Be prepared for spring flooding

Photo courtesy of CBS Minnesota 3/9/2023

With all the snow we received this year, it comes as no surprise that there is a strong potential for flooding this spring. With warmer weather, longer days, and a variety of weather conditions that can result in heavy rain, flooding can be expected. Are you prepared?

While we typically do not see the same flash floods or dam failures as other states, Minnesota does have a history of flooding. Cities should have an established flood emergency response plan to minimize the potential impact to life and property. As with any plan, it should be “exercised” (even if it is just a desktop review) and updated as needed. Is your plan current?

The National Weather Service offers real-time river observation data across the United States. Monitoring water levels allows cities to determine the likelihood of flooding and enables prompt and accurate emergency flood response.

Another resource is FloodSmart.gov, which offers a variety of assessment tools, including a free hypothetical flood risk scenarios guide that can assist companies to better protect against financial losses due to flooding.

Does your city have a flood response plan?

Here are some things your flood response plan should address or consider:

1. Does the plan assess the risk potential in your area? If your city has experienced a lot of development, risk potential has likely changed as new drainage ditches may have been created, less area for ground saturation is available, and additional surface runoff has been created.
2. Is your plan up to date and are employees familiar with it?
3. Are any important documents, servers, etc. stored in the basement or at ground level? Be sure to review backup procedures.
4. Update employee contact lists with alternate contact information in the event evacuation is necessary. Remember: Contact lists and your recovery plan are of little use if all copies are kept in a location that is subject to flooding.
5. If evacuation is necessary, assign trained personnel to secure the premises and equipment (such as sandbagging and/or extending regulator vents and relief stacks above the level of anticipated flooding, as appropriate).
6. Continuously monitor the flood through various media outlets and weather tracking.
7. Does the plan include procedures to request that gas and electric services are turned off?
8. Communicate imminent flood status updates to supervisory personnel.
9. Deploy personnel so they will be in position to take emergency actions, such as shutdown, isolation, or containment in the event of emergency.
10. Ensure clean-up equipment is available, adequate, and ample. If clean-up will be done by employees, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required. OSHA requires PPE for cleanup operations if a water source is contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or other biological pollutants.
11. Does your plan consider obtaining portable pumps and hoses from local suppliers?
12. Unplug all electrical devices.
13. If applicable, identify, contract, and communicate with water damage specialist(s).
14. If applicable, determine if flooding can expose or undermine pipelines as erosion or scouring could have resulted.
15. If applicable, coordinate with emergency and spill responders on pipeline location(s) and condition, and provide maps and other relevant information to them.
16. If applicable, advise the State Pipeline Safety Office (for intrastate lines), or RSPA's Regional Pipeline Safety Office (interstate lines) prior to returning pipelines to service, increasing the operating pressure, or otherwise changing the operating status of the line.

Another great resource during any natural disaster is MnWARN. MnWARN it is a formal emergency response program consisting of a mutual aid agreement which provides emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, and materials if your water, wastewater, or storm water utilities are damaged due to any natural disaster, including a flood.

Stay tuned next week for considerations to follow during a flood and sandbag safety tips.

Submitted by: LMCIT Loss Control

Additional Resources

• For a sample plan - Flood Preparation, Response, and Recovery | Minnesota DNR 
• National Weather Service - Turn Around Don't Drown
• National Weather Service (NWS) -  Never  Drive or Walk Into Flood Waters - Turn Around Don't Drown PSA
• FEMA - Flood Elevation Determination Docket (FEDD) Checklist
• OSHA - Flood Preparedness and Response - Preparedness |Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
• Office of Pipeline Safety