Jackson –

Mississippi is prone to seasonal flooding, and the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when floods threaten.

“By preparing together for floods, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said Bob Devaney, emergency services director. “We can help you and your family create a flood preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by excessive rainfall.”

The National Weather Services has issued flood watches across the state. Some flooding is already occurring along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for floods with these safety tips.

• Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.
• Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents and other emergency items for the whole family.
• Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information.  A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A food WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. 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.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of severe weather events in Mississippi by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. To make contributions, donate online at www.mississippi-redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to any of the local Red Cross Offices in Mississippi.

For more information on flood preparedness, please contact your local Red Cross office through www.mississippi-redcross.org, find us on Facebook by searching “Red Cross Mississippi” or follow us on Twitter @RedCrossMiss. We urge you to share these Red Cross flood preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time.