Clay County officials are putting flood plans together and county residents should do the same, Bryan Green said Tuesday.
"People need a family preparedness plan," said Green, Clay County's emergency management director.
He said the plan should answer several questions:
- If you have to evacuate, where are you going to go?
- What do you need to take?
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- What will you do with your pets?
- If you are stuck in your home, will you have adequate supplies of food and water?
- If you are on medication, do you have enough to last what could be days of isolation?
Green said anyone who thinks they will need flood insurance should get it now, because there is a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect.
He said Sabin has already held a community flood meeting and another is planned for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Georgetown (Minn.) Community Center.
Green said the Buffalo River is always an unknown when it comes to spring floods because overland flooding has been serious and unpredictable in recent years.
He advised county residents to sign up for the CodeRed alert system, either by going to the county's website, or by calling the Clay County Sheriff's Department at (218) 299-5151.
CodeRed users receive phone alerts specific to flash flood, tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
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Green said Clay County officials plan to meet next week with representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss what type of dike work and other resources may be needed leading up to a spring flood.
