Floods

GETTING PREPARED

f you live in an area with flood problems in the past

In case of severe rainfall warning:

• Make sure that the water drains and rain spouts outside your house are not blocked and operate properly.
• Limit traveling as much as possible and avoid working or living in underground places.

DURING THE FLOOD

If you are indoors

• Avoid underground places and move to a secure higher point.

If you are outdoors

• Do not cross torrents on foot or by car
• Stay away from electric wires.
• Abandon your car if it gets immobilized as it might be swept away or flooded.
• Avoid areas where landslides have occurred.

AFTER THE FLOOD

If you are outdoors

• Stay away from flooded areas or areas dangerous to flood in the next hours
• The flood is likely to have changed the known area characteristics and waters might have swept away parts of the streets, the pavements etc.
• Dangers are imminent from broken pavements, areas with dangerous slope, mudslides etc.
• The water is likely to be polluted from rubbish, dead animals or other materials.
• Be careful not to obstruct rescue crews.
• Don’t approach areas where landslides and rock falls have occurred.
• Check if your house or place of work runs the risk of a possible fall of rocks.

If it’s absolutely necessary to walk or to drive in flooded areas

• Try to find solid ground.
• Avoid moving waters.
• If you see a flooded street, stop and change direction.
• Avoid stagnant waters that could be electric-current conductors if there are underground power cables or leaks.
• Follow the authorities’ instructions.

What to do during restoration of damages

Before you begin restoration works

• Remember: Even when flood waters recede danger still exists.
• Contact the Authorities to ensure that the location of your home or your place of employment is safe to return, particularly if there was prior evacuation.
• Switch off the electric supply even if the power company has switched off the whole area.
• Turn off the water supply in case of potential damage to the water supply.

To inspect a flooded building

• Wear protective shoes so as not to get injured from objects or irregularities of the ground hidden by water.
• Examine the walls, doors, stairs and windows.
• Check the networks of electric power, water and drainage systems.
   

PAY ATTENTION TO IRISH CROSSINGS (LOW WATER CROSSINGS)!

There are places on the road network, where the road crosses streams and where there is no bridge. In order to facilitate the local movement of vehicles, a makeshift construction solution is implemented by means of concrete paving. This construction is called an Irish crossing.
Accidents and fatalities are frequent occurrences when crossing an Irish crossing.

When you come across an Irish crossing:

• Exercise the necessary caution.
• While on foot or in a vehicle, do not cross an Irish crossing when it is flooded. Your life is at risk!
• Do not overestimate the suitability of your vehicle.
• It is better to drive for a few extra kilometers, choosing another route, so that you can safely reach your destination.

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