Flooding Tips
Floods can happen quickly, sometimes without warning. Learn how to be safe and protect your home or business with our tips and links below.
Basic Flood Safety Tips
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
If you approach a flooded road, path, or walkway follow this rule: 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.
Links
- Learn what to do before, during & after a flood by visiting: www.ready.gov/floods
- Make a Flood Safety plan with your family. Get tips & info.
- Make sure your business has a Flood Safety plan. Don’t let your business end up in a dumpster.See FEMA’s Tips for businesses.
- Floods occur in every U.S. state. Make sure your family is prepared & take action: See more tips on flood safety
- Charge mobile devices. Locate flashlights & radio. Tell friends/family your location in case of power loss.
- Heavy rain to areas that have been experiencing drought can cause flash flooding. Learn how to prepare for any emergency at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
Contact Us
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Emergency Preparedness
Lee Cornwell
Emergency Manager
301-809-3079
View our Emergency Preparedness Guide or request a mailed copy of the Guide.
Alert Bowie
Una Cooper
Communications Manager
Ph: 301-809-3032
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Contact information for utilities serving Bowie:
BGE
Power outages: 1 877-778-2222
Downed wires 1 800-685-0123
City of Bowie Water Service
301-262-6200
Comcast
1 800-934-6489
Verizon
1 800-483-7988
Washington Gas Emergencies
1 800-752-7520
WSSC Emergencies
301-206-4002