After the Storm

• Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!    
• Did you know that a foot of water will float most vehicles and that two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-up trucks? Six inches of swift moving water can knock down a person.
• Do not let children play in flood waters. There may be an active power line down in the water resulting in electrocution. Additionally, flood waters may contain harmful bacteria that can cause severe infections.
• Do not let children play near storm drains. Every year, children are sucked into storm drains that are carrying flood waters away.

View the Ready.Gov site on floods.

• Always dress appropriately when going out into cold weather. Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.  

• Do not walk on frozen bodies of water. You risk falling through the ice into freezing cold water that could cause hypothermia.
• Drink lots of water and take frequent breaks when shoveling snow. Approximately 100 people in the US die each year from heart attacks when shoveling snow.
• Know your risk when driving on icy roads. If you must go out, make sure your phone is fully charges and have a preparedness kit in your car.

Both severe winter storms and summer storms have elements that can bring down power lines. Consider the following to avoid electrocution:

• Do not attempt to touch or pick up any wires that you see either laying on the ground or hanging low. They may be energized or could become energized at any time. Get as far away from these wires as you can and call 9-1-1 right away.
• Do not walk in flooded basements if your power is still connected. You may be electrocuted if the water is making contact with an electrical source.
• If the power goes out or you voluntarily turn the power off to your home, use extra caution when using candles for light to avoid the spread of fire.
• Avoid touching metal objects outside after severe storms (i.e. fences, guard rails, baseball backstops, etc.). There may be a power line down on the object and it may electrocute you.

• Always use appliances that run on fuel outside the home and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages. Using these appliances indoors (including in the garage) could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas and exposure to high levels is deadly to people and pets.
• Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.

• Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
• Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

If you are a survivor of a recent severe storm or flood that has caused damage to your property, please be aware of the following tips to avoid scam and fraud following the incident.

City employees and other government entities after storms will NEVER ask for money or to enter your home.

Scammers will often offer immediate repairs and/or ask for payment upfront. Verify contractor credentials by asking to view their licenses and insurance. Alternatively, take a business card and do your own research before calling the company.

To avoid fraud and scams after a storm, consider the following:

1. Be Cautious with Door-to-Door Offers

• Don’t sign anything on the spot.
• Check ID and ask for a business license.
• Never give cash up front.

2. Verify Contractors & Aid Groups

• Check licenses using the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation License Look Up.
• Check company reviews.
• Ask for written estimates and compare.
• Remember: City staff and other government entities, including FEMA, won’t ask for money in exchange for their help.

3. Watch Out for These Red Flags

• "Limited time offer!" messaging or pressure to act quickly.
• Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Claims that the company is "FEMA certified" (FEMA does not certify contractors).

4. Protect Your Personal Info

Never give out your:

• Social Security Number
• Bank account info
• FEMA registration number (unless you contacted them)

5. Use Trusted Sources for Help

Local Emergency Management Agencies, such as the Aurora Emergency Management Agency and the county emergency management agency in which your home is located.

Register for disaster aid ONLY through:

• disasterassistance.gov
• FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
• Get housing help, food, or cleanup support from known local nonprofits.

6. Report Scams Immediately

• FEMA Fraud Line: 1-866-720-5721
• Local police or state attorney general's office
• FTC.gov/complaint

For more information on avoiding fraud and scams after a storm, visit FEMA’s Beware of Fraud and Scams webpage.

Consumers should be aware of scammers posing as representatives of charities seeking donations for disaster relief. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from this type of fraud:

• Donate to trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charity's legitimacy through its official website. If you have doubts, you can check with Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. You can also check with the National Association of State Charity Officials whether charities must be registered in your state and if the charity contacting you is on file with your state.
• Verify all phone numbers for charities. If you need to contact a charity by phone, check the charity's official website to see if the number you have is legitimate. If you're using text-to-donate, check with the charity to ensure the number is legitimate before donating.
• Do not open suspicious emails. If you receive a suspicious email requesting donations or other assistance, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Scammers regularly use email for phishing attacks and to spread malware.
• Verify information in social media posts. Double-check any solicitation for charitable donations before you give. Crowd-funding websites often host individual requests for help but they are not always vetted by the site or other sources.

To report suspected fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-720-5721. If you need to report other fraudulent activities during or following a natural disaster, please notify FEMA at 1-866-720-5721 or StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.

You can also file a complaint with the FCC about phone scams, or with the FTC about fraud.

For more information, see the Federal Communications Commission’s webpage After Storms, Watch Out for Scams.

Getting back to normal after a disaster takes time and a lot of work. There are a lot of Post-Disaster assistance that can help you get back on your feet. Our partners at Illinois Emergency Management have put together a great explaination of the different assistance programs and partners that can aid you after a disaster.

Click here to visit their site.