Your home is flooded and you're called to state duty — are you prepared?

By Lt. Col. David May

Deputy Director of Domestic Operations

Odds are pretty good this year that we will experience flooding in Wisconsin.

If there is a silver lining, it is that state agencies, counties and municipalities have done a great deal of preparation for floods. The Wisconsin National Guard has been part of those preparations, including our own flood threat analysis, force package assignments — what combination of Guard members and equipment goes where — and planning in the event the National Guard is needed. Without a doubt, our partners in the emergency management community and the people of Wisconsin are counting on us if things get bad.

But if you get called to help fight floods, are you prepared? Will you be able to drop everything and comfortably leave your family behind as you report for duty? Consider:

·    How vulnerable is your home to a flood? Is flooding forecasted in your area? Are there roads and intersections nearby that often flood? Do you live in or near a flood plain? Have you considered flood insurance?

·    Do you have a go-kit? If so, what's in it? How about a weather radio programmed for your area?

·    Do you have a plan? If so, does everyone in your family know it, and are they ready to follow it?

·    How do you plan to stay informed?

Having problems answering any of these questions? Check out http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/, http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin and http://twitter.com/WI_EOC.

Being ready at home is key as we hope for the best and prepare for the worst. What have you done to get ready?