What to do
- Do not enter water to reach a person or vehicle. Call and help from firm ground only without endangering yourself.
- If anyone cannot leave, call rescue. Give location, number of people, whether water is rising and anyone needing help to move.
- From safety, help communicate their location to rescue. Tell them to reach an accessible higher level without crossing water and signal.
- Follow official updates and evacuation instructions. If the route is already flooded, do not cross: report that you are stranded.
- If there is no dry route, do not cross the water. Tell rescuers where you are, how many people are there, and whether anyone needs help moving, medical care or powered equipment. If you have no signal, ask someone else to find a connection only if they can leave safely. Signal with a cloth or light.
What to avoid
- Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater, even if it looks shallow. Obey barriers. Holes, cables or damaged roads may be hidden under the water.
- Keep away from wires and wet equipment. Do not enter water to disconnect electricity or touch a panel.
- Do not trap yourself in a closed attic with no exit or swim to help.
2026-10-03-draft-48