off the floor of the ground levelMoving appliances onto concrete blocksCleaning gutters, downspouts, drainage ditches and storm drainsClearing ice and snow from foundationsPlacing temporary flood barriers
