Here's how to prepare for a flood: learn your flood risk and the fastest way to higher ground, buy flood insurance well before any storm, pack a kit with at least 3 days of supplies, and protect your important documents. When water starts rising, leave early. Never walk or drive through floodwater.
The National Weather Service (NWS) notes that some floods build slowly over days, while flash floods can hