What to do When a Flood Occurs
- If a flood does occur in your area, listen to the radio or television for important information regarding evacuation routes, warning signals, and possible emergency shelters.
- Residents can monitor local river levels through the USGS stream gauges website.
- If you have to leave your home, do not walk through moving water. It only takes six (6) inches of moving water to make you fall, and two (2) feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles including SUV’s and pick-up trucks.
- Avoid electrical lines and equipment. Electrocution is the second leading cause of death during floods. Turn off power at your service panel. Electrical current will travel through flood water.
- Be alert to gas leaks. Turn off gas to your house before a flood. If you smell gas, report it to your gas company and avoid open flames.
- Don’t use gas engines or fires indoors during power outages. These pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires.
- Clean anything that has been wet. Flood water will be contaminated with sewage, oil, gasoline, and a variety of chemicals that pose severe health risks.
- Always cooperate with emergency officials and rescue personnel. You can replace personal belongings, but you can't replace someone's life.
- If you would like more information on Flathead County’s Flood Warning System, contact the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services at 406-758-5560 or go to OES.
Pre-Disaster Mitigtation
Flathead County completed and adopted a Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Plan in 2009 which was updated in 2014 to help guide and focus hazard mitigation activities. The Flathead County PDM Plan profiles significant hazards to the community and identifies mitigation projects that can reduce those impacts. The purpose is to promote sound public policy designed to protect residents, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the environment from natural and man-made hazards. The updated Flathead County PDM Plan includes resources and information to assist residents, organizations, local government, and others interested in participating in planning for natural and man-made hazards, including flooding. The chapter regarding flooding can be found HERE.
Useful FloodPlain Links
- National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) - Click HERE
- Answers to Questions About the NFIP - Click HERE
- Elevation Certificate - Click HERE
- Flood Tools Website - www.floodtools.com
- FEMA Website - https://www.fema.gov/