1. Check with the Village’s Flood Assistance Coordinator (210-2915) on flooding in your area.
Where does the water come from?
Are you in the floodplain map’s Special Flood Hazard Area or floodway?
How bad has it been in the past?
How bad could it be? (Remember, the next flood can be worse than the last one.)
What is an appropriate flood protection level? (How high should you prepare for?)
2. Check out your local drainage situation.
Does water flow away from your house or does it tend to stand next to your walls?
Is the ditch, stream or storm sewer that takes water away clear of debris or obstructions?
Do the downspouts from your roof gutters direct water well away from your house?
Do you have a sump pump? If so, does it direct water well away from your house?
3. Prepare for flooding by doing the following:
Know the flood safety guidance.
Mark your fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to the floodable areas.
Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your house when a flood comes.
Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go to.
Make a household inventory, especially of basement contents.
Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc., in a safe place.
Develop a disaster response plan – See “Your Family Disaster Plan” on the Red Cross website.
Put cleaning supplies, batteries, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a safe place.
4. Check the flood protection laws. Follow these rules, get permits for all your work, and report violations to the Planning and Development Department (210-2915).
5. Protect your house with appropriate flood protection measures.
6. Purchase flood insurance coverage.