Card “C”
Calling from a flooding house or building.
Q1: Where are you calling from?
Q2: Is the structure on fire, or collapsing?
Q3: Are there sparking utility outlets?
If there IS a fire danger, or threat of structural collapse:
Things to tell the caller…
- We are sending the fire department. Evacuate the structure immediately.
- If the water in the street outside your house is deeper than a foot, do not attempt to drive away.
- If the water outside your house is deeper than 3 feet and/or seems to be rising or flowing fast, take a flotation device (such as a couch cushion) with you when you leave. Take one device for each person leaving.
- Make sure that pets are free to swim with you, but do not attempt to carry larger pets, you could both lose your lives.
If there is NO danger of fire or structural collapse:
Calling from a flooding house – no fire problem.
Q1: Do you have a basement?
If the caller DOES have a basement:
Q1: Is there water in the basement?
Q2: Is the water at least knee deep (2+ feet) and/or rising fast?
If the answer is knee deep and/or rising fast:
- Stay out of your basement. You could be drowned or electrocuted if you go downstairs.
If the answer is not deep nor rising fast:
- If you decide to go to the basement to salvage valuables, you first need to turn off the power.
- Leave the basement if the water starts to get deeper.
- You might also want to call a plumber, and/or purchase a sump pump from a local hardware or discount store.
If the caller DOES NOT have a basement:
Q1: Is the water getting into your house?
Q2: Is the water knee deep (2+ feet) and/or rising fast?
- If the answer is knee deep and/or rising fast:
- You need to evacuate immediately.
- If the water in the street outside your house is deeper than 1 foot, do not attempt to drive away.
- If the water is 3 feet or more, take a flotation device with you, such as a couch cushion. Take one such device for each person leaving.
- Make sure pets are free to swim along with you, but do not try to carry larger pets. You could both lose your lives.
- If the answer is not knee deep nor rising fast:
- Turn off the power.
- Evacuate if the water begins to get deep and/or starts to rise fast.
