Flash Flood Safety Tips

AREAS OF CONCERN
Pay attention to environmental cues when
you're outside: listen for distant thunder and watch for rapidly rising water.

Carr Canyon Miller Canyon Area east of Miller canyon and S.R. 92 Hunter Canyon Nicksville Crossing Stump Canyon Ash Canyon

Always be careful when approaching a

wash, even if it's not raining where you are. A wash can become flooded by a thunderstorm that is occurring several miles away.

Flooding Awareness and Emergency Preparedness Guidelines

Debris flows and fast moving slurries of sediment and water have been documented after many wildfires in the western United States. Wildfires strip mountainsides of vegetation and change soil properties that affect the sediment transport processes. The Monument fire burned significant amounts of the Huachuca Mountains. Many of the intermittent and perennial streams and channels could produce flooding conditions during times of normal rainfall. Flooding may occur for five or more years.

If you're out hiking or walking and flooding

begins, get to higher ground as quickly as you can.

Be extra cautious at night when it is harder

to spot water dangers.

If a wash or roadway is flooded, do not

cross it, even if it is not barricaded. Turn around and take an alternate route. Or, wait until the water recedes. The waters generally take an hour or so to drop.

Heed all warning signs. If a sign says Do

Not Enter When Flooded, don't enter.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey completed a study in July 2011. The report concluded that these areas have a high probability of flooding with heavy flows expected for the

Stay away from roads that appear flooded,

even if there are no warning signs.

In the event that you are caught in a flooded wash or roadway, try to climb out onto the roof of your vehicle. Call 911 and wait for help.

If the water is still low and you can wade to

safety, do so, but be careful of floating debris.

4817 Apache Ave Sierra Vista, AZ 85650

Admin 520-378-3276 2nd St 520-458-5523 Yaqui Ave 520-378-2222 Arabian Ave 520-378-2361 Fax: 520-378-0227
Tel: 520-378-3276

Preparing for a flood

Know the safest routes away from your home Have these items ready to go before the flooding arrives Use the 5 Ps of evacuation People/pets Papers- Important documents Pictures irreplaceable memories PrescriptionsMedications,

During the flood

After the flood

Listen for news reports to learn whether a communitys water supply is safe to drink Avoid floodwater. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the electric company Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters Use extreme caution when entering building; there may be hidden damage Service damaged septic tanks as soon as possible Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals

Listen to the radio or television for information If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and washes in your area that are known to flood suddenly Secure your home. If you have time bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor Turn off utilities at the main switches. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water Do not walk through moving water. Water 1 deep can cause you to fall If you have to walk through water, find an area where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check firmness of the ground in front of you. Face upstream and move laterally when crossing. A foot of water is capable of floating many vehicles. Two feet of water can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and pick-ups If you are unable to leave, call 911 and report how many people are at your home and any emergencies

eyeglasses & hearing aids Personal Computer information on hard drives and flash drives

Know the Signs Get Ready Thunderstorms over the mountains. Dark area under the clouds imply heavy rainfall The rainfall may not fall on you. Remember flooding occurs downstream from the heavy rain Get Set Monitor the news and weather observations for your area Go Flash flooding warnings for your area

Additional Information & Contacts

County County: http://cochise.az.gov/ FEMA: http://fema.gov American Red Cross: http:// www.redcross.org Amerigas: (520)378-2326 Barnetts Propane: 458-4541 Ferrellgas: (520)622-1491 Southwest Gas: (520)746-1076 or 800-722-4277 SSVEC: (800)422-3275