Here’s what to pack in your flood emergency kit

Have these items on hand in your flood kit | Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

Southern California is currently bearing the brunt of a storm, with forecasters saying it could “still generate thunderstorms through Tuesday night… resulting in even higher rainfall rates and raising the risk of flooding.”

Flood warnings have been issued in several counties, including Los Angeles county. Both Los Angeles and Orange counties are now also in a state of emergency along with eight other counties. Several areas have also been issued evacuation warnings.

As “moderate to heavy rain” is still expected to fall throughout Southern California, it’s best to heed the local government’s warnings and be prepared.

An aerial view of the Los Angeles River swollen by storm runoff as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, continues to impact Southern California on February 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California | Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

In case of flood, be sure you’re ready to evacuate. Or if worse comes to worst, make sure you have an emergency kit ready in case you get stranded.

Here are the essentials you need to keep in mind when putting together your emergency flood kit.

Boots, raincoat, and umbrella

First thing’s first, you’ll want items that will keep you dry as the storm rages on. Durable knee-high rubber boots, a raincoat, and an umbrella are basics you need to keep with you.

Charger and/or power bank

Strong storms may also cause power outages. To make sure you can keep receiving updates from authorities as well as from your loved ones in the area, it’s important to keep your gadgets up and working. You’ll also be needing these in case you’ll need to reach out to emergency services and responders. Be sure to have the numbers saved on your phone.

Flashlight and whistle

These will be important in more dire emergency situations, especially if there’s a need to search for things or people who may be stranded. It will also help so that you can conserve the batteries of your gadgets.

Food and water

On days when it’s recommended to stay indoors, it’s best to have a ready stash of easy-to-open, ready-to-eat food that won’t expire easily. Also keep bottles of water at the ready as safe-to-drink water may be more difficult to come by in case of dire emergencies.

It’s best to have a ready stash of easy-to-open, ready-to-eat food that won’t expire easily

First aid kit

Your basic first aid kit should also be in your bag. Make sure it has the essentials in dealing with common injuries that you might sustain during emergency situations. Band-aids, gauze, elastic wrap bandages, cotton balls, scissors, safety pins, adhesive tape, rubbing alcohol, and face masks should be in your kit. It’s also important to pack essential medicines into your first aid kit, such as anti-allergy meds, antacids, and the like. Make sure that you regularly check the expiry dates of the medicines, too.

Clothes and toiletries

It will also be useful to have some spare clothes, underwear, and thermal wear in your emergency bag. Be sure to also include basic toiletries, like sanitary pads, tissue paper, soap, and toothpaste.