Introduction and Assumptions:

A Flash Flood Warning is issued for flooding that normally occurs within six hours of heavy or intense rainfall. This results in small creeks and streams quickly rising out of their banks. It also results in urban flooding when storm water exceeds the sewer system’s capacity. Dangerous flooding in low-lying flood prone areas, especially streets, underpasses, and in areas near creeks and streams which develops very quickly and is a significant threat to life and/or property. Prior to a Flash Flood Warning, typically an Urban/Small Stream Flood Advisory is issued or a Flash Flood Watch.

Unlike our Severe Thunderstorms or Tornado warnings, flood warnings and watches are normally issued for extended periods of time. These warnings are normally issued for two to four hours, or longer. Even though rainfall may have subsided, flooding may persist for some time. The longer warning time allows for rainwaters to recede while keeping the public aware that flooding is still occurring and there is still a threat to life and/or property in the warned area.

Every situation is different. While this annex provides basic information and guidelines, the actual information and actions taken during an event may vary from those included in this document. University leadership should use this information as a basis for decisions that may be required to be made during a Flash Flood Warning.

Units with Assigned Responsibilities:

Emergency Manager

Building Emergency Coordinators

Communications and Marketing

Environmental Health and Safety

Physical Plant

University Police

Purchasing

Parking

National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues the flood watches and warning when they expect or are experiencing precipitation that may, or is exceeding, capacity of streams and sewers from carrying it to rivers. There are several types of watches and warnings that may be issued to warn the public:

All four types of watches and warnings are issued by the NEWS and are broadcast over the NOAA Weather Radios and distributed by Law Information Network of Kentucky (LINK) (to all police agencies including UofL Police) and local media.

Emergency Notification:

In order to communicate widely throughout the campus community, the UofL Alert system is typically used. Some Flash Flood warnings may pose no risk to any campus, while others may pose a significant risk. In the case of Flash Flooding, the judgment of Alert Administrators must initially be relied upon to determine if a UofL Alert is issued. It is ultimately the responsibility of high-level emergency management leadership (Police Chief, Assistant Police Chief, or the Emergency Manager) to make sure a UofL Alert is issued if conditions warrant.

University Police, the Office of Communications and Marketing, or the Department of Emergency Management will typically issue the emergency notification if conditions warrant. Typically, the emergency message should be:

“Flash Flood Warning, stay inside until further notice. If building is flooding move to higher floors. Do not walk through standing water.”

NOTE: Closing the campus would be a separate communication.

Information Distribution:

After the initial notification has taken place, the campus community will still need additional information. This information is important and may require additional activations of the UofL Alert System.

If further announcements are required and the situation is not life threatening, the university will use UofL Today as its mechanism to communicate pertinent information. The Office of Communications and Marketing is responsible for issuing and updating information. Examples of emails directing the university community to information in UofL Today are listed below:

Initial Notification Email:

There is a Flash Flood Warning for Louisville, and both the HSC and Belknap Campus are experiencing flooding. Classes are cancelled for the day and evening. Please stay inside your building and do not move outside until notified that it is safe. If your building is being flooded, move to higher floors, and notify Public Safety at 502-852-6111.

Update Email:

The flooding around HSC and Belknap Campuses continues to pose a risk to people even though the rain has stopped. Please continue to remain in your building until the water level recedes and you are notified that it is safe to leave the building.

A story on the flood, including a list of buildings involved and safety tips, is on UofL Today, http://louisville.edu/uofltoday.

Expiration Email:

The Flash Flood Warning has expired and the water on HSC and Belknap Campuses has receded. You may leave your building but remember to avoid standing water and if crossing streets, avoid manholes with missing covers.

A story on the flood, including a list of buildings involved and safety tips, is on UofL Today, http://louisville.edu/uofltoday.

Building/Unit/Department Actions:

University Police

University Police would retain its primary responsibility to respond to campus emergencies. As conditions warrant, University Police would assist in blocking streets and roadways to prevent vehicles from entering areas that are flooded. This should only be attempted if not putting the Officer at risk.

Non-Sworn Security Officers may be used to man traffic control points in support of any traffic control plan to prevent vehicle from entering flooded areas and in transporting barricades and other traffic control equipment from storage to areas where traffic is being limited. This should only be attempted if not putting the Officer at risk.

University Parking

University Parking would support the traffic control operations by both transporting barricades and other traffic control equipment and manning traffic control points to prevent vehicles from entering the flood area. This should only be attempted if not putting the Officer at risk. During an emergency, Parking Officers assigned to traffic control points would report directly to the Police Commander.

Physical Plant

Physical Plant staff would respond to building emergencies only if able to do so safely. Physical Plant (PP) staff should not risk walking or driving through standing water. If already in a building prone to flooding, PP staff should take appropriate actions to prevent water from entering the building. This should only be attempted if not putting the staff member at risk.

PP staff would also replace any manhole covers that were dislodged during the flood. If manhole covers were found to be missing, they would notify MSD to get replacements.

Once the Warning has expired and water has receded to allow moving through campus safely, PP staff should assess buildings in the flood area and report damage to the appropriate work control center.

Department of Environmental Health and Safety

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) would not have any roles during the actual flood, but after the water has receded DEHS would have several tasks. DEHS would assist PP in determining the level of damage caused to buildings by the flood. Any damage involving building materials suspected to be asbestos would be evaluated by DEHS. Additionally, DEHS would assess the condition of the Chemistry Department Stockroom. This area is prone to flooding and does pose unique risks that require DEHS assistance in the efforts to return to normal. The same holds true for any laboratory space or other area that is damaged if it involves chemicals, radioactive materials, or biological agents.

Purchasing

Purchasing would not have any roles during the actual flood, but after the water receded, they would support all operations by focusing on logistical issues. Purchasing would procure emergency supplies and equipment during the aftermath of the flood. Purchasing would also assist in the procurement of services required to return the university to normal.