Heavy rain has been coming down for days
and it won't let up.
A loud crash outside catches your attention.
You look out the window.
A massive surge of water is sweeping away
trees, cars, and buildings with ease.
A flash flood has overrun your town.
The floodwater bursts open your door
and starts rushing into your house.
Hold your breath, because
You might think that hurricanes
or earthquakes top the list
of the deadliest natural disasters.
But floods are one of the most common,
most destructive,
and most deadly natural disasters in the world.
Floods happen when water
overflows onto dry land.
This can be caused by heavy rain,
ocean waves, or when a dam breaks.
They're frequent in coastal areas,
floodplains, and areas near a river or stream.
And with rising sea levels
and heavier rainfall due to climate change,
the number of floods is
projected to increase drastically.
First things first.
Protect yourself and your property.
If you live in an area that's prone to flooding,
one of the best things you can do to prepare
is to make your house flood proof.
Feeling handy?
You can fortify your house by
constructing a barrier to stop the floodwater.
Building levees, floodwalls,
or piling up sandbags
can help keep the water out.
If the flood breaks through the barriers,
the first place it'll reach is your basement.
Sealing the basement walls
with a waterproofing coating
can help to avoid seepage and damage.
Okay, now that you've prepared your house,
what should you do to prepare yourself?
When a flood happens,
chances are you won't be able to head out
for a peaceful stroll to the grocery store.
So stock up on emergency supplies
ahead of time.
Buy plenty of bottled water,
nonperishable food, flashlights,
and a first aid kit.
Oh, and pack a bottle of bug spray too.
Floods don't just force people out of their homes.
All kinds of bugs and pests will be
flooded out of their habitats and into yours.
Looks like a flood's on its way. Get ready.
A flood warning is in effect.
That means a flood is about to happen,
or is already happening.
Gather all your valuables, like your computer,
phone, important documents, and your pets.
Move them to a higher floor
where they're less likely to be
damaged or lost in the flood.
If you don't have an upper level,
try to get your belongings
somewhere high and safe,
like a family member or friend's home.
Water starts seeping through
the cracks of your house.
It's rising fast. What should you do now?
If you're at home, don't go downstairs.
Instead, get to a higher level above the water.
But don't hide in the attic.
Since most attics only have one way
to get in or out,
you could easily get trapped in there.
If you forgot something in the flood,
or are thinking about walking through
a flooded area, don't.
It'll be hard to determine how deep the water is,
and what kinds hazards lie below.
And whatever you do, don't drink tap water,
and especially don't drink the flood water.
"It's a bit nutty."
It could be contaminated with sewage,
gasoline, or bacteria.
Stick to your bottled water.
The rain's unrelenting.
The flood's still rising.
Forget your belongings.
Your last resort is to get on the roof
and call for help.
But the wind is strong,
and an unsuspecting wave
pushes you into the water.
You're caught in the fast moving flood.
Do everything possible to
keep your feet pointed downsteam
and move over obstacles.
Then, try to grab or climb onto anything
that can keep you stable or above the water.
Once you've got ahold of something,
yell for help, as loudly as possible.
You caught a lucky break.
A rescue team saved you,
and the flood died down.
But don't get settled just yet.
You've got some cleaning up to do.
Everything in your home that was
in contact with the floodwaters
could be contaminated.
Remember, the water may have been
polluted with sewage and diseases.
Once your house is dry and clean,
take a rest. You survived a flood.
But what if the heavy rain causes a landslide?