WASHINGTON, April 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans are affected each spring by sudden flooding caused by heavy rain or by slower, prolonged flooding as snow melts.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/66105-fema-and-noaa-floods-happen-everywhere-be-a-force-of-nature-be-prepared
Be prepared, and get insured, urges The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"Floods are the most common and costliest natural disaster in the nation," said David Miller, associate administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration at FEMA. "Floods can affect just about anyone anywhere. Having a flood insurance policy and emergency plan in place can keep you and your loved ones safe and resilient if a flood occurs."
With an increasing threat of flooding in the weeks ahead, NOAA's National Weather Service will be monitoring river and stream levels and any additional precipitation to issue forecasts and alerts for areas prone to flooding. In the upper Midwest and Northeast, above-average snow pack, frozen ground and thick ice coverage on streams and rivers will elevate the threat of flooding, which will vary depending on the rate of snow and ice melt and additional rainfall. Take a closer look at NOAA's spring flood risk.
Follow these tips to prepare for and stay safe during a flood:
- Know your risk. Determine your flood risk and research weather predictions for your area. Community officials can talk to you about your community's flood history and the measures they're taking to reduce the impact of a future flood.
- Get insured. You can buy a flood insurance policy from your insurance agent or find an agent at FloodSmart.gov. It typically takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect, so don't delay.
- Take Action. Sign up for weather alerts, use a weather radio, and monitor local forecasts at weather.gov so you have time to act. Visit Ready.gov/alerts to learn about public safety alerts. Get to a safe place when a flood is imminent. During flooding, never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn Around Don't Drown.
- Be an Example. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and to share the steps you took to become weather-ready. When you get to a safe place, share the weather alerts you used and steps taken with your friends and family. Find more tips at Ready.gov/prepare on how to get involved and be an example in your area.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. http://www.Ready.gov/
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/66105-fema-and-noaa-floods-happen-everywhere-be-a-force-of-nature-be-prepared
SOURCE FEMA
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