Flood Preparedness

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A flood is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. It is the most common natural disaster in the world. Floods can happen anywhere in the United States and its territories. Floods can result from rainfall, snowmelt, coastal or tropical storms, storm surge, and overflows of dams and other water systems. Floods can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly, and can cause power outages, pollute drinking water systems, and damage homes, buildings, and infrastructure.

Prepare Now:

Sign up for Amador County Emergency Alerts and download the Amador County Sheriff's Office mobile app.
Know your area's type of flood risk and consider your personal risk of experiencing impacts. Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center by clicking here for more information.
Purchase flood insurance. Standard insurance policies do not cover flooding. Get flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Have a communication plan to stay connected with family, friends, and neighbors during and after a flood. Plan to text or message because you may not be able to make or receive phone calls.
Develop an evacuation plan. Consider where you will go and how you will get there. Practice your evacuation route.
Be ready to shelter-in-place. Evacuation is not always possible or the safest option.
Gather enough food, water, and emergency supplies to last you several days. Consider everyone's specific needs, including medication. Have extra batteries and charges for mobile devices.
Keep important documents in a dry, safe place such as a fireproof, waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies.
Protect your property. Move valued items to higher levels. Elevate critical utilities. Consider installing a backwater valve and a battery-operated sump pump. Declutter drains and gutters. Use sandbags to create a flood barrier.

Survive During:

Pay attention to weather reports and local news updates and stay alert for potential signs of flash flooding. Follow the instructions in all emergency alert notifications.
Evacuate immediately when ordered to. Do not underestimate the threat of flooding by failing to evacuate when it is safe to do so. Take critical supplies and documents with you when you evacuate.
Move to higher ground or the highest level of a building to avoid becoming trapped by rising floodwater, but do not climb into a closed attic.
Do not attempt to cross floodwaters. Floodwater can pose a drowning risk for everyone - regardless of their ability to swim.
Do not drive through floodwaters. The depth of the water is not always obvious and just a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle - even a sports utility vehicle - off the road.
Do not drive into underground roads or through tunnels during a flood.
Never drive around barriers blocking a flooded road. Floodwaters may have damaged the road or made it unsafe.

Be Safe After:

After an evacuation, return to your home only after local officials have said it is safe to do so. Pay attention to and follow guidance from local officials.
Do not assume your drinking water is safe to use or consume after a flood. Check with your local health department.
Stay away from floodwater. It may contain hazards, including sharp objects, downed power lines, sewage, bacteria, chemicals, diseased insects and wild or stray animals.
Be careful when going outdoors after a flood. Be alert for downed or unstable trees, utility poles and power lines.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
Only use generators and other fuel-burning equipment outdoors and at least 20 feet away from building openings like windows, doors or garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before attempting to clean up debris or repair any property damaged by a flood, hire a qualified flood adjuster. Remember to wear protective gear when you clean up flood debris.
Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your flood insurer to file a flood insurance claim. Register with FEMA for additional assistance.

Click here to download our Flood Preparedness Guide

Additional Information:

Here are ways to keep water out of your home and instructions for filling sandbags and building a barrier from the California Department of Water Resources and the California Conservation Corps.

EASY Ways to Keep Water Out of Your House:
During the times of heavy rains, most damage to homes and property comes from flooded streets, particularly those with blocked drains. Be sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris. Low curbs and sloping driveways also pose a problem.

Your home can be protected by directing the water flow. Sandbag walls can be used to divert water or mud. Place the sandbag walls so they channel the water to a clear drain or gutter.

HOW TO: Fill a Sandbag and Build a Sandbag Barrier

A. Work with another person, with one of you holding the bag while the other shovels sand or other material. The first shovelful is placed on the edge of the bag to keep the bag open. The bag holder should bend at the waist, with elbows resting on knees. The shoveler gets rounded scoops of sand and fills the bag to just one-third full. Avoid injury by not twisting while shoveling.

B. Fold over the open end of the bag in a triangle to prevent sand from leaking out. Close-knit burlap bags are recommended.

C. Place a line of bags with the folded side up, with folded edges facing the direction of water flow. Stomp each bag into place. Like you would bricks, stagger the next layer of bags over the folded tops of the bags underneath. Stop each layer of bags. To give the structure stability, the base should be 1.5 times wider than the height (Example, 6 ft. wide by 4 ft. high).

D. When you don't have time to build a sandbag barrier, use a temporary levee to raise low areas. Prepare ahead by buying 20-foot-wide sheets of plastic (6-10 mil thickness). Lay out the length you need and place sand, dirt, or gravel on the half facing your property. Fold over the other half and place a solid row of sandbags on the edge of the plastic to anchor the top edge of the plastic sheet.

E. In locations where water could rise with no current, such as at lake shores, lay visquine plastic on the ground up to walls, and form a half pyramid of sandbags. Cover doors and vents with plywood.

For an illustrated instruction sheet, click here or go to the California Department of Water Resources web site.

Community Sandbag Program: The Amador County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services reminds residents of the Community Sandbag Program. The County will provide sand and sandbags to all county residents on a self- serve basis for localized flooding emergencies. A pile of sand and bags are located near the County General Services Administration Building in the Airport parking lot in Martell. All residents need to do is bring a shovel to fill the sandbags. The sand and bags are there for unplanned emergencies.

In addition to the County program, the Cities of Ione, Jackson, and Sutter Creek are offering a similar program to their residents. Contact your city hall for more information.

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