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- Flood Program
- Flood Emergency Preparedness
Visit the Portsmouth Emergency Operations Center page to get detailed information to assist you in preparing your family, property, and business for emergencies, natural or manmade, that may affect our community. You will find Storm Surge maps, Evacuation Routes, Emergency Shelters, Planning for Special Needs, and Recovery information on those pages.
It is important to make plans before the flood arrives. Your advanced plan should include the following (at a minimum):
If you are in your home when it begins to flood, move to the second floor or to the roof. Do not try to swim to safety; floodwaters can move very rapidly. If time permits, turn off all utilities, particularly electricity and gas, and board up windows. Bring outdoor possessions inside the house.
Turn Around. Don't Drown. If you are in a vehicle during a flood, do not drive into standing water. Two feet of water can cause most vehicles to float. A majority of deaths occur because the driver didn’t feel the water was that deep. If the vehicle stalls, abandon it.