Urban Hazards

Urban hazards can be almost anything. Survey your jurisdiction and picture what it would be like if it were completely covered with water. Common urban hazards rescuers will encounter during flash flooding or flood management include:

• Structures, vehicles, road signs, parking meters, Jersey barriers, guard rails, fences, trash containers, and posts
• Utility (electric and gas) overhead lines, meters, and residential and commercial electrical systems
• Intake pipes, culverts, and manholes
• Flow diversion structures (sluiceways)
• Industrial hazards (Hazmat) such as chemicals from industry, petroleum products, sewage, vapors, and other containments. Entering any flooded waterway exposes rescuers to these containments.
  • Wear mission-specific PPE.
  • Decontaminate personnel and equipment.
  • Take a Hazmat course to understand the risks and hazards.