Spring means all this snow and ice should be melting, right? RIGHT?!? Unfortunately, all that water at once can lead to flooding. Sometimes floods develop slowly and forecasters can anticipate where a flood will happen days or weeks before it occurs. Oftentimes flash floods can occur within minutes and sometimes without any sign of rain. Being prepared can save your life and give you peace of mind.

It is good practice to have enough food, water and medicine on hand at all times to last you at least 3 days in the case of an emergency. Water service may be interrupted or unsafe to drink and food requiring little cooking and no refrigeration may be needed if electric power is interrupted. You should also have batteries, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery operated radio easily available.

Know your risks, and prepare your home. You may be evacuated, so pack in advance. Don’t wait until the last moment to gather the essentials for yourself, your family and/or your pets. Make sure your cell phone and portable radios are all charged in case you lose power or need to evacuate. Also make sure you have back-up batteries on hand. Hand-crank devices are also an option. If it is likely your home will flood, don’t wait to be ordered to leave; evacuate yourself! Make alternative plans for a place to stay. If you have pets, take them with you or make arrangements to board them at a facility well away from the flooding danger.

During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television outlets. Avoid flood waters at all costs and evacuate immediately when water starts to rise. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

When flood waters recede, the damage left behind can be devastating and present many dangers. Images of flood destruction depict destroyed homes and buildings, damaged possessions, and decimated roadways. However, what you can’t see can be just as dangerous. Floodwaters often become contaminated with sewage or chemicals. Gas leaks and live power lines can be deadly, but are not obvious at first glance. Go to the NWS Flood Safety Pages for more on how to stay informed and safe.

OK, now that we’ve done our bit to help keep you safe, it’s time for our next installment of Disaster Movie Showcase! There aren’t as many flood movies, at least not ones that are purely for entertainment, but these offerings still give us the disaster movie thrill. Which one sends the most cheesy-thrills up your spine? Vote for your favs below, then CLICK HERE to get your tickets for the new film NOAH, starring Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson, Ray Winstone and Jennifer Connelly, coming to theaters March 28. (After you see Noah, share your Instant Review by recording on your phone your thoughts on the flick right after you see it, and share it with us on Facebook!)

Hard Rain (1998)

In the worst storm in living memory, one guard stands between five men and three million dollars. Christian Slater, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver

Flood (2007)

Timely yet terrifying, The Flood predicts the unthinkable when a raging storm coincides with high seas it unleashes a colossal tidal surge, which travels mercilessly down England’s East Coast. Robert Carlyle, Jessalyn Gilsig,

Killer Flood: The Day the Dam Broke (2003)

An architect and his son become trapped inside a dam that is about to burst. Joe Lando

Flood: A River’s Rampage(1998)

After heavy rain, the Mississippi is breaking it’s banks flooding small towns. Richard Thomas

Flood! (1976)

After several weeks of heavy rainfall, the dam above Brownsville is short from running over. However the mayor refuses to open it’s gates, because he fears for the fishes in the lake… and paves the way for disaster. Robert Culp, Carol Lynley

Evan Almighty (2007)

God contacts Congressman Evan Baxter and tells him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood. Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham

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