Be Ready Utah: protecting important documents from flooding

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Emergency Management reminds residents to take protective measures against flooding as Utah’s record-breaking snowpack melts into spring runoff. 

Wade Mathews with the Division of Emergency Management joins Dave and Dujanovic to discuss protecting important documents from flooding and the upcoming Great Utah Shakeout. 

Dujanovic began the conversation with Mathews by asking if censors that detect flooding are worthwhile for homeowners to buy. 

“That’s a great suggestion and that’s something I haven’t thought of before,” Mathews replied. “We’re doing that on a larger scale with funding we received from the state, installing cameras to monitor flood areas of concern, but on a homeowners basis, that’s a great idea.”

Dave brings up a concern when flooding occurs, and that’s where homeowners store important documents. 

“Those documents are one of the things you definitely want to plan to protect. And putting them in plastic waterproof containers is going to be better than a cardboard box or sitting on a shelve,” Mathews responds to Dave. 

He also suggests beginning the process of digitizing essential documents. 

“Scan them into the computer. Use your cell phone and take photos of the pages.” 

Ensure that the containers you use for important documents are certified against water damage. 

Great Utah Shakeout in the middle of flood season

Mathews wants to remind Utahns that the Great Utah Shakeout is happening this upcoming Thursday, April 20. 

“We want everyone to participate this Thursday,” Mathews said to Dave after he shared a story of his 10-year-old knowing how to respond to an earthquake thanks to the Utah Shakeout.

For more information on the upcoming shakeout, click here. 

More on flooding in Utah:

• UPDATED: Where you can help with flooding prevention
• Stockton water treatment facility taking measures to prevent flooding
• What we can learn from the 2011 severe flooding in Weber County