Flood Safety

Please review the following safety tips to ensure the safety of you and your family:

• Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive, six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or a stick to ensure that the ground is still there.
• Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical currents can travel through water. Report downed power lines to Florida Power & Light (FPL) at 1-800-468-8243 or to the Police Department at (954) 973.6700
• Have your electricity and other utilities, including gas, turned off. Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they are unplugged. Do not use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned and dried.
• Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or a stick to poke and to turn things over and to scare away small animals.
• Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and the floor are covered with debris. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know that the gas has been turned off and that the area has been ventilated.
• Pet evacuation plan. Pets cannot be taken to shelters during evacuations. Therefore, pet owners should stay with a family member or friend in the event of an evacuation, or should make plans ahead of time for their pet to stay at a kennel.