Flooding
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop slowly, or flash floods can come with no warning. Know your flood risk and be prepared.
- Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
- Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
- Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
- Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising flood water.
How Do I Know If I Live in a Floodplain?
Approval by the local community Floodplain Administrator is required before construction or development begins within any Special Flood Hazard Area. If FEMA has not defined the Special Flood Hazard Area within a community, the community shall require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community including the placement of manufactured homes, so that it may determine whether such construction or other development is proposed within flood-prone areas.
Approval by the local community Floodplain Administrator is required to ensure that proposed development projects meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and the community’s floodplain management ordinance.
The table below provides the Floodplain Administrator or floodplain management point of contact information for the 104 New Mexico communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Please contact your community floodplain point of contact with questions about permitting and regulations.
Flood Insurance Information
The best way to protect your home and recover from flood damages is with flood insurance. The basic homeowner’s insurance policy does not usually cover flood damages. Contact your insurance agent to secure a flood insurance policy today.
Resources
Sandbag Information
Sandbags are a resource used to mitigate the flash flood and debris damages to homes and people. Here are some sandbag tips from the U.S. Army Cops of Engineers:
How much do I fill my sandbag?
Typically, sandbags are filled about halt to two thirds full and do not need to be tied. They can be tied loosely near the top. Bags should be able to lay flat when placed.
How should I stack my sandbags?
- The bags should be placed lengthwise and overlapped, like bricks, parallel to the direction of the river or water flow. Any stack more than two sandbags tall should be built like a pyramid with a wide base.
- For stability, the stack should be kept as short and low as possible. Compact each sandbag in place by stepping or walking on it. Make sure the bag is snugly butted against the next bag.
Where should I place my sandbags?
- Sandbags should also be used in front of doorways/roller doors and brickwork vents. Most standard homes and buildings on a concrete slab can be protected with between 25-40 sandbags.
- However, consideration should be given to placing the closure in such a way as to allow for you to leave in case of an emergency.
Sandbags are basically for low-flow protection of up to about four feet high. - Sandbags will not totally seal out water. Know your early flood warning systems and evacuate immediately if told to do so by officials.
- Sandbagging Instructions to Protect Your Home from Flood Waters
Resources
- Prepare for Flooding Now
- PREPÁRESE AHORA PARA INUNDACIONES REPENTINAS
- National Weather Service Flood Safety
- National Weather Service: Turn Around Don’t Drown Program
- Hermit’s Peak / Calf Canyon Post-Fire Resource Hub
- Sandbag Tips Flyer
- Consejos sobre bolsas de arena (SPA Sandbag Flyer)
- Living in a Floodplain
