Welcome to Southwind District!
Turn Around - Don't Drown!
That seems to be all we've heard lately, but it still bears repeating! Did you know that just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your car away.
We want ALL of you in Southwind District to be safe during this period of bad weather. Here is some basic information, as well as links to sources for current flood conditions, and helpful phone numbers.
Preparing FOR a flood:
- Pay attention to weather reports on tv, the radio, social media, and smart phones.
- Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately, or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person's specific needs, including medication. Don't forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices and other critical equipment.
- Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters.
- Identify safe locations. Family members that do not live with you should be told where to find you in the event of a flood.
Survive DURING a flood:
- Depending on where you are, and the impact and warning time of flooding, go to the safe location that you previously identified.
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
- Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters!
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
- If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, then stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, then seek refuge on the roof.
- If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once there, signal for help.
Be safe AFTER a flood:
- Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
- Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
- Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
- Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.
- Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of the car.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
Helpful Links:
- Food Safety: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3199.pdf,
- Cleaning: https://preview.tinyurl.com/UnivMOflood
- Flooding and your garden: https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Waterlogged%20Soils.pdf
- Financial Recovery: https://preview.tinyurl.com/UnivMOflood
- Mold: http://www.water-research.net/Waterlibrary/Mold/moldinhome.pdf
Emergency Management Links and Phone Numbers:
- Allen County Emergency Management - 620-625-1437
- Allen County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AllenCoEM/
- Bourbon County Emergency Management: 620-223-3800 x124
- Bourbon County Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bourboncountyks/
- Neosho County Emergency Management: 620-244-3874
- Neosho County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nocoksemergencymanagement/
- Woodson County Emergency Management: 620-625-8640 (Sheriff office)
- Woodson County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodsoncountyem/
Other Helpful Links:
- http://www.ready.gov
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood.html
- https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
- http://www.kandrive.org
- http://gis2.kda.ks.gov/gis/ksfloodplain/ This site does not work for all Southwind counties. Shows flood areas when you type in your address at the top of the page.
Volunteer and Donate Responsibly
- Financial contributions are the most efficient method of donating. Funds allow the most flexibility in obtaining the needed resources, at the correct time and moves money into the local economy to help business recover. Remember, unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
- Donate through a trusted organization. At the national level, many voluntary, faith and community based organizations are active during disasters, and are a trusted way to donate to disaster survivors.
