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Each year, severe storms cause flash floods, contaminate the drinking water supply, disrupt electrical service and damage homes and contents. They also can strand individuals playing near or crossing streams, rivers, flood control channels and intersections.

Determining how much information should be shared with children is up to the individual families. A good rule-of-thumb, however, is to try not to overwhelm children at one setting. Allow them to handle the loss in small doses, but be open and honest about what is happening.

The American Red Cross can help you by providing you with a voucher to purchase new clothing, groceries, essential medications, bedding, essential furnishings, and other items to meet emergency needs. Listen to local radio stations to find out where to go for this assistance, or look up American Red Cross in the phone book and call.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for such emergencies

Are you looking for ways to protect your home from flooding? There are many things you can do, depending on the flood hazard in your area, the characteristics of your property, and the zoning and building codes in your community. Some methods are fairly simple and inexpensive; others will require a professional contractor.

Heavy and sustained rainfall from winter storms causes millions and, at times, billions of dollars in property damage annually. Planning and preparing against these disastrous effects, especially in hillside areas, can reduce or eliminate damage to homes and property. This pamphlet provides homeowners and residents with some useful methods for controlling the damage possible from such storms.

As flood waters recede for some Kansans, others continue to experience the daily stress of evacuation from homes, loss of farms and businesses, and uncertainty. Because of the continual “not knowing what’s next” people are unsure if they can return home while others wonder if they will yet have to evacuate. Natural disasters often lead to prolonged emotional and physical stress. Disasters can also lead to “lessons learned” as communities rebuild.

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural Hazards. Some floods develop over a period of days, but flash floods can result in raging waters in just a few minutes. Flash floods carry deadly cargo or rocks, mud, and other debris and can occur without any visible sign of Rainfall.

Open burning of wood may be permitted, although extreme caution is urged, due to possible gas leaks and other storm-related problems. Be sure to contact your local fire authorities prior to any burning. Some local authorities regulate open burning, so check with them first. Burning will be allowed only with the approval of the local fire officials or emergency coordinator.

Everything that may have come in contact with floodwaters does not have to be thrown away. For example, some kitchen equipment, dishes, and utensils can be salvaged.

As the national repository of the records of the Federal government, the National Archives & Records The administration recognizes the importance of family records. During the mid-west floods of 1993, the staff of the National Archives developed some technical tips to guide individuals in emergency stabilization and salvage of damaged documents, photographs, books, and other personal papers. It is important to note that flood damage to some items may be irreversible. The treatment of objects of high monetary, historical, or sentimental value should only be performed in consultation with a conservator.

lying area, near water, or downstream from a dam. Even tiny streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Every state is at risk. from this hazard.

Mitigation pays. It includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in mitigation steps now, such as constructing barriers such as levees and purchasing flood insurance, will help reduce the amount of structural damage to your home and financial loss from building and crop damage should a flood or flash flood occur.