Ready PA Monthly - March 2024

Rubber duck floating in a flooded home. Links to Ready PA Blog.

What You Need to Know About Flood Insurance

Spring is just around the corner. Are you ready?
Each year, especially during the spring months, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) urges property owners to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their homes, businesses and possessions.

Flooding across the state is a common occurrence this time of year, and just one inch of rain can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.

So, who should purchase flood insurance? The short answer – everyone.
While hazard insurance and all it encompasses can be quite daunting, it’s important to understand the basics of flood insurance. PID is here to help you with that!

Click on the link below to read more...

Navigating Flood Alerts: Stay Safe & Prepared!

Navigating flood alerts is essential to ensuring our safety and readiness during unpredictable weather events. Understanding the significance of these alerts and knowing how to respond can make all the difference in safeguarding ourselves and our communities. Let's stay informed, prepared, and take measures to weather any flood-related challenges that may come our way.

Flood Watch: Get Ready!
A Flood Watch signals that conditions are ripe for potential flooding. While it doesn't guarantee flooding will happen, it indicates the possibility. Typically covering a large area, a Flood Watch is issued 12 to 24 hours before flooding is expected. This heads-up gives you crucial time to prepare and take necessary precautions.

Flood Warning: Act Now!
A Flood Warning means flooding is either happening or imminent. When you get this alert, take immediate action. Find safe shelter away from flood-prone areas. Acting fast can significantly reduce the risk of harm to yourself and others.

Understanding Flood Types:
Flooding (River)
River flooding occurs when water spills onto normally dry land, lasting for days or even weeks. Monitoring river levels and understanding floodplain maps are key to managing risks.

Flash Flooding
Flash flooding happens suddenly due to intense rainfall within a short period, usually less than six hours. Stay alert during heavy rainfall and heed warnings to avoid dangerous situations.

In today's changing climate, staying informed about flood alerts is crucial. By understanding Flood Watches, Flood Warnings, and different flood types, we can better prepare and protect our communities. Remember, preparedness saves lives – let's prioritize safety by staying vigilant and proactive in the face of flood risks.

Visit Ready PA to learn more, here.

To learn about Flood Awareness Week, visit the National Weather Service here.

Spring into Safety: Refresh Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

With spring just around the corner, we're gearing up for those longer, brighter days—although, yes, we do lose a bit of sleep with the annual clock change. But in the midst of the excitement of adjusting our schedules, let's not forget about something important: checking your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors!

With last weekend's time change, it is actually the perfect moment to give these life-saving devices a once-over. They're like our silent guardians, keeping our homes and loved ones safe from fire and carbon monoxide hazards. And just like any hero, they need a bit of TLC to keep them in tip-top shape. That means regular maintenance, like changing their batteries, to ensure they're ready to spring into action when we need them most.

So, take a few extra minutes to test those alarms. Press that little button and make sure they're loud and clear. If they're not, it's time for some fresh batteries.

Here's a quick checklist to help you stay safe:

Test Your Alarms. Press the test button on each alarm to ensure they emit a loud sound. If not, replace the batteries.
Replace Batteries Annually. Even without a low battery warning, change batteries yearly.
Consider Upgrading. If your alarms are over ten years old, upgrade to newer models for better reliability.
Install Alarms Smartly. Place smoke alarms on every floor, inside and outside bedrooms. Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and potential sources of CO.
Create an Evacuation Plan. Develop and practice a family evacuation plan. Everyone should know what to do in case of a fire or carbon monoxide emergency.

Let's make safety a priority this spring!

MARCH TIP SHEET: BEFORE A FLOOD - MAKE A PLAN

MARCH SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT

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