Flood Information

Basic Safety Tips

  • Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
  • Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.

  • Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.

  • If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.

  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

 

 

     

 

     

 

 

Prepare for a Flood

  • Know the types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center for information.
  • Sign up for Morton County's CodeRED Emergency Notification System by clicking here. The Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
  • If flash flood is a risk in your location, then monitor potential signs, such as heavy rain or rapidly increasing river levels.  
  • Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response.
    • Click here for a guide on evacuation preparedness..
  • Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately, or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person's specific needs, including medication. Don't forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
  • Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. It typically trakes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect and can protect the life you've built. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
  • Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
    • For more information on sump pumps, click here.

 

 

 

Attached Document or FileNDSU Extension Agent - Flood Information
Attached Document or FileHow To Put Together a Go Kit (Document)
Attached Document or FileSo You Live Behind a Levee! (Guide)
Attached Document or FileSandbagging - How to Properly Sandbag (Document)
Attached Document or FileBuilding and Expedient Sandbag Filling Device (Bill of Materials)
Attached Document or FilePropane Safety During Flooding (Brochure)
Attached Document or FilePlugging Household Drains (Document)
Attached Document or FileSump Pump Questions (Document)
Attached Document or FileSeptic Systems and Flooding (Document)
Attached Document or FileSteps to Reduce Flood and Water Damage (Document)