Emergencies
Floods
During potential floods, the Management Office will monitor hazards. The office will attempt to notify you in as timely a manner as possible.
If a flood is eminent or predicted:
- If time allows, remove as much equipment as possible from your floor and place it on your desktop or a high shelf. Unplug any electrical equipment as well.
- If a flood is predicted, you will be instructed by the Fire Warden to evacuate the building. Do not use the elevators. Proceed as quickly as possible to your car.
- You will not be required to evacuate during a flood. If you feel you will be safer inside the building, you may remain, however, you must proceed to the designated floor.
Once the flood begins:
Once water begins filling up the streets and buildings, employees will be strongly urged to stay in the building (of course no one will force you to stay). If you choose to stay, follow the instructions below.
- If time allows, remove as much equipment as possible from your floor and place it on your desktop or a high shelf. Unplug any electrical equipment as well.
- Proceed to an upper floor in the building. Close all doors but do not lock them. Do not use the elevators.
- Wait out the flood. Do not use any electrical equipment. Do not light fires or burn anything. Do not use the telephone unless it is an emergency.
- If you are trapped on a floor with water entering, place a piece of clothing or other signal outside a window, alerting authorities of your situation.
- Avoid stepping in the water. Downed power lines in nearby water could cause serious injury or death.
After the water recedes:
- Once the water has receded, you may proceed out of the building. Do not use the elevators, they may have been damaged during the flood.
- Take notice of downed power lines and other dangers that may have been caused by the flood.
- If the engine of your car was flooded, the car may not start.
Safety tips:
If you choose to leave the building and drive, here are a few tips that may be helpful during a flood.
- Never drive into a pond of water. Most cars will not make it through a pond of water that is higher than half the height of the wheels.
- Should your car get stuck in water, leave the car and head for higher ground.
- Be very careful of downed power lines. The water you are about to step into could shock you.
- Stay as far away from the river as possible. Never drive toward a large body of water during a flood emergency.