來源:中國日報網
近日，河南多地發生的特大暴雨引發了極為嚴重的洪澇災害，面對突如其來的洪水，應該怎麼做才能趨利避害，保護好自己呢？
7月20日，車輛在河南鄭州市街頭被淹。（圖片來源：新華社）
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 rip trees out of the ground, destroy buildings and cause bridges to collapse.
被困在洪水中是極其危險的。和許多其他自然災害一樣，洪災會在毫無預警的情況下發生。洪水會在瞬間暴發，來勢洶湧，可以把樹連根拔起，摧毀建築物，衝垮橋梁。
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. Debris caught in the current can injure anyone in the floodwater, making it more difficult to swim or tread water.
當然，洪災期間有溺水危險，不僅是因為水很大而且水流很急，還因為水還會帶來其他東西。水流中攜帶的碎片會導致困在洪水中的人受傷，還會讓遊泳或蹚水變得更加困難。
Additionally, floods can cause power outages, communication disruptions, traffic jams and widespread destruction. And, the flood itself isn’t the only issue to contend 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，洪水還會導致斷電、通信中斷、交通擁堵和大面積的破壞。而且，你要對付的不光是洪水。洪水的余波同樣致命，因為可能無法向災區運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.
如果官方發布了洪水預警，要立即尋找庇護所。千萬不要試圖蹚水、在洪水中遊泳或駕車。6英寸（0.15米）高的流動水就能把一個人擊倒在地，而在水流中被擊昏是很危險的。另外，僅僅1英尺（0.3米）高的洪水就可以把車衝走。
一起來看看突發洪水逃生指南：
1. Avoid bridges that cross rapidly-moving water, as floodwaters can cause bridges to collapse.
避開架在湍急水流之上的橋梁，因為洪水可能會把橋衝垮。
2. Listen to emergency broadcasts for further instructions. If told to evacuate, do so.
收聽應急廣播裏的指令。如果指令要求你撤離，就撤離。
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.
如果你的車被湍急的水流困住了，就待在車裏。如果水開始湧進車裏，就轉移到車頂上。
4. If trapped within a flooding building, move to the highest floor. Do not go into the attic, 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濫的建築物裏，就上最高層。不要去閣樓，因為閣樓沒有逃生通道，可能會被困在裏面。如果有必要，就轉移到屋頂。在屋頂上發信號求救，比如在屋頂上畫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.
遠離電線，因為暴雨和洪水往往會損壞或擊落電線。被擊落的電線會讓周圍的水帶電，從而導致觸電死亡。
洪水過後，你需要這樣做：
Do not drink flood water, or use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, or wash/prepare food. Drink clean, safe water. If you evacuated, 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 standing water. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
不要飲用洪水，或用洪水洗碗、刷牙、清洗食物或做飯。一定要飲用幹凈、安全的水。如果你撤離了，只有當地權威部門表示已經安全的情況下才能回家。飲水、做飯、洗澡等都只用瓶裝水、沸水或處理過的水。避免駕車經過災區和積水區，6英寸高的水就能讓你失去對車的控制。
英文來源：CDC、modernsurvival
翻譯&編輯：丹妮