Flood recovery tips

Key phone numbers, websites:

» Major road closings: Dial 511 or visit www.safetravelusa.com.

» Nebraska flood hot line: 888-656-6045. Hot line operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. (State officials ask that you not call this number for road reports, but instead dial 511.)

» Nebraska state flood website: www.dhhs.ne.gov/SevereStorms.

» Social services and personal assistance: Dial 211 or 402-444-6666

» Drinking water testing: 402-471-3935

» Sewage overflows: www.deq.state.ne.us/

» Flood stages on area rivers: http://water.weather.gov

» To sign up for river level warnings, go to http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert/

Ten things to know:

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services offers this advice when entering a flood recovery area:

1. Wait until authorities declare a flood zone safe. Wear boots and gloves. Watch for downed electrical wires and debris. Check with a doctor about a tetanus shot.

2. Make sure water is safe to drink.

3. Make sure food is safe to eat.

4. Electrical current can travel through water, so avoid downed power lines or wading in standing water.

5. Watch for structural damage. Look for signs of undermining, cave-ins, shifting or collapse.

6. Be careful pumping out a basement. Try to pump out no more than about a third of the water each day. If water is pumped too quickly, walls may fall in or floors push up because of the sudden release of pressure.

7. Disinfect your home or business.

8. Don't let kids play in flood-affected areas or with toys that haven't been properly disinfected.

9. Wash hands frequently with soap and uncontaminated water.

10. Prevent mosquito bites.

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