Flooding is one of the most common and most destructive disasters in the United States. Floods can happen anywhere, and sometimes without warning.
There are some important things to remember when facing a flooding disaster in your area:
Stay tuned to local news on the television and radio. Keep in touch with family members, neighbors, and friends. If your home is threatened, gather your important belongings and always listen and follow the directions from local emergency personnel (sheriff, police, fire/rescue, emergency management).
If you are told to evacuate, DO SO! Evacuate out of the danger area to a shelter, friend's house, family, or a hotel. Tell your family and friends where you are evacuating to. Take important items with you, including medicine, medical records, food, clothing, cash, insurance documents, and other items. Do not leave your pets. If you are going to a shelter, take bedding and food with you and tell the shelter that you are a dialysis or kidney transplant patient.
Do not drive or walk though standing water. You have no idea how deep the water is or how fast it is moving. As little as six inches of water can carry away a vehicle or knock you off your feet. Remember, "Turn around, don't drown!"
If you are on dialysis, remember that your dialysis facility has a disaster plan. Contact your facility and find out where else you can get your treatments if your unit is closed due to flooding or you are unable to reach your facility because the roads are shut down or you evacuated out of the area.
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition develops and disseminates preparedness materials for the kidney community. KCER is actively monitoring the current Midwest storms and flooding situation in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Nebraska.
To find and open or closed dialysis facility, go to www.dialysisunits.com. Dialysis providers should notify their local ESRD Network if there are any changes in status.
If your community needs assistance or information on dialysis and kidney transplant operations in your area, contact your local providers or your local ESRD Network.
To find your local ESRD Network, visit http://www.esrdncc.org/
To contact the KCER Coalition, email KCER@nw7.esrd.net or visit our website for information - http://www.kcercoalition.com/.
For important flooding information, visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm
