IX. PUBLIC DISSEMINATION

The first response of many people when they hear a warning is to try to confirm it from another source. Therefore, it is very important that all public dissemination messages present the same information. The messages in this Section are written to insure that the same information is given from all possible sources.

This Section contains two types of messages: 1) messages to be broadcast to the public and the media; and 2) messages to be used by emergency vehicles circulating through the floodplain or by existing public address systems. The messages are written in fill-in-the-blank format. Information to fill in the blanks will be provided by local authorities from Jefferson County, Arvada or both.

CITIZEN ALERT MESSAGE A1

The following message is to be used by public information officers when the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR

(geographic area)

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS FLOODING IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA ARE ADVISED TO CHECK PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS, KEEP INFORMED, AND BE READY FOR QUICK ACTION IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED.

CITIZEN ALERT MESSAGE A2

The following message is to be used if the National Weather Service has not issued a Flash Flood Watch but the Local Governments feel that flash flooding is possible:

PERSONNEL

(local government agency or agencies)

HAVE DETERMINED THAT A FLASH FLOOD IS POSSIBLE WITHIN

(geographic area)

PERSONS WITHIN THIS AREA ARE ADVISED TO CHECK PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS, KEEP INFORMED, AND BE READY FOR QUICK ACTION IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED.

CITIZEN ALERT MESSAGE B

The following message is to be used if a decision has been made to warn people in the floodplain to evacuate:

THE WARNS THAT

(responsible agency)

FLOODING WILL BEGIN AT AT

(location)

APPROXIMATELY .

(estimated time) (person in authority)

HAS URGED EVERYONE IN THE FLOOD HAZARD AREAS TO EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. PERSONS EVACUATING THE AREA SHOULD MOVE AWAY FROM THE CREEK. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OUT-RUN A FLOOD IN YOUR CAR OR TRUCK. DISPLACED PERSONS SHOULD GO TO

of flooding or heavy rainfall.) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS A FLOODED CREEK ON FOOT OR IN YOUR VEHICLE.

SUPPLEMENTAL (check appropriate statements):

DO NOT ENTER BARRICADED AREAS.

ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WATER RISES ABOVE THE ROAD ON WHICH YOU ARE DRIVING.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN A MOUNTAIN CANYON, ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CLIMB TO HIGH GROUND.

EMERGENCY VEHICLE AND PUBLIC ADDRESS MESSAGE

The following message is to be used over existing public address systems and by emergency vehicles circulating in the floodplain:

THIS IS .

(emergency service agency)

FLOODING WILL BEGIN AT AT

(location)

APPROXIMATELY .

(estimated time) (person in authority)

HAS URGED EVERYONE IN THE FLOOD HAZARD AREAS TO EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. PERSONS EVACUATING THE AREA SHOULD MOVE AWAY FROM THE CREEK. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OUT-RUN A FLOOD IN YOUR CAR OR TRUCK. DISPLACED PERSONS SHOULD GO TO

. (Add any confirmed reports

(place)

of flooding or heavy rainfall.) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS A FLOODED CREEK ON FOOT OR IN YOUR VEHICLE.

SUPPLEMENTAL (check appropriate statements):

DO NOT ENTER BARRICADED AREAS.

ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WATER RISES ABOVE THE ROAD ON WHICH YOU ARE DRIVING.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN A MOUNTAIN CANYON, ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CLIMB TO HIGH GROUND.