What to Do During a Flood Warning

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– The flood last week took a lot of people in the Mount Pleasant area by surprise. Roads were shut down or destroyed, apartment complexes were overflowing, and cars were trapped in the storm. Being prepared for events like these is extremely important. It can keep you, your property, and your family safe in the event of another storm in the future. With flooding expected to continue for the rest of the week, we at Graff Mt Pleasant have compiled a list of what to do during a flood warning to help you through this week and any future events the city may run into. 

Be Aware

A flood warning is different from a flood watch. Where a flood watch advises residents to pay attention to the weather channel, a flood warning means there can and will be flooding in your area. Remaining aware is extremely important. If a flood warning occurs, make sure you have moved all of your furniture or valuable items to higher ground to protect them from potential flooding. If you're advised to evacuate, get to a safe area as soon as possible! Furniture and other items can be replaced.

Avoid Driving or Walking Through Flooded Areas

This may seem like a no-brainer, but just 6 inches of water can knock you over if you aren't careful! While driving may seem like the safer bet in the event of a storm, 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away and into impending danger. It's better to be safe than sorry, so turn around if you see anything that looks like a flood! Your vehicle could have potential engine damage to its engine if you drive through a deep flood and it can leave you hydro-locked. Don't drive through a flood unless you're fully sure you'll be able to navigate it without any damage! If you absolutely have to head through a flooded area on foot, bring a large stick to help yourself remain balanced. You can use it to measure the depth of water too, which will make navigating flooded areas a much easier process. 

Move to Higher Ground

If flash flooding occurs, make sure you're able to get to the highest point possible. Flash flooding can occur at any time during a flood warning and is the number one cause of weather related death in the United States. Getting to higher ground will allow you to survey the surrounding area, find a safer space after the flash flooding recedes, and will give you a plan to get to your next location. However, you should stay on higher ground until you're absolutely sure you'll be able to navigate safely! 

Keep Your Radio and TV On

Turning on your radio and TV will keep you updated on any information about further floods, safe areas, and what to do to keep yourself safe. Keeping an eye on the flood watch or warning alerts can inform you on the amount of risk for potential flooding your town is facing. You'll be more prepared this way, and in the event of lighter, inconvenient flooding, you can turn on the TV or radio to distract everyone. 

Prepare for Future Flooding

You never know when the next flood or natural disaster can occur, so having a plan of action is a vital component of owning a home. First, you'll want to find out if your home is a flood risk. You can find this by contacting your city and asking them about natural disaster risks associated with your home. Next, you'll want to gather several supplies in the event of future natural disasters.

A few good supplies to keep on hand include:

• A fully furnished first-aid kit
• Several cases of water and canned food
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Cash
• A copy of your city's emergency evacuation plan

These are just a few things you can keep on hand to prepare yourself. You can also contact your city to find out evacuation spots, areas that are at risk for flooding, and emergency exits and shortcuts needed to get you to safety. Remember, it's better to be over prepared than under prepared!

Keeping yourself and your family safe is your top priority. Flooding can be a very scary and costly natural disaster, so preparing yourself for potential future events will be integral to ensuring you're ready for the next event, however far away it may be. We hope that our list of what to do during a flood warning helps to prepare you with any situation, no matter how big or small it may be. If you run into an issue with your vehicle this week or have experienced damage with flooding, contact us and we can help tow your vehicle to our service center and get it looked at. We'll be able to give you a ride to your home and back, too - all you have to do is just ask!

At Graff Buick GMC Cadillac, we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube