The remnants of Matthew have moved further away from the East Coast and the storm is no longer causing direct impacts. However, significant-to-potentially record flooding could happen for several areas along and east of the I-95 corridor in the Carolinas, with river flooding persisting well into next week. An extensive and significant freshwater flood event continues to unfold as a result of 10 to 18 inches of rain, mainly from Savannah, Ga., to southeast Virginia. Tens of thousands remain without power in the southeast, and ongoing flood has closed hundreds of roads.
Federal Major Disaster Declarations have been issued for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina. South Carolina has received a Federal Emergency Declaration; but has requested a major disaster declaration that is still under review. FEMA has deployed recovery personnel and liaisons to state emergency operation centers and is distributing emergency supplies in the affected areas.
If you are in an area that has been affected by Hurricane Matthew and the resulting floods, be sure to monitor local radio, TV stations or official social media accounts for updated emergency information, and to follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials. If you have evacuated, do not return to the area until it has been deemed safe by state or local officials. Never drive or wade into standing water, never approach downed power lines, and never try to cross moving floodwaters.
FLOODS
Floods are the most common natural hazard in the United States. Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes.
Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud and other debris. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event, typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach flood surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.
Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, but especially if you are in low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.
GENERAL FLOOD SAFETY
DO NOT attempt to drive or walk through a flooded area. Floodwater currents are strong enough to knock a person down in just six inches of moving water, or sweep away a car in just two feet of water.
DO NOT approach downed power lines.
Avoid entering standing water due to risk of injury from submerged debris or live power lines.
If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little advance warning.
If you are under a flood watch:
Turn on the TV or radio to receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Remain at home or in a place of shelter on high ground. Roads may be flooded or washed out by mudslides.
Make sure you have an evacuation plan in place for your family, especially any family members with special needs or disabilities. If you are in an area at risk of flooding, you may need to reach higher ground quickly and on foot.
Be sure to have an emergency kit ready, with bottled water, flashlights, and a first aid kit.
Move important or valuable items to higher floors, away from potential flood damage. Disconnect electrical appliances in areas that may be flooded, and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.
FINAL FLOOD PROTECTION
If you are not in an evacuation area, plan to stay at home, or the nearest place of shelter. Only leave in the event of an emergency.
Secure objects such as patio furniture that may be washed away and turned into damaging debris by floodwater.
Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting, in case power is lost. Make sure you have enough drinkable water stored.
Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Remember: NEVER drive through a flooded area. The current may be much stronger than it appears. NEVER go near a downed power line.
HERE ARE SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN USE TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE
In any emergency, always follow the instructions given by state, local, or tribal emergency management officials.
Be sure to have an emergency kit ready, with bottled water, flashlights, and a first aid kit.
Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, have a family emergency communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have plans for your family members and pets. People with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, older adults and their families may need to take additional steps for themselves and their service animals.
If you or someone you know needs assistance to receive and respond to emergency alerts and to safely evacuate in an emergency, work with family members, neighbors, friends, service providers and coworkers to plan strategies that will work for your specific needs, whether you are at home or away from home.
For more information on how ensure you and your family are prepared for a natural disaster, visit www.ready.gov
FLOOD RECOVERY
If evacuated, do not return to your home until local authorities give the all-clear. Do not enter standing water.
Check for structural damage before re-entering your home, and keep the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
If you have flood insurance, plan on filing a claim, taking photos of any floodwater in your home and saving any damaged personal property.
Boil water or use bottled water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
Wear gloves and boots to clean and disinfect. Be wary of any sharp or dangerous debris that may have been left behind. Wet items should be cleaned with a pine-oil cleanser and bleach, completely dried, and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors. Wet areas should be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
Under the Stafford Act, areas that have suffered a disaster may be granted federal assistance through the declaration of a major disaster by the President. The declaration must be in response to a request from the governor of the affected state or territory, if the governor has determined that disaster response and recovery are beyond the resources of state and local governments.
