1. Know Your Risk and Make a Plan
The most important step happens long before the sky turns dark. First, understand your specific risk. Use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center online to see if your home is in a high-risk flood zone. Even if it’s not, remember that flash floods can happen anywhere.
Next, consider flood insurance; standard homeowner's policies typically do not cover flood damage, and there's often a 30-day waiting period for a new policy to take effect. Finally, create a family emergency plan. Designate a safe meeting place outside your neighborhood in case you get separated. Ensure everyone, including children, has memorized key contact numbers. Document your property with photos and store important documents (birth certificates, insurance policies) in a waterproof container or digitally in the cloud.
2. Prepare Your Home and a 'Go Bag'
Before a storm is on the horizon, take steps to secure your home. Clear gutters and drains to allow water to flow freely. If you're in a high-risk area, consider installing check valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into your home's drains. Prepare a “Go Bag” or emergency kit for each member of your household. This should be a backpack ready to grab at a moment's notice. Key items include: a gallon of water per person per day (for three days), non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, a multi-tool, personal sanitation items, and a hand-crank or battery-powered weather radio. Don't forget copies of important documents, cash, and chargers for your mobile devices.
3. Heed All Watches and Warnings
Understanding official alerts is critical. A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. It’s time to be prepared, review your plan, and make sure your emergency kit is ready. A Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or already occurring. This is when you must take action. Listen to local authorities and be prepared to evacuate immediately if told to do so. If you have time before leaving, move essential items to an upper floor and bring outdoor furniture inside. Disconnect electrical appliances, but do not touch them if you are wet or standing in water. When an evacuation order is issued, do not hesitate. Your life is more important than your property.
4. Never Drive Through Floodwater
This rule is absolute and is the focus of the National Weather Service’s “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” campaign. A staggering number of flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. It’s impossible to judge the depth of water on a road, and the roadbed itself may have been washed away beneath the surface. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, and just one foot of moving water can sweep away a small car. Two feet can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks. If you encounter a flooded roadway, stop, turn around, and find an alternative route. The inconvenience of a detour is infinitely better than the life-threatening risk of driving into the unknown.
5. Stay Safe After the Flood
The dangers don't disappear when the water recedes. Returning home requires extreme caution. Do not return until authorities have declared it safe. Once you are back, be aware of hidden hazards. Floodwater is often contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and bacteria; wear protective gear like boots and gloves. Avoid wading in standing water, which can hide debris or downed power lines. Check for structural damage before entering your home, and be wary of snakes or other wildlife that may have sought shelter inside. Never use gas-powered generators or grills indoors, as they produce deadly carbon monoxide. Finally, when you begin the cleanup process, document all damage with photographs for your insurance claim.
