Flood Safety Awareness Week Encourages Preparedness

Flood Safety Awareness Week, a time set aside within February and March by the National Weather Service (NWS) of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), promotes information surrounding flood safety and preparedness within the United States.

According to the NWS, flooding occurs somewhere in the U.S. nearly every day, claiming an average of 90 lives annually, along with roughly US$8 billion in damage.

To help inform the public, the NWS has published five specific flooding topics online:

• Flood Safety, Preparedness, and Awareness
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Flood Hazards
• NWS Water Resources and Services
• Partner Services

More information is also available on its Flood Safety Tips and Resources webpage.

The state of Wisconsin also has designated this week for flood safety awareness. Related topics included on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website include advice on coping with flooding and minimizing flood damage, as well as the importance of purchasing flood insurance.

To learn how to deal safely and effectively with a wet facility after flooding has occurred, be sure to check out Dry, Dehumidify, and Disinfect Water-Soaked Facilities and Cleaning Up After a Flood.