County announces February flood workshops

A year after a record winter, Douglas County is hosting two public workshops seeking input on the county’s stormwater master plan.

“Flooding has a widespread impact on the entire community in Douglas County, ranging from road closures and school shutdowns to delayed emergency vehicle responses,” said Public Information Officer Eric Cachinero. “The repercussions extend beyond individual neighborhoods, affecting the entire region.”

The workshops are 5-7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Kahle Community Center in Stateline and 5-7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Douglas County Community and Senior Center in the Dining Room in Gardnerville.

“I look forward to sharing our vision of stormwater management during these workshops,” said Douglas County Stormwater Program Manager Courtney Walker. “Floods can affect all of us, even if our homes or businesses aren’t directly flooded. The continuous gathering of new information contributes to enhancing preparedness and mitigation for future flooding scenarios.”

Douglas County has experienced a series of severe floods over the years, and we urge the public to examine how they fit into the flood equation.

FLOOD TIPS

Ready.gov provides the following tips for residents to act before, during, and after a flood:

Before

Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding.

Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash-flood response.

Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

Purchase or renew flood insurance.

During

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 floodwater.

After

Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

Avoid driving except in emergencies.

Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.

Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.

Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery only outdoors and away from windows