ALERT CHICAGOFLOOD PREPAREDNESSAFTER THE FLOOD

• Checkonelderlyordisabledneighborstomakesuretheyarewellandanyappropriateprecau-tionshavebeentaken.

• DONOTenterfloodedbasementswhereelectric-itycouldbepresent.Call3-1-1forassistance.

• Ifyouhavefloodinsurance,contactyouragentonce your safety is secured. Photograph anydamagetoyourpropertyandsavereceiptsforreplacementitemsorrepairwork.

• Avoid floodwaters for reasons of health andsafety.Donotletchildrenplayinthewater.

• Avoid down power lines and muddy waterswherepowerlinesmayhavefallen.

• Discardfoodthatmayhavebeencontaminatedby flooding or as a result of spoilage due topoweroutage.

• Floodwaterinbasementsislikelyfromasewerback-up, thereforewhen cleaning up takepre-cautionstoavoiddirectcontactbywearingwa-terproof gloves and boots, and washing yourhands,bodyandclothingwithsoapandwaterafterwards.

• Afterafloodedbasementorotherareahasbeenclearedofwater,scrubdowntheareawithhot,soapywater,followedbyarinsewithasolutionofwarmwaterandhouseholdbleach(1cupofbleachper5gallonsofwater).

• Mold is a serious concern. Dry all areas anditems quickly and thoroughly to prevent moldgrowth.

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

City of Chicago 3-1-1 City Serviceswww.cityofchicago.org, 312-744-5000

• Reportflooding

City of Chicago Department of Public Healthwww.cityofchicago.org, 312-747-9884

• Tipsoncleaningupafteraflood

City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communicationswww.AlertChicago.com, 312-746-9111

• Emergencypreparedness

City of Chicago Department of Water Management www.cityofchicago.org, 312-744-4420

• Flooding,stormwatermanagement,sewer andwatersupplysysteminformation

Chicago Climate Action Planwww.chicagoclimateaction.org

• Strategiesforpreparingforclimatechange

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.fema.gov, 1-800- 621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)

• Emergencypreparedness

FormoreinformationaboutemergenciesintheCityofChicagovisit

www.AlertChicago.com

This document was prepared under a grant from the FederalEmergency Management Agency’s FEMA’s Grant ProgramsDirectorate,U.S.Department ofHomelandSecurity. Points ofview or opinions expressed in this document are those of theauthors and do not necessarily represent the official positionor policies of FEMA’sGrant ProgramsDirectorate or the U.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurityorStateofIllinois.

PREPARE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS• Elevate the furnace,water heater, electric panel

andotherelectricorvaluableitems.

• Usetemporarybarrierssuchassandbagstostopfloodwaterfromenteringthebuilding.Amoreper-manentbarriermayrequirespecialpermits.

• Sealwallsinbasementswithwaterproofingcom-

poundstoavoidseepage.

• Keep an adequate supply of food, flashlights,batteries, and drinking water in case you aretrappedinsideyourhome.

• Greenspacethatincludestrees,plants,andgrass,canabsorborslowdowntherushofwater inaheavyrain.Ifpossible,planttreesandplants,es-peciallythosewithdeeproots,andavoidpavingovergreenspaceonyourproperty.Ifyourproper-tyhasadequategreenspace,considerdisconnect-ingoneormoredownspoutstokeepwateroutofthesewersandhelppreventbasementbackups.

For more information about emergencies in the City of Chicago visit www.AlertChicago.com

BEFORE THE FLOODPLAN AHEAD• Beforeorduringheavyrain,removedebris,such

as leaves, sticks and litter, from sewer structures(i.e.,catchbasins)inyourareatoallowthewatertoenter.

• Determineanemergencymeeting location in theevent of a flood. Provide your insurance agent,employer, and family members with emergencycontact information so that you can be reachedbefore,during,andafteraflood.

• Store important documents in awaterproof con-tainer, including insurance information, vehicletitles,andreceiptsandwarrantiesformajorappli-ances.

• PrepareaGoBagwithitemsyoumayneedifyoumustleaveyourhome.Bepreparedtoimproviseandusewhatyouhaveonhandtomakeitonyourownforatleastthreedaysandmaybelonger.In-cludeitemssuchasfreshwater,foodandprescrip-tionmedications.TolearnhowtoassembleaGoBag,visitwww.AlertChicago.com

In the event of any emergency, the

City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency

Management and Communications

(OEMC) coordinates efforts with lo-

cal state and federal agencies to en-

sure the safety of all residents. In the

event of a flood, the City will provide

residents important information and

keep residents informed, however, it

is essential that residents be prepared

for any situation.

Scientists predict changing weather

patterns and heavy rains and snow

could become more frequent in win-

ter and spring. Flooding caused by

heavy rains is dangerous and can oc-

cur without warning. The City of Chi-

cago advises residents to be prepared

and to take precautions against flood-

ing that can occur anytime during the

year. Preparedness is key to ensuring

life safety and minimizing property

loss during a storm or flood.

Note: theCityinstalls“RainBlockers”orrestrictorsinmanycatchbasinsinthestreettoslowtherateatwhichthewaterentersthesewersystem.Whilethisresultsinstormwaterpondinginthestreets,ithelpstopreventsewersfrombackingupintobasements.SinceChicago’ssewersystemcombinesstormwaterandwastewater(or“sewage”)likemanyoldercities,thismixiswhatendsupinbasementsduringbasementfloods.

DURING THE FLOOD• DONOTenterfloodedbasementswhereelec-

tricity could be present. Call 3-1-1 for assis-tance.

• Call 9-1-1 if you or anyone you know is indanger.Checkonelderlyordisabledneighborstomakesuretheyarewellandanyappropriateprecautionshavebeentaken.

• Call3-1-1(TTY:3-1-1or312-744-5000)ifyourbasementorstreetisflooded.

• Beawareofflashfloodareassuchaslow-levelroadways, beneath viaducts, and areas adja-centtowaterways.

• Bereadytoevacuate.Moveessentialitemsfromthebasementorfirstfloortoupperfloors.Iftimeallowsbringoutsidefurnitureindoors,toupperlevels.

• If you must leave your home, do not walkthrough moving water. Six inches of movingwatercanknockyouoffyourfeet.Useasticktotestdepth.

• Donottrytodriveoverafloodedroad.Ifyourcarstalls,abandonitimmediatelyandseekanalternaterouteonfoot.

Photo by: Chris Glazier