近日，河南多地发生的特大暴雨引发了极为严重的洪涝灾害，面对突如其来的洪水，应该怎么做才能趋利避害，保护好自己呢？

 

Being caught in a flood is incredibly dangerous. Like many other natural disasters, floods can occur with little to no warning. Flash floods move quickly and have strong currents. They are known to rip¹ trees out of the ground, destroy buildings and cause bridges to collapse².

被困在洪水中是极其危险的。和许多其他自然灾害一样，洪灾会在毫无预警的情况下发生。洪水会在瞬间暴发，来势汹涌，可以把树连根拔起，摧毁建筑物，冲垮桥梁。

 

Of course, drowning is a threat during a flood, not only because there is so much water and it’s moving quickly, but also because of what the water is carrying. Debris³ caught in the current can injure anyone in the floodwater, making it more difficult to swim or tread⁴ water.

当然，洪灾期间有溺水危险，不仅是因为水很大而且水流很急，还因为水还会带来其他东西。水流中携带的碎片会导致困在洪水中的人受伤，还会让游泳或蹚水变得更加困难。

 

Additionally, floods can cause power outages, communication disruptions, traffic jams and widespread destruction. And, the flood itself isn’t the only issue to contend⁵ with. The aftermath can be just as deadly, as it may not be possible to deliver essential supplies such as water and food to the area.

此外，洪水还会导致断电、通信中断、交通拥堵和大面积的破坏。而且，你要对付的不光是洪水。洪水的余波同样致命，因为可能无法向灾区运送水和食物等必需品。

 

If a flood warning has been issued, seek shelter immediately. Never attempt to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. It only takes six inches of moving water to knock a person off their feet, and being knocked unconscious by a fall into moving water could be fatal. Additionally, as little as one foot of flood water can sweep cars away.

如果官方发布了洪水预警，要立即寻找庇护所。千万不要试图蹚水、在洪水中游泳或驾车。6英寸（0.15米）高的流动水就能把一个人击倒在地，而在水流中被击昏是很危险的。另外，仅仅1英尺（0.3米）高的洪水就可以把车冲走。

 

一起来看看突发洪水逃生指南：

 

1. Avoid bridges that cross rapidly-moving water, as floodwaters can cause bridges to collapse.

避开架在湍急水流之上的桥梁，因为洪水可能会把桥冲垮。

 

2. Listen to emergency broadcasts for further instructions. If told to evacuate⁶, do so.

收听应急广播里的指令。如果指令要求你撤离，就撤离。

 

3. Stay inside a car trapped by fast-moving water. Only get out if the water begins to flood the car itself, then move to the roof of the vehicle.

如果你的车被湍急的水流困住了，就待在车里。如果水开始涌进车里，就转移到车顶上。

 

4. If trapped within a flooding building, move to the highest floor. Do not go into the attic⁷, as it is possible to become trapped there without a way to escape. Only relocate to the roof if necessary. Once there, signal for help (such as drawing SOS on the roof).

如果你被困在洪水泛滥的建筑物里，就上最高层。不要去阁楼，因为阁楼没有逃生通道，可能会被困在里面。如果有必要，就转移到屋顶。在屋顶上发信号求救，比如在屋顶上画SOS。

 

5. Avoid power lines, as they are often damaged or knocked down during strong storms and flooding. A downed power line can cause surrounding water to become charged, leading to electrocution.

远离电线，因为暴雨和洪水往往会损坏或击落电线。被击落的电线会让周围的水带电，从而导致触电死亡。

 

洪水过后，你需要这样做：

 

Do not drink flood water, or use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, or wash/prepare food. Drink clean, safe water. If you evacuated⁸, return to your home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do so. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc. Avoid driving through flooded areas and standing⁹ water. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

不要饮用洪水，或用洪水洗碗、刷牙、清洗食物或做饭。一定要饮用干净、安全的水。如果你撤离了，只有当地权威部门表示已经安全的情况下才能回家。饮水、做饭、洗澡等都只用瓶装水、沸水或处理过的水。避免驾车经过灾区和积水区，6英寸高的水就能让你失去对车的控制。

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