American Red Cross provides flash flooding preparedness tips
Heavy Rain in forecast with potential for flash flooding

[June 16, 2015]  CENTRAL ILLINOIS — With the potential for heavy rain in the forecast, the American Red Cross is urging people to be prepared for flash flooding by reviewing the following safety tips and downloading the free American Red Cross Emergency App.

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS)
   
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
   
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
   
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.
   
• 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. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
   
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Additional preparedness information is available on the American Red Cross Emergency app. The free Emergency app gives smart phone and tablet users instant access to customizable weather alerts, safety tips and preparedness information for 14 different emergencies, all in one free and easy to use app. It also allows users to customize more than 35 emergency alerts based on their location and where loved ones live. The content is available in English and Spanish. http://www. redcross.org/apps.

Additional tips for responding severe weather preparedness can be found at redcross.org/ prepare

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

[Trish Burnett, American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois]