Flooding is a serious matter. For the elderly, it can be downright dangerous. In most cases, you’re going to want to get out of the way when you start seeing rising water levels in Hagerstown, MD. The key is knowing what signs indicate that it’s time to evacuate and where you should go when the floods in Hagerstown, MD, are imminent or have already begun.
Stay Informed
If you’re an elderly person and a flood has been forecast, it’s essential to be aware of the situation. Remember that floods come quickly and bring with them a host of dangers. Keeping up with local news in Hagerstown, MD, is one step toward staying safe during severe weather. Monitor the weather forecast and local government websites (often found on Google), and sign up for alerts via social media.
If you’re in an apartment home where flooding is predicted, double-check that your basement or ground floor windows are secure and locked so no water can enter them. Don’t forget about doors—they should also be secured from intruders and from water damage caused by rising tides or heavy rains outside!
Leave if Needed
If you’re in a flood zone, move to higher ground. If you’re not in a flood zone and your house is at risk of flooding, move to the highest floor possible. If this isn’t an option for your elderly loved one, have them reach the highest point of their home: usually the attic or on top of furniture or appliances that are sturdy enough to support them (like a washing machine).
If they can’t evacuate and need to stay put while the storm passes, make sure they have food and water on hand and any medical supplies they might need (if they’re dependent on oxygen tanks or other equipment). Stay with your loved ones until after the weather has cleared up—then give them some extra love!
If you’re living in an area declared unsafe due to flooding, then now might be the time to move out of town altogether. This will help ensure that your possessions remain safe and facilitate your ability to evacuate quickly should this become necessary at any point during the emergency period (which could last several days).
Avoid Driving during Flooding Events
Driving in Hagerstown, MD, during flooding can be dangerous and should only be done in an emergency. It’s important to recognize that roads can become impassable in minutes, so if you are driving near flood waters, slow down and drive carefully. If you encounter water on the road, immediately turn around and find another route—it’s always best to err on caution when driving in bad weather conditions!
Prepare a Disaster Kit
A good, basic disaster kit should include food, water, flashlights and batteries, first aid supplies, blankets or sleeping bags and a battery-powered radio. If you have special medical needs like diabetes or heart disease, be sure to include extra medication as well.
Keep your disaster kit in a waterproof, easy-to-reach place (such as under the kitchen sink). Consider purchasing an emergency weather radio that can be powered using solar energy or batteries so that you’ll get updates when power is out.
We hope these tips help you stay safe during any flooding event in Hagerstown, MD. Always follow local authorities’ instructions and never put yourself or others in danger by trying to drive through flood waters.
