It’s definitely something to keep in mind, depending on where you live in Menlo Park.
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Flooding, by definition, is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. So it isn’t limited to the pictures we see of rivers overflowing their banks or dams failing and inundating entire villages. Flooding could be a culvert under a local road becoming clogged with debris and causing water to flow onto the roadway.
In general for the Bay Area, flood danger is higher this year because last year’s wildfires resulted in the loss of vegetation that would normally help mitigate the likelihood of flash flooding. And so it’s worth knowing about safety precautions in the event you find yourself facing floodwaters on the road.
Knowing how to protect yourself
Here are some key safety tips from ready.gov:
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around, don’t drown!
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and what you will need.
- Build a “go kit” of the supplies you will need if you have to quickly evacuate your home.
- Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans and flash flood response.
- Gather supplies — including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies and water for several days — in case you must leave immediately. The CDC recommends having at least three days’ worth of supplies on hand, including 1 gallon of water per day for each person and pet.
- Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
- If your car is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside. If water is rising inside the car, get on the roof.
For a complete list of recommended practices for flood safety, see ready.gov.