Spring flood: what to do? (tips from the Ministry of Emergency Situations)

Spring is coming soon. The ice will gradually begin to melt, the snow cover will "melt" under the sun's rays. However, with the end of winter, floods are possible in some areas, which must be prepared for in advance.

How to act in such an emergency situation?

Flooding is a seasonal phenomenon when the river level rises due to rapid snowmelt. Proper actions in advance are a good guarantee that the flood will cause minimal damage to your home and property. Valuable items that may be flooded should be moved from the first floor of your home. Just in case, pack an "emergency bag" – it should contain only the most necessary items – documents, money, food, and medicine.

What to do if the critical moment arrives?

In any emergency situation, it is very important to remain calm and not panic. Keep your "emergency bag" or the most necessary items in a plastic bag nearby, leave the flooded area as quickly as possible. If this is not possible, go up as high as you can, to the upper floors. If the house is single-story, try to get to the attic. Signal rescuers so they can see you. Before leaving the house, turn off the electricity and gas supply, and close windows and doors tightly. Gather yourselves and provide assistance first to children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

In spring, besides floods, meltwater flooding of ordinary yards also causes a lot of trouble. What to do in such a situation?

The more snow there is and the hotter the sun shines, the faster the ice will turn into water. Therefore, the first thing to do is to clear the snow near your house and break the ice so that spring streams do not accumulate into huge puddles. Your best ally in case of meltwater runoff is drainage and storm ditches. You need to make sure that there are no obstacles for the gurgling stream: garbage, branches, and ice. Help elderly neighbors. Don't forget about parents in villages.

In case of an emergency, call 101, 112.