The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. LOCAL HAZARD RESOURCE Flood Preparedness Learning Objectives Students will be able to explain what causes flooding and what happens during a flood. Students will be able to explain what to do during a flood WATCH and a flood WARNING. Students will learn the best ways to stay safe during a flood. Key Facts for Presenters Floods are simply too much water on normally dry land. Flooding occurs when heavy rainfall, snow and ice melt, a coastal storm surge, or a dam break causes rivers and streams to overflow, spilling water onto land that is normally dry. Floods also happen with land-falling hurricanes and tropical storms. Flooding can occur any time of the year, anywhere in the U.S., and can last several days or weeks. River floods can last weeks or longer. Flash floods occur when waterways fill up and overflow quickly. A flash flood can occur even when it is not raining where you are. It may be raining hard upstream...so hard that water cannot sink into the ground, causing rivers and streams to fill up past their banks and overflow. There is an added risk of flooding (and landslides) when heavy rain falls after a wildfire because, without trees to hold down the soil, the rainwater can flow in torrents down the mountainsides. Flooding has become more severe as more of the landscape has been covered by asphalt and concrete for roads, parking lots, etc. When there was more natural landscape, rainwater was absorbed into the soil; now it flows into rivers and streams as runoff, adding to the volume of flood waters. In addition, when flood waters spread over paved areas, they can become fast-flowing channels and long-standing pools. Families should find out if their home stands in a flood-prone area, and if so, how high flood waters have risen there in the past, so that they can take steps to reduce flood water damage to their home and possessions, assess their risk when flooding is expected, and prepare to evacuate when flood waters threaten. Weather forecasters issue a flood (or flash flood) WATCH when conditions indicate that flooding is possible within 12-36 hours. They issue a flood (or flash flood) WARNING when flooding has been observed or seems likely to start at any minute. During a flood (or flash flood) WATCH, listen for news about the situation, prepare to evacuate, and, if you live in a flood-prone area, take steps to protect things that could be damaged or ruined. During a flood (or flash flood) WARNING, anyone who lives in a flood-prone area should evacuate immediately to higher ground, by foot if necessary. Flood waters should always be avoided. They can be so fast-moving that just 6 inches of water will knock a person off his feet and just 2 feet will sweep a car from the road. Flood waters can also carry harmful waste and chemicals, and may hide venomous snakes or downed power lines. 1
PRESENTER NOTES SCRIPT Ask students: ÎÎCan anyone tell us where floods happen? Call on 1-2 students for a response. Explain how floods occur: ÎÎThat s right! Floods usually start near rivers and streams, then spread out over more and more land until a large area that is usually dry is covered by water. ÎÎFloods happen when there is too much water for the rivers and streams to hold, usually because of heavy rainfall or too much melting ice and snow. Floods can also happen when ice and snow that has been blocking a river breaks loose, or when a dam breaks. ÎÎThe rain or ice and snow can be miles away from the land that gets flooded, so we have to be prepared for floods even when the weather nearby is dry and sunny. ÎÎWe have to be prepared for floods near the ocean too, where they can be caused by tropical storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis. ÎÎAnd in cities, we have to be prepared for flooding when rain falls too fast for the drainage systems to handle and water collects on the streets. ÎÎNo matter where they happen, floods can last a long time days, weeks, or even longer. If no child lives near a river or stream, adapt the script by reminding the group that floods can start miles away. Ask students for a show of hands: ÎÎHow many of you live near a river or stream? Explain how location determines flood risk: ÎÎThat s what I thought. Lots of us like to live near water. And that means lots of us live where there s a chance of flooding. ÎÎTo find out for sure, you need to research the topography of your area that means the shape of the land...where there are high spots and low spots, like hills and valleys. And you need to find out if your area has been flooded in the past. ÎÎIf you live in a low spot that has flooded in the past, your household should plan now to stay safe if flooding happens again for example, by finding a nearby high spot where you can go until the flooding stops. Ask students: ÎÎSo, let s start getting prepared. Has anyone ever heard of a flood WATCH or a flood WARNING? Take a show of hands. Explain what to do during a flood WATCH and a flood WARNING: ÎÎThat s good! In our area, floods happen pretty often, so it s important to know what to do when there s a flood WATCH or flood WARNING. ÎÎWeather forecasters put out a flood WATCH when they think flooding might occur within the next day or so (12-36 hours). That gives people who