France: Orange Flood Alerts

NATURAL DISASTER WARNINGS

Seven French departments remain on orange alerts for flooding, as experts warn that floodwaters continue to rise along several French rivers.
Meteo-France lifted a warning in Landes early on Monday, February 8. Still, they maintained the orange alert level - the second-highest - for Charente, Charente-Maritime, Maine-et-Loire, Oise, Saône-et-Loire, Seine-et-Marne and Somme.

SOURCE: www.connexionfrance.com

For more information about how to stay safe, please see our safety ADVISORY.

Safety Tips – Floods

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is usually dry. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering floodwaters can lead to injury or death!

 

What to do

  • Move to higher ground or a higher floor
  • Prepare emergency supplies (First Aid)
  • Prepare an emergency food and water supply
  • Listen to your local radio or television station for updates
  • If you have an internet connection monitor live news
  • If evacuation appears necessary: turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.
  • Have an emergency escape plan ready
  • Charge cell phone
  • If you feel threatened by rising water, leave your home or move to upper floors

Stay safe

  • Unplug all electrical items and store them away from floodwaters
  • Move all inhabitants and pets to safe locations
  • Use the internet, radio and local media for news updates
  • Beware of and watch for structural damages, such as falling walls and ceilings
  • Store any irreplaceable family items and important documents somewhere safe
  • Avoid low spots, like ditches, basements, or underpasses
  • Stay off the bridges over fast-moving water
  • Don’t drive through floodwaters. If stuck, exit the car and move to higher ground
  • Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water

What to do After

  • Avoid driving through flooded areas and standing water
  • If you evacuated: return to your home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do so
  • Listen to water advisory from local authorities to find out if your water is safe for drinking and bathing
  • Avoid moving water
  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded
  • Check for structural damage before going inside
  • Begin initial clean-up as soon as waters recede, separating damaged from undamaged items
  • When cleaning, wear a mask, gloves and coveralls to minimize exposure to possible hazardous materials


Advice

  • If trapped, try to contact 112 and stay by a window to attempt to signal someone outside.
  • Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters
  • Do not eat or drink anything exposed to the likely contaminated floodwaters
  • Do not use potentially contaminated water for washing or food preparations
  • Do not leave doors and windows unlocked when leaving your property due to high incidences of looting
  • If you must walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you