Austin Storms Pose Threat of Flooding
AUSTIN, TX – Last week’s storms wreaked havoc on Austin. Even though the worst of the weather had moved out of the area by Sunday, flooding dangers remained. Residents were stranded, streets were impassable, and one man was even interviewed from his perch in a tree.
Now that the storm has passed, residents of the city must be on the lookout for floods and other storm-related damage. Now is the perfect time to remind people about flood safety.
- If you come to a road that is covered by water, do not attempt to cross it or drive down it. It only takes a foot of water to sweep your wheels from the pavement.
- Do not walk through flooded areas if it can be avoided. Flood waters can be murky and difficult to see through. If you cannot see your feet in the water, it is not safe to walk in. Choose a different path if you can.
- Contaminated water is a danger during flooding. If you do come into contact with flood waters, make sure that you shower as soon as possible.
- Pay attention to any boil alerts that are listed. Your local water authority will issue boil alerts if the water is too contaminated to be used or ingested safely.
- Do not let your children play in flooded streets. Not only will your children be at risk of contamination, but they can easily slip and fall under the water.
Last week’s storms were incredibly serious. People lost their lives and others went missing. Now that the worst is behind us, we can move forward and start to put the pieces of our lives back together. If you experienced property damage due to the storm, be sure to contact your insurance agent for information on your eligibility to file a claim.