Flood Awareness Week

August 21 to 25 is Louisiana Flood Awareness Week, an opportunity to educate citizens on the many ways to prepare for floods and mitigate future damage.

“Anywhere it can rain, it can also flood,” said Carol Friedland, director of the LaHouse Research and Education Center. “Staying prepared and weather aware during a flood is important to keep Louisiana communities safe.”

It’s a good idea to have a “go bag” always packed in case one needs to evacuate quickly. Go bags should contain supplies, copies of personal documents, clothes and food that doesn’t need to be cooked to last a family about three days.

It’s also smart to go over the family’s emergency plan a few times a year in case of a natural disaster. If evacuating, never drive on a flooded street as it only takes a few inches of water to cause a driver to lose control of a car.

Additionally, staying informed during a flood event is important as road closures and new developments may be announced. Always follow the guidance of emergency officials before, during and after a flood.

There are also changes to the home that can reduce flood damage. Elevating appliances like the washer and dryer can reduce the need to replace them in the event of a flood.

Additionally, installing flood vents can reduce damage to the foundation and walls due to excess water pressure during a flood. While additional elevation is the best way to prevent flooding, these small changes can reduce flood damage overall.

LaHouse is a one-stop resource for information on resilient, sustainable and healthy homes in the Gulf of Mexico region. For more information, visit www.lsuagcenter.com/LaHouse.