live in low spots time to get ready to head for higher ground, and time to move things that could be damaged by the flood. ÎÎWeather forecasters put out a flood WARNING when they think flooding will start very soon or they get reports that flooding has already started. If you live in a low spot and hear a flood WARNING, your family should immediately head for higher ground. ÎÎMost times weather forecasters can let us know about flooding in advance, but there s something called a flash flood that can happen almost without warning. That s when a river or stream fills up with water so fast that it starts to overflow quickly. A flash flood may be caused by a sudden, heavy rain storm that is miles away, so when there are storms anywhere in the area, you should be on the alert for flash floods. 2
PRESENTER NOTES Talk with the teacher ahead of time about the school s evacuation plan for floods. Ask students: SCRIPT ÎÎSo, what if you don t live in a low spot or anywhere near a river or stream do you have to be prepared for flooding? Call on 1-2 students for a response. Explain how to stay safe during a flood: ÎÎThat s right! Floods affect the whole community, not just the people who live in low spots. Floods wash away roads and bridges, knock down buildings, and can knock out the electricity. ÎÎThe most important rule for staying safe during a flood is to get to higher ground when the flood waters start rising. Even if you don t live in a low spot, you might be shopping or visiting in a low spot when the flooding starts, so this is a rule everyone needs to follow. ÎÎThe other important rule is to stay away from the flood water. It might look like regular water, but flood water can be very fast-moving and could knock you down if you tried to wade through it, even if it s only 6 inches deep. And flood water that is just 2 feet deep can sweep a car right off the road. Flood water can also have dangerous things in it, and it s dirty. So stay away from flood water, whether you re walking or in a car. Remember this safety rule: Turn Around, Don t Drown! ÎÎAnd if you do live in a low spot and know you might have to get to higher ground some day, talk with a grownup about how you d do that without having to walk or drive through flood water. Check out the topography of your neighborhood together, to find a safe way to get to higher ground. You can also ask a grownup to find out if your community has safe evacuation routes already marked out. Lead students in one of the Practice Activities below. ÎÎSo, are you ready to practice what we ve learned about being prepared for a flood? Lead students in one of the Sharing Activities below. ÎÎNow let s share what we ve learned. Wrap-up with a review: ÎÎWhere does flooding happen? A: It can happen near rivers and streams, along the coast, in cities when the rain falls too fast anywhere there is too much water on normally dry land. ÎÎWhat should you do when there s a flood WARNING? A: Get to higher ground if you re in a low spot. ÎÎWhat should you do if you have to cross flood water? A: Turn Around, Don t Drown! Transition: Î Î So, now you re better prepared for flooding. But remember, you need to share what you ve learned to help everyone be prepared. So later today, tell someone what can happen if you try to walk or drive through flood water. Even better, when you go home, share you ve learned and make a plan to stay safe the next time flooding happens. 3
FLOOD PRACTICE ACTIVITIES Practice Dash Divide students into teams of 5-6 for a takeoff on Jeopardy. Explain that you will read an answer and that the student teams will compete by having one team member race toward you for the chance to give the correct question. The first student to arrive gives the question and wins a point for his/her team if correct, or loses a point if incorrect. Encourage the students to figure out the correct question as a team before sending their runner toward you. Example answers and questions: 1. Rain or melting snow and ice that produces more water than rivers and streams can hold 2. Within the next day or so (12-36 hours) 3. Can happen almost without warning 4. Move things that could be damaged by flood waters What causes floods? How soon might a flood occur when there is a flood WATCH? What is a flash flood? What should you do when there is a flood WATCH? 5. Get to higher ground What should you do when there is a flood WARNING? 6. Turn Around, Don t Drown! What should you do if you come to an area covered by flood water? Flood Walk Lead students on an imaginary evacuation from rising flood waters. Have them form a line behind you, then walk around the room describing your journey as you encounter flood waters every few steps and have to find a different way. Watch or Warning? Have students stand up for this Simon Says style review of protective actions. As you describe different protective actions, students cross their arms for actions appropriate to a flood WATCH and raise both arms for actions appropriate to a flood WARNING. Students who make a mistake sit down. WATCH Listen to the news to find out if it s started flooding Move things that could be damaged by flood waters WARNING Head for higher ground if you are in an area threatened by flood waters Never drive through flood water Gather emergency supplies, including your Pillowcase Kit! Never wade through flood water Check on your neighborhood evacuation route Turn Around, Don t Drown! 4
