To reconnect with our environment for Earth Month, we look back on one of our Growing Sustainably projects, Watershed In A Box. Starting in 2018, we have paved the way for local K-12 students to learn about watershed protection, climate change, and sustainability. 

In 2017, the Olinder community suffered the effects of devastating floods from Coyote Creek. 14,000 people were forced to evacuate, many of whom were unprepared for such an event. CommUniverCity recognized that emergencies like these can arise at any time.

In the fall of 2019, we prepared lessons to promote awareness of flooding dangers and teach families several ways to prepare for future flood emergencies. An educational video was put together detailing how to create an evacuation plan with the family, creating a ready-to-go flood emergency kit, and knowing your local flood risk. The workshop on December 4th-18th welcomed 86 participants.

Flood preparedness kits were donated by Valley Water, and distributed along with informational sheets at the McKinley Community Center to families who watched our video. The kits included basic amenities that would be needed in the event of a flood: an emergency blanket, a pancho, a whistle, a glowstick, a flashlight, a flood preparedness checklist in Spanish and English, an emergency red cross card, and a flood preparedness coloring book. 

Out of the feedback we received from 25 participants, 96% said that they had a much better understanding of how they can protect and prepare themselves and their families in the case of a flood after watching our video.

To learn about how to protect yourself in the event of a flood, view our flood preparedness video here.