日前，河南多地发生的特大暴雨引发了极为紧急的洪涝灾害，面对突如其来的洪水，如何做才能趋利避害，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。和很多其他自然灾害一样，洪灾会在毫无预警的状况下发生。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 its 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，不止是由于水非常大而且水流非常急，还由于水还会带来其他东西。水流中携带的碎片会致使困在洪水中的人受伤，还会让游泳或蹚水变得愈加困难。
Additionally, floods can cause power outages, communication disruptions, traffic jams and widespread destruction. And, the flood itself isnt 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.
除此之外，洪水还会致使断电、通信中断、交通拥堵和大面积的破坏。而且，你要应对的不光是洪水。洪水的余波同样致命，由于可能没办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.
假如官方发布了洪水预警，要立即探寻庇护所。千万不要试图蹚水、在洪水中游泳或开车。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非常危险的。另外，仅仅1英尺（0.3米）高的洪水就能把车冲走。
一块儿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，由于洪水或许会把桥冲垮。
2. Listen to emergency broadcasts for further instructions. If told to evacuate6, do so.
收听应对广播里的指令。假如指令需要你撤离，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.
假如你的车被湍急的水流困住了，就待在车里。假如水开始涌进车里，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 .
假如你被困在洪水泛滥的建筑物里，就上最高层。不要去阁楼，由于阁楼没逃生通道，或许会被困在里面。假如有必要，就转移到屋顶。在屋顶上发信号求救，譬如在屋顶上画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.
离得远远的电线，由于暴雨和洪水总是会损毁或击落电线。被击落的电线会让周围的水带电，从而致使触电死亡。
洪水过后，你需要如此做：
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，或用洪水刷碗、刷牙、清洗食物或做饭。必须要饮用干净、安全的水。假如你撤离了，只有当地权威部门表示已经安全的状况下才能回家。饮水、做饭、洗澡等都只用瓶装水、沸水或处置过的水。防止开车经过灾区和积水区，6英寸高的水就能叫你失去对车的控制。