FLOOD SHARING ACTIVITIES Divide students into small groups, and appoint a spokesperson for each group. Have all groups discuss one of the scenarios below and come up with ideas for what to do in that situation. Have the spokesperson report on each group s ideas, then lead a whole group discussion to decide on the best way to handle the situation. Worried about Water Katie and her family live near a river that sometimes floods in the spring. As soon as the snow starts melting, they start listening for flood warnings, so they can head to higher ground when a flood happens. But this spring, Katie s cousin Johanna is staying with her for a few weeks and Johanna has only seen floods on TV. She s worried about what might happen if the river floods while she is visiting. She even asked Katie if they might have to climb onto the roof to get away from the water. Luckily, Katie learned a lot about flood preparedness from The Pillowcase Project. We even talked about feeling worried, she told Johanna. Lots of people feel worried or scared when they think about what might happen in an emergency, even grownups. But there are ways to handle those feelings they re called coping skills and you can figure out good coping skills BEFORE an emergency happens! What could Katie teach Johanna to help her cope with her thoughts and feelings about what might happen during a flood? Answer: Encourage students to come up with their own ideas for helping Johanna cope with her worries about flooding. Use the list below and/or the Coping Skills poster to generate discussion. Note: Some students may suggest giving thanks as a coping skill (e.g., Be thankful that you are OK), but this reaction can sometimes inhibit successful coping by masking the real impact of an emergency. Acknowledge this suggestion, but do not push students in this direction. Taking slow breaths to calm down when you feel worried or scared. Sticking with a buddy so you don t feel alone. Singing a favorite song or picturing a favorite story, so you don t think so much about feeling scared. Reminding yourself how sticking together helps everyone get through a tough situation. Reminding yourself of what you have done to get through tough situations in the past. Remembering that Katie s family is prepared for floods and will show Johanna how to stay safe by heading for higher ground if one happens. Listening to grownups for other ways to help each other feel safe. Water Wise Lots of people like to live near rivers and streams, even though they know that means their homes might get flooded. What would you say to a family who wanted to build a home in a spot that had flooded many times in the past? Can you think of some new ways to build a home so that the family wouldn t have to worry too much about flooding? Answer: Students might tell the family that flooding will always be a problem where they want to build their home, so they should pick a different spot or plan to make their house safe when flooding happens. For example, they could build their home on a raised platform so that the first floor is above flood level. Or they could build with flood-resistant materials, like brick and concrete, instead of wood. Encourage students to come up with their own inventive ideas. 5
The Pillowcase Project Learn. Practice. Share. REPRODUCIBLE MASTER Flood Preparedness Sharing Activities Read the activity assigned to your group. Then talk with the members of your group to come up with ideas for that situation. Help the spokesperson for your group take notes on the group s ideas. After your spokesperson shares your group s ideas with the class, join in the discussion to decide on the best ideas for the situation. Worried about Water Katie and her family live near a river that sometimes floods in the spring. As soon as the snow starts melting, they start listening for flood warnings, so they can head to higher ground when a flood happens. But this spring, Katie s cousin Johanna is staying with her for a few weeks and Johanna has only seen floods on TV. She s worried about what might happen if the river floods while she is visiting. She even asked Katie if they might have to climb onto the roof to get away from the water. Luckily, Katie learned a lot about flood preparedness from The Pillowcase Project. We even talked about feeling worried, she told Johanna. Lots of people feel worried or scared when they think about what might happen in an emergency, even grownups. But there are ways to handle those feelings they re called coping skills and you can figure out good coping skills BEFORE an emergency happens! What could Katie teach Johanna to help her cope with her thoughts and feelings about what might happen during a flood? Water Wise Lots of people like to live near rivers and streams, even though they know that means their homes might get flooded. What would you say to a family who wanted to build a home in a spot that had flooded many times in the past? What ideas could you give the family for making their home safer in case a flood happens again? Can you think of some new ways to build a home so that the family wouldn t have to worry too much about flooding?