According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster. Some floods develop slowly during an extended period of rain or in a warming trend following a heavy snow. Flash floods can occur quickly, without any visible sign of rain. Catastrophic floods are associated with burst dams and levees, hurricanes, storm surges, tsunamis, and earthquakes. This paper discusses: (1) What flooding can do; (2) How to prevent or mitigate flood damage; (3) How to prepare for and respond to flood emergencies; and (4) How to recover from a flood. Schools as Emergency Shelters are appended. (Contains 1 footnote and 16 resources.)
- Authorizing Institution
- National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- Reports - Descriptive
- Published in
- United States of America
- Sponsor
- Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (ED)
Table of Contents
- 2011 1
- According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster. Some floods develop slowly during an extended period of rain or in a warming trend following a heavy snow. Flash floods can occur quickly, wit... 1
- Be prepared for flooding no matter where your school is located, but particularly if it is in a low-lying or coastal area, near water, or downstream from a dam. 1
- What Flooding Can Do 0F 1
- Structural damage. Foundations can be eroded, destabilizing or collapsing walls and heaving floors. 1
- Saturation damage. Saturated walls and floors can lead to plaster, drywall, insulation, and tile damage, mold and moisture problems, wood decay, and metal corrosion. 1
- Utility system damage. Electrical wiring and equipment can be shorted and their metal components corrode. Ductwork can be fouled and expensive heating and cooling equipment ruined. Oil storage tanks can be displaced and leak, polluting the areas aroun... 1
- Preventing or Mitigating Flood Damage 1
- Reducing or eliminating damage is difficult in schools not built to withstand flooding, but a number of practical measures may be undertaken: 1
- ■ Improve site drainage by re-grading, adding or enlarging storm drains or culverts, and, where the site permits, adding a storm water retention area. 1
- ■ Provide fail-safe backup power for sump pumps to keep them functioning during electrical outages. 1
- ■ Add, clean, or repair check valves in sewer lines to prevent sewage from backing up into the school. 1
- ■ Provide off-site computer backup storage for electronic school records. 1
- ■ When replacing mechanical and electrical equipment, devise ways of elevating or otherwise flood-proofing it. 1
- ■ If the school is multistory, consider relocating the library/media center to a higher floor. 1
- Plan what to do before, during, and after a flood. Think about which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to protect your school and keep it operating. 2
- Include flood preparedness in your school’s crisis plan. See Practical Information on Crisis Planning by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, and Mitigating Hazards in School Facilities by the National Clearinghouse... 2
- Refer to Severe Weather Planning for Schools for detailed information about preparing for and responding to floods and other weather emergencies. For anticipating and recovering from hurricane-related flooding, see the Council of Educational Facility ... 2
- Disaster Planning, Management, and Recovery Guide, http://www.cefpi.org/KatrinaRita/index.html 3
- Flood Damage Assessment: Procedures for Cleaning Out a House or Building Following a Flood, http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS075276 3
- Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings, 3
- http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/gulf-coast-recovery/additional-resources/flood_booklet.pdf 3
- Appendix A 4
- Schools as Emergency Shelters 4
