CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi has a list of things you should consider doing to prepare for possible flooding.
This is extra important now ahead of the possible formation and landfall of Tropical Storm Alberto, which could dump multiple inches of rain on the Coastal Bend.
BEFORE THE FLOOD
Prepare for flooding by doing the following:
- Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your home
- Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go
- Make a household inventory
- Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc., in a safe place.
- Develop a disaster response plan. See the Red Cross website for a copy of – Your Family Disaster Plan
- Get a copy of Repairing your Flooded home, which also can be found on the Red Cross website.
Consider some permanent flood protection measures.
- Mark your fuse box to show the circuits to the floodable areas. Turning the power to these floodable areas can reduce property damage (fires) and save lives.
- Consider flood protection alternatives such as flood walls or berms. *Note that some measures may require permits. Please check with the Floodplain Management Division and/or Development Services for more information.
- A copy of “Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect your House from Flooding” is available at no charge to download from FEMA P-312.
Talk to the Floodplain Management Division for information on financial assistance.
- If you are interested in elevating your building above the flood level, or if you are interested in selling your house to the City, the City may be able to apply for a federal grant to cover a portion of the cost.
- Get a flood insurance policy. It will help pay for repairs after a flood, and, in some cases, it will help pay the costs of elevating a substantially damaged building.
DURING AND AFTER FLOOD
- If emergency evacuation is needed, please visit the City’s Emergency Management Office website, listen to local Cable, radio broadcasts, and REVERSE ALERT announcements, and follow the instructions to evacuate- it saves lives of those around you and possible of the emergency workers responding.
- Ask for a licensed electrician, plumber, etc., to check or turn on your power, water, and/or gas.
- Do not wade through floodwaters due to the danger of pollutants, debris (nails, glass, etc.), and animals (snakes, ants, etc.).
- Floodwaters are often murky, and depth is hard to determine. Do not wade or drive through flood waters!
