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Flood Watch: Weekend Rains Carry Potential Flooding
The Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the possibility of flooding in the Philadelphia area this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, 2-4 inches of rain is expected beginning Friday night with the heaviest rain on Saturday. The rain is forecasted to end Sunday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the entire Delaware Valley based on this forecast.
Small streams would flood first, with the possibility of flooding on the larger rivers as well. Some tidal flooding on the Delaware River is also possible.
If you are driving and encounter flood waters or standing water, do not attempt to drive your vehicle through the water. Try to find an alternate route or wait until the water recedes.
Before coastal or flash flooding occurs, the Office of Emergency Management recommends the following preparation tips:
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Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org. -
Know your area's flood risk. To estimate your flood risk and flood insurance premium, visit www.floodsmart.gov. -
Make an itemized list of personal property, including furnishings, clothing, and valuables. -
Fill out an Emergency Plan Card containing important emergency information and contacts for you and your family. -
If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home. -
Consider getting flood insurance. Protection against loss due to floods is not covered under a homeowner's policy. Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) .
If your home is susceptible to basement flooding you should:
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If possible, seal any floor drains in your basement, as they are the lowest points of entry of sewer backup. -
Do not store anything of value in your basement. If you have time before the next heavy rainfall, relocate your valuables prior to flooding. -
To prevent sewer blockages never pour grease, paint or other thick liquids into sinks or drains. Avoid flushing items that are not suitable for sanitary sewer disposal such as paper towels, diaper wipes, contraceptive and feminine products. - Verify with your insurance company if you have flood and sewer backup coverage, especially if your basement is finished. This will usually require a separate rider to your policy.
- Never enter a flooded basement – the risk of electrocution is present. Wait for the water to subside.
For information about Flood Insurance or further Flood Preparation Tips, visit the Floods page.
When you change your clocks this weekend, remember to check your stock of emergency supply items in your household emergency kits and “Go Bags” to make sure your supplies of water, food, and batteries have not reach their expiration dates. For a complete list of emergency supplies, visit What to Have in Your Home and What to Have in Your Hand pages.
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Under the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), facilities using, storing or manufacturing more than a certain amount of hazardous chemicals on-site at any time during the 2009 calendar year are required to submit reports on their chemical inventories and pay fees to the state and local authorities.
For more information, visit Philadelphia's LEPC page. |
 Earthquake in Haiti
On Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the nation of Haiti. In these first critical weeks, government and aid organizations are focusing on saving lives and supporting recovery. For up to date news, relief effort information, or to receive help, visit the Earthquake in Haiti page of this website.
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Wally Wise Guy's
Wise Words of the Week
The Shelter-in-Place Turtle |
Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks
Daylight savings time begins on March 14 and the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management reminds the public to refresh their emergency supplies when changing their clocks with its “Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks” campaign.
“Make sure you have all of the necessary emergency supplies in your kits, and check the expiration dates on food, water as well as radio and flashlight batteries,” said Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management MaryAnn E. Tierney. “If you haven’t put together a family preparedness kit or a Go Bag of emergency supplies if you need to evacuate, do so now. The time to start planning for an emergency is not in the middle of one.”
Be sure that you have at least a three-day supply of bottled water, non-perishable foods and essential medications set aside for each member of your family. Remember your pets are part of the family too, so include some emergency supplies for them. And as always, don’t forget to check the batteries in your smoke alarms! As we prepare for the arrival of spring, make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for emergencies.
To learn how to be prepared for any kind of an emergency and for a list of supplies for your Shelter-in-Place Kit and Go Bag, visit www.phila.gov/ready or call 3-1-1. |
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Free Emergency Preparedness Workshops open to the public:
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Receive weekly updates from the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. The Ready Philadelphia Email Newsletter contains Emergency Preparedness Tips and information on upcoming Emergency Preparedness Workshops.
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Ready Philadelphia
The City of Philadelphia wants you to be prepared for any emergency. Ready Philadelphia has information on what you need to to have in your head, in your home, and in your hand. Are you ready, or not? |
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