According to the National Secretariat for Risk Management, the provinces with the highest risk of flooding are Manabí, Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos, Esmeraldas, Sucumbíos, Bolívar, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Ask your neighbors if flooding is common in the area where you are located. Below, we explain how you can prepare for a flood
Before
- Fill containers with clean water , in case tap water becomes contaminated.
- Move valuables items to a high place where water cannot reach them.
- Identify an ↪️ evacuation route, and other alternative routes.
- Keep the emergency bag at hand.
- Keep food , water and clothes in a good safe place
- Place important documents in a plastic bag so they won’t be destroyed by water.
- Keep a flashlight at hand and make sure it has batteries
- Keep a radio to be informed about the emergency and possible instructions.
- Turn off electricity , water and gas ⛽ and evacuate if needed or if authorities ask people to do so.
During
- If needed, ✅ or if authorities ask people to do so, evacuate as soon as possible.
- Keep an eye on the directions given by radio or television .
- ⛔ Do not go near cables or light poles.
- Find a safe place ✅ like a school or church.
- ✅ If you need to change places, just take what you need.
- ⛔ Do not walk near the water since the level can rise quickly.
- ⛔ Don’t try to cross riverbeds, water carries many things like logs or objects that can hit you hard.
After
- ⛔ Don’t go back home until the authorities say you can do so.
- ⛔ Don’t go near buildings, they may collapse.
- Clean dangerous substances such as medicines or gasoline.
- ⛔ Do not touch or step on fallen power cables.
- ⛔ Do not eat food that has been touched by flood water.
- ⛔ Do not mobilize the wounded, it is better to ask specialized people to provide this kind of help.
- Listen to the radio or watch TV for getting information about the emergency and possible instructions