Evacuation Routes Important in Flooding 

Release Date: January 12, 2007
Release Number: 1668-061

» More Information on Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding

ALEXANDRIA, La. -- History can be a great teacher. Louisiana citizens can prepare for future flooding with attention to a personal evacuation route and communication plan.

"Learn flood-warning signs and your community's alert signals,"said Lee Champagne, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) federal coordinating officer.

Individuals living in flash-flood areas should have several alternative routes.

An emergency communication plan for getting back together is important in case family members are separated from one another during floods or flashfloods. This is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school. A specific pre-arranged location for meeting should be determined.

An out-of-state relative or friend can serve as the "family contact."After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.

It is important to make sure that all family members know how to respond after a flood or flashflood:

If time permits, here are other steps that you can take before the flood waters come:

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Jan-2007 10:32:09