Floods and Tidal Waves Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Flood effects may be limited to a local event, affecting an individual community in low‐lying areas or adjacent to a river, or may be widespread, affecting entire river basins. Floods may occur within a matter of minutes (flash floods), or may develop slowly over a period of days. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away buildings, vehicles, and other structures in its path, occurring with little sign of the rainfall that initiated the event. Tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves or tidal waves, result from a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption, and occur with little if any warning. A tsunami can move hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and strike land with waves as high as 100 feet (or more).

In the event of a flood or tidal wave incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine the location of the risk, as well as the direction and the speed of the water's travel in order to evaluate the likely affected risk area.
3. Move personnel to high ground if possible. If remaining in buildings, utilities should be switched off and materials moved to the higher levels.
4. Centralize food, water, and other essential stores in an area that is protected from floodwater. Fill up bathtubs and containers with water at the start of a flood. Expect to be self‐reliant for several days.
5. Avoid areas that might channel floodwaters (e.g., low‐lying ground, wadis, riverbeds, valleys, etc.).
6. If time permits, use water barriers (e.g., sandbags, etc.) to seal doorjambs, cracks, windows, and the like to stop or slow water entering facilities.
7. Place indicators for emergency responders that personnel are trapped in buildings by using sheets, paint, and so on, stating numbers, casualties, and any support needed.
8. Monitor radio stations to track the event and its possible effects.
9. Avoid walking through moving water, as it can sweep personnel off their feet and disguise hidden hazards.
10. Avoid moving through flooded regions due to contamination and health hazards.
11. Do not drive through a flooded area, as it will disguise holes and hazards, and two feet of moving water can sweep vehicles downstream.
12. Drink only bottled or stored water; utilities may have been contaminated.
13. Be aware of secondary hazards: Pipelines (gas, water, sewer) may have been ruptured, power cables may have electrified water, and crime and health hazards may increase.
14. Implement other aspects of the IMP as appropriate.
15. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups