Flood Preparedness

Information

Stay Informed

Listen to area radio and television stations and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Tips

  • Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
  • Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
  • If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than 2 feet of moving water.
  • If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way.
  • Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
  • Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
  • When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

Insurance

Because standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains, and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program's website.

Schuylkill River Gauges

Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

While floods are not preventable, the loss of life and property can be reduced significantly with more timely and accurate forecasts and warnings. An important means by which the NWS produces and distributes flood and water resource forecasts and information is through the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, known as AHPS