How to prepare you and your family for flooding

By KOB

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico is deploying all available resources to alleviate flood danger in fire-affected communities, which are advised to operate under a ‘Prepare, Watch, Warning’ flood warning system.

Communities on and downstream from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon, McBride and Cerro Pelado fires, especially, are familiar with the ‘Ready, Set, Go’ system used for wildfires – and the ‘Prepare, Watch, Warning’ system is similar. Here are the steps:

PREPARE

  • Monitor TV, radio, reliable social media channels and phones for real-time weather
  • Ensure your phone is enabled to receive emergency alerts
  • Identify higher ground
  • Plan your evacuation route(s)
  • Call 800-432-2080 if you know you will need assistance, should an evacuation be needed (e.g., elderly, disabled, no transportation)
  • Have an emergency supply kit ready to go with enough supplies to last each family member at least three days, including:
    Food and water, Change of clothes, Important documents, Medicine, Pet supply needs

WATCH

  • Place all identified items in vehicles for preparation for evacuations
  • Follow local media, local flooding alerts and county emergency notifications

WARNING

  • Evacuate immediately if told to do so by local officials
  • If evacuation isn’t possible, seek higher ground – walk upslope or get on the roof, if necessary
  • Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways on foot or in a vehicle.
    If you come across a flooded roadway, turn around and search for higher ground.

If you feel it is time to evacuate, do so immediately. Conditions may change rapidly so it’s important, especially if you are in the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon area, to check the map about your flood notification status and enable alerts on your phone:

Turning on alerts for your iPhone

  1. Tap ‘Settings’ and then ‘Notifications’
  2. Scroll to ‘Government Alerts’ at the bottom of the screen
  3. Check that ‘Emergency Alerts’ and ‘Public Safety Alerts’ are turned on

Turning on your alerts for your Android phone

  1. In ‘Settings’, find ‘Apps and Notifications’
  2. Tap ‘Notifications’
  3. Turn on ‘Allow Alerts’
  4. Make sure each alert type is enabled

Additionally, if you’re on the go, the KOB 4 Weather App is also available for free on the App Store and the Google Play Store.

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