Pennsylvania received significant rain, sleet and ice in the last week to ten days causing the National Weather Service to issue Flood Watches and Warnings for many parts of Pennsylvania, especially for small streams and rivers.

The major cause of deaths from flooding occurs when people try to drive their vehicles through standing water and get stranded and drown. The National Weather Service says "Turn Around, Don't Drown."

You can also check stream levels online for many streams in central and eastern Pennsylvania by going to the Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center and the Ohio River Forecast Center of the National Weather Service.

Pennsylvania weather information is available from the National Weather Service

If you are affected by flooding, you’ll find practical flood recovery tips online. Topics include: Advice on Disposing Flood Debris, Disinfection of Home Wells and Springs, Flood Recovery - Adding Energy Efficiency, Flood Recovery - Building Systems and Equipment Issues, Flood Recovery - Electric Motor and Appliances, Flood Recovery - Heating and Cooling Systems, Flood Recovery - Walls, Tips for Dealing with Flood Related Storage Tank Problems, and Tips for Safe Flood Cleanup

Thinking ahead to Spring, property owners may want to look into purchasing flood insurance now to prepare for later because flood damage is not covered by homeowners or business insurance policies. It has to be purchased separately.

Not sure if you’re covered? Contact your insurance agent or insurance company right away. It takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to become effective, so you can’t wait until the rain starts falling.

If you’re not sure if you’re in an area subject to flooding, contact your township, city or borough or your county emergency management office. There are maps available that show which areas can be flooded for all communities in Pennsylvania. And sometimes the answer isn’t always obvious.

For general information about flood insurance call the National Flood Insurance Program's toll-free information line at 1-800-427-4661 or visit the Department of Insurance Flood Insurance Guide online.

NewsClip: PEMA Reminds Residents to Protect Themselves from Flooding

1/14/2005