CONTINGENCY PLAN
What is a Flood?
Floods are natural occurrences where an area or land that is normally dry abruptly becomes submerged in water. It is an overflow of large quantities of water onto a normally dry land due to overflow of streams, rivers, lakes or oceans and as the most common reason, a result of heavy rainfall. Flood is one of the most common natural disasters that happens in the Philippines. It causes millions worth of damages to property, agriculture, in the environment, economy, and it kills thousands of lives of people and animals.
To increase awareness on disaster risk reduction, here is a contingency plan about flood, with the following objectives:
To share information on what to do before, during, and after a flood.
To reduce number of casualties and damages.
To prevent and mitigate further hazards to people, the environment, and economy by planning immediate response and improve recovery strategies.
BEFORE A FLOOD
Be alert and be aware of the surroundings.
Ready your supplies (drinking water, ready-to-eat food, cash, clothing and toiletries, flashlight and extra batteries, power banks)
Secure important documents.
Identify places to go/evacuation areas.
Discuss your family disaster plan
Decide for a meeting place if family members get separated.
Assign a contact person to reach if gets separated and make sure everyone has the contact information.
If you have pets, check them and their safety.
Be prepared to evacuate, if ever.
Pray.
DURING A FLOOD
Turn off power and unplug all sockets.
Monitor the weather and flood updates in your areas.
Elevate your appliances or furniture into higher areas.
Evacuate to higher ground or go into evacuation areas.
If you have pets, bring them with you.
In case you are being trapped by the flood, call for emergency hotlines.
Do not attempt to cross any river during flood, where water flows fast.
Pray.
AFTER A FLOOD
Do not return to your home until further notice by the authorities.
Upon returning to your home, be aware and avoid areas that are still flooded, soils that eroded, fallen power lines and vegetation debris.
Help those who are in need.
Do not enter your house if it’s still flooded. Power outlets might still be submerged or presence of loose and exposed wires.
Kill main power switch before entering your house, check for structural damages such as cracks in the foundation that water seeped in. Consult help to professional authorities to check the structural integrity of your house.
Wear safety equipment such as rubber boots, battery powered flashlight, safety hats, etc. upon entering your house.
Look and repair for possible future hazard such as gas leaks, exposed electrical wires. Check the floors, wall and ceiling for the risk of collapsing.
After everything indicted above is followed and repaired, proceed to cleaning, disinfecting everything that got wet. Waters from flood may contain bacteria and chemicals and may lead to skin problems or illnesses.
Wait several days before turning the main power switch on for it to dry. Some electrical components and power outlets may still contain water that may cause short circuits.
Pray.
This is a contingency plan that I submitted before for a subject and I just want to share this here. Hope this somehow helps. :)
Thank you. ❤️
