Swatara Township urges residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding on Wednesday, August 31 and Thursday, September 01 due to the remnants of Hurricane IDA reaching our area.  Rain is expected to begin this evening and persist through Thursday morning.  Please monitor weather reports and keep update. 

The Swatara Police provide the following tips in preparation and during this storm.  

PREPARATION:

Ensure access to clean drinking water and food that requires no refrigeration or cooking

Ensure enough medication and other needed medical supplies are on hand in proper quantity

Have a flashlight with extra batteries and a battery powered radio accessible 

Identify a place to go in case there is a need to evacuate and routes to that location that are not prone to flooding.  Also have a full gas tank in your vehicle

Discuss flood plans with your family and where you will meet if you become separated 

If you have pets have a plan to care for them

Disconnect electrical appliances and move valuable property and furniture to a higher level in your residence

DURING A FLOOD:

Monitor your surrounding as well as weather information on your television and radio

Don't drive, unless you have too.  If you do drive use caution

Avoid disaster areas or areas where roads have been closed

NEVER drive through standing water and flooded roadways (STOP TURN AROUND AND DON'T DROWN).  You can lose control of your vehicle in only a few inches of water.  Your vehicle can be swept away in less then 2 feet of water

Don't drive around barricades, turn around 

If you car stalls in water, abandon it.  If water rises around your car, leave it immediately and get to higher ground

Never try to walk or swim through flowing water and don't let children play around high water or creeks and streams.  

The Swatara Township Police, Fire-Rescue and Emergency Management Agency will be working non stop to keep our residents safe during this storm.  Please do your part to keep yourself and your family safe and report any emergencies immediately.