High water is a significant flooding of an area as a result of an increase in the water level in a river, lake during the period of snow melting, rainstorms, wind seiches, in case of blockages, ice jams and so on.
Risk factors of floods and high waters: destruction of houses and buildings, bridges; washaway of rail and automobile roads; accidents on utility systems; destruction of crops; injured people among the population and deaths of animals.
As a result of a flood and high water, the sinking of houses and subsidence of ground take place, shifts and cavings occur.
What to do in case of a high water hazard
Actions in case a hazard of high water occurrence emerges:
· Carefully listen to information about the emergency situation and instructions on the operational order and do not use the telephone without a real need, so that you can be reached if necessary.
· Stay calm, warn your neighbors, provide help to the disabled, children and people of elderly age.
· Learn about the gathering place for the resident’s evacuation in local government bodies and local self-governance and prepare for it.
· Prepare documents, clothes and the most essential times, a supply of food for several days, medication. Place it all into a suitcase. Keep the documents in a waterproof bag.
· Disconnect all electric equipment from the power network, turn off gas.
· Transfer all valuable items and food to the upper floors or put them on the upper shelves.
· Move the cattle that you have in your household to an elevated area.
Actions in case of a sudden flooding during high water
· Keep calm, do not panic.
· Quickly gather all necessary documents, medication, food products and other essential items.
· Provide assistance to children, the disabled and people of elderly age. They are to be evacuated in first place.
· If possible, leave the flooded zone immediately
· Before leaving the house, turn off power and gas supply, put out fire in stoves. Close the windows and doors, if there is time, board the ones on the first floor (with shields).
· Open the barn – give the cattle a chance to escape
· Go up to the upper floors. If the house is one-story –take up the attic rooms.
· Until help arrives, remain on the upper floors, roofs, trees and other elevated spots, signal to rescuers so they are able to find you quickly.
· Check whether there are any injured people nearby; if possible provide aid to them.
· If you find yourself in water, take off heavy clothes and shoes, search for objects near you that can be used until help arrives.
· Do not overfill rescue equipment (crafts, boats, rafts).
