Media & Community Education Ideas

  • Have your community join the National Flood Insurance Program. Any community may join the NFIP. Check with your local emergency management office for more information.
  • Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on floods and flash floods. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross chapter, and the nearest hospitals.
  • Interview local officials about land use management and building codes in floodplains.
  • Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments about what to do if an evacuation is ordered.
  • Periodically inform your community of local public warning systems. Explain the difference between flood watches and warnings. Let them know where to turn for emergency broadcast information should they hear a warning on their radio or television.
  • Assist hospitals and other operations that are critically affected by power failure by arranging for auxiliary power supplies.
  • Contact your local National Weather Service office or emergency management agency for information on local flood warning systems. River and rainfall readings are valuable to local emergency management agencies and the NWS in assessing flood conditions and taking appropriate actions. Advanced warning provided by early detection is critical to saving lives. Automatic flood detection systems are available commercially for flood-prone communities.
  • Publish emergency evacuation routes for areas prone to flooding.