The governor's request is made through the regional FEMA office. State and Federal officials conduct a preliminary damage assessment to estimate the extent of the disaster and its impact on individuals and public facilities. This information is included in the governor's request to show that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that Federal assistance is necessary.
There are three main categories of federal disaster assistance: individual assistance, public assistance, and hazard mitigation assistance.
Individual Assistance is provided to affected residents and business owners, who can register for assistance using a published toll-free telephone number or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center in person. Disaster Housing may be available for residents of heavily damaged or destroyed homes for up to 18 months. Repairs to make damaged homes habitable may also be eligible. Disaster Grants are available for other serious disaster related needs (e.g., medical costs, transportation) and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. Low-Interest Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration are available for homeowners and renters to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be available for repair or replacement of homes or businesses, automobiles, or other damaged personal property. Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and Veteran's benefits. Other state or local help may also be available.
Public Assistance is federal aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Under these programs, the federal government usually pays up to 75 percent of the project costs, with the state or local government paying the remainder. Public Assistance includes projects such as debris removal, emergency public services, repair of damaged public property, and grants for public schools.
Hazard mitigation assistance is intended to encourage residents and public entities to reduce the risk to life and property of future disasters. FEMA helps fund mitigation measures when repairing disaster-damaged structures, such as raising the elevation of or relocating flood-damaged homes, or building earthquake or wind resilience into the repair of damaged buildings.
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CONSTITUENTS?
Listen to Local and State Officials
The most critical response to disasters occurs at the local level. First responders at the local or state level will always be first on the scene and the first to stabilize an emergency situation. The role of the federal government is to encourage disaster preparation at the state and local level and assist states and communities when a disaster outstrips the local ability to respond and recover. State and local officials will have the most up to date information about conditions on the ground and the location of food, water, and shelter. Get to know the state, county, and municipal emergency managers in your district and build a relationship before disaster occurs.
Get Information to Your Constituents
Outreach from a Member’s communications office can be a useful way of pushing information on disaster preparation and recovery, through press releases, web pages, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Let your constituents know how to prepare their families and their homes if flooding is predicted, advise them on how to respond to ongoing flooding, and inform them where they can find food, shelter, medical assistance, and apply for aid after the immediate danger has passed.
Feel free to use the tips for flood preparation and flood safety found earlier on this page.
Inform your constituents of the National Weather Service’s “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” campaign, intended to alert the public of the dangers of quickly moving flood waters. Half of all flood-caused drownings result from a vehicle being washed away or submerged while attempting to drive through a flooded area, and the next highest percentage of flood drownings is from trying to cross flooded areas on foot.
Encourage your constituents to be prepared by purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP. As flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance, it is vital for homeowners to be aware of the NFIP and to use local flood maps to determine the risk to their property. The NFIP partners with private insurance companies across the nation to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. Rates are set nationally and do not vary from company to company, but are determined by factors such as location, age or type of construction of a property, and mitigation efforts. ) More information about flood insurance is available at Floodsmart.gov or by calling 1-800-427-2419.
You can also find additional resources for outreach at the homepage for National Preparedness Month (http://www.ready.gov/september), and by getting involved every September in promoting disaster preparedness. [WP1]
Federal Disaster Declarations
The process of declaring a federal disaster, making a state eligible for assistance from FEMA, was codified by the Stafford Act in 1988. The law requires that all presidential disaster declarations must be in response to a request from the governor of the affected state or territory, provided that the governor determines disaster response and recovery are beyond the resources of state and local governments.
Based on the governor's request and FEMA’s analysis, the president may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists, thus activating an array of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort. Not all programs, however, are activated for every disaster. The determination of which programs are activated is based on the needs found during initial damage assessment and any subsequent information that may be discovered.
If your state has received a disaster declaration, please send residents and business owners in declared counties who sustained losses to begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
[WP1]How about including information here encouraging people to buy flood insurance and maybe a link to the campaign “Turn around, don’t drown”
