A Flood Survival Guide
The Connecticut Shoreline is susceptible to flooding, making it crucial to prepare for the safety of your pets. Thankfully, we can protect our pets from a flash flood or coastal flooding with proper planning and preparation. Today, we’re discussing keeping Connecticut Shoreline pets safe in a flood. We’ll provide tips that will keep you and your pet thriving no matter what Mother Nature sends our way!
Flash Flood vs. Coastal Flooding
While both flash floods and coastal flooding pose significant risks, they differ in their causes, speed of onset, and impact areas. Living in a coastal community like the CT Shoreline, we have to be aware of both types of flooding and prepared to be impacted by either after large storms and/or excess rain.
Flash Flood
- Cause: Rapid and intense rainfall overwhelming the ground’s ability to absorb water.
- Speed of onset: Very rapid, often with little to no warning.
- Impact areas: Typically inland areas, such as canyons, valleys, and urban areas with poor drainage.
- Characteristics: Sudden rise of water levels, often with strong currents and debris.
Coastal Flooding
- Cause: Combination of high tides, storm surge (pushed by strong winds), and heavy rainfall.
- Speed of onset: Can be rapid, especially with storm surge, but often develops over hours.
- Impact areas: Coastal regions, including beaches, low-lying areas, and coastal communities like those we serve in the CT Shoreline.
- Characteristics: Inundation of coastal areas, often accompanied by high waves and erosion.
Key Differences Between Flash Floods & Coastal Flooding
- Timing: Flash floods occur rapidly, while coastal flooding often has more build-up time and allows for better preparation from residents
- Location: Flash floods primarily affect inland areas, while coastal flooding impacts coastal regions.
- Causes: Flash floods are primarily caused by heavy rain, while coastal flooding is a combination of factors.
It’s important to note that both types of flooding can be deadly and cause significant damage. Always heed flood warnings and evacuate if instructed.
When a Flood Threatens the CT Shoreline
Whether it’s a flash flood or coastal flooding, it’s important to always be prepared for the unexpected. Read our latest blog about power outages and pets to help you build your pet emergency kit and navigate the details that will make all the difference during power outages. And, follow these tips to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being:
- Know Your Flood Risk: Many localities have an online search engine that allows you to see if your home is in a flood zone. Check out Old Saybrook Center’s Flood Map here.
- Identification: Ensure your pet is wearing a collar with updated identification tags. We recommend microchipping your pet as an additional safety measure, especially because microchipping is permanent whereas collars and tags can fall off.
- Documentation: Gather your pets’ most recent rabies vaccine certificate and your dog license registration details and place them in a plastic sealing bag or other waterproof protector. Keep them somewhere handy in case you have to grab them and evacuate unexpectedly. For an added layer of accessibility, take smartphone photos of your pet’s docs and email them to yourself to access from another location, if needed.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare a pet emergency kit that includes essential supplies such as food, water, medications, first aid supplies, a carrier, leash, and a recent photo of your pet.
- Evacuation Plan: Develop an evacuation plan that includes your pets. Identify pet-friendly shelters and hotels in advance. Practice evacuation drills with your family and pets.
- High-Ground Location: If possible, identify a safe, high-ground location where you can relocate your pets during a flood. For Connecticut shoreline residents, this might be a designated emergency shelter or a friend or family member’s inland home.
- Bring Pets Indoors: Pets should never be left outdoors during flood warnings. Please bring all pets indoors as soon as a weather emergency is announced.
During the Storm
While some storms come out of nowhere, most storms allow for planning. Based on the information and forecasts, storms usually provide time for your family to either shelter in place or evacuate. If, however, once the storms hits, things change, consider the following:
- Evacuate: If ordered to evacuate, take your pets with you. Never leave them behind. Connecticut’s coastal areas often experience rapid flooding, so it’s essential to evacuate promptly.
- Secure Pets: If evacuation is not possible, move pets to the highest level of your home. If securing them in a carrier or crate – to prevent them from going into the flooded areas of the home – place crates and carriers on the highest sturdy surface you can find. Ideally, keep doors to lower levels closed so that you do not have to secure your pets in a crate or carrier and consider using harnesses and leashes instead.
- Stay with Your Pets: During the storm, set up a safe room to weather the storm together with your family and pets. Moving into one room on your home’s top level ensures that you can all be together if something suddenly goes south. If necessary, move mattresses to the floor or use inflatable mattresses in your designated safe space.
- Stay Calm: Your pet can sense your emotions. Stay calm and reassure your pet to help reduce their anxiety.
After the Storm
Once things are under control in the area and you can assume that it’s safe to resume life as usual, keep the following steps in mind:
- Clean Up Carefully: Be cautious when cleaning up flood damage. Many household cleaning products can be harmful to pets. Watch for mold and have it remediated for both your health and your family’s.
- Prevent Disease: Be aware of potential waterborne diseases that can affect pets. Consult with your veterinarian for preventive measures and keep an eye on local news for water quality reports.
- Avoid Debris and Down Power Lines: You may be desperate to get outside after sheltering in place but it’s important to stay indoors until crews have cleaned up debris and down power lines, especially if you have a dog.
- Lost Pets: If your pet is lost, contact local shelters, animal control, and veterinarians immediately. Post flyers with your pet’s photo and contact information. Additionally, check with local animal rescue organizations and social media groups for lost and found pets.
Connecticut-Specific Tips:
- Register Your Pet: Consider registering your pet with the Connecticut State Department of Agriculture’s Pet Identification Program. This can aid in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
- Know Your Local Resources: Familiarize yourself with local emergency management plans and pet-friendly shelters in your area. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection can provide valuable information.
Remember, early preparation is key to protecting your pet during a Connecticut flood. By following these guidelines and utilizing available resources, you can increase your pet’s chances of survival and reunite with them safely.
At Shoreline Happy Paws, we take weather emergencies and inclement weather protocols very seriously. When you hire our team, you hire us rain or shine. If weather threatens the area, we will be in touch to discuss scheduled visits and how accessibility may impact visit times. Working together with our clients during storms, floods, and power outages ensures the pets in our care get the attention they need while maintaining our staff and the community at large safe during dangerous weather conditions.
We are accepting new dog walking and dog hiking clients! New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your pet(s) up for success. Existing clients may book dog walking and pet sitting services by logging in to your client profile.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
