Be Safe ~ Floodwatch

With all of the rain that is falling the risk of floods and landslides increases dramatically. If you have even minor flooding in your area stay indoors, and be sure to check your local weather service.

Here are a few that you can use.

Weather Underground

... Flood Warning extended until Sunday morning... 

The Flood Warning continues for
  the stillaguamish river at Arlington
* until Sunday morning.
* At  5:39 PM Saturday the stage was 15.5 feet.
* Flood stage is 14.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring.
* Forecast... the river crested at 15.5 feet at 6 PM Saturday and will
  continue to fall to below flood stage tonight.
* Impact... at 14.0 feet... the stillaguamish river will locally spill 
  over its banks.  Minor flooding around Silvana will occur... 
  including over Pioneer Highway.  A stage of 14 feet on the 
  stillaguamish river corresponds roughly to phase 2 in the Snohomish
  County flood program.

King 5

Here is also a good map provided by SnoCo by the Water Surface Management Department which seems to be updated in real time.

Here is a good list of what to do during each phase of possible to eminent flooding as well

When a Flood is Imminent

• Be prepared! Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications.
• If advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
• If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
• If possible, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.

During a Flood

• Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of moving water can make you fall.
• If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

After a Flood

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

We also need to remember that we live in a slide prone area, some more so then others so please keep in mind that if an area around you seems unstable enough that you have had to leave or if there has been a slide near you please leave the area in the safest way possible, if you can’t call 911 and have them send a rescuer out to you. DO NOT go back until the area has been inspected and declared safe.

The above tips come from FEMA yet they seem to leave out a good deal of things you should do to prepare.

1.) Make sure to fully charge your cell phone

2.) Get candles, flashlights, and fresh bottled water together and keep with you at all times in case you lose power. It is always a good idea to get a bucket of MRE’s sold at Costco very cheaply. Or you can get a couple neighbors together and pool your money to buy buckets of several different types of food rations.

3.) If you lose power, stay in your home, power lines could be down in water surrounding your home. Make sure you know where the main turn off valves are if you have natural gas and try to turn off your power at the breakers (but not if there is standing water nearby) If you don’t know where these are it is a good idea to call the local gas or power company to get help using your cell phone, not your home phone.

4.) Make a family plan on how to locate each other, create a meeting place where everyone should go to once it is safe. Or designate a person that everyone can contact to let the others know that everyone is safe. Facebook has a “Check In” option for those in an area of a natural disaster as well. Cell phones are now 30.00 a month for unlimited text talk and internet all over the place now, it is also good to buy one with an extra battery (which you can’t do with an I-Phone) in case your phone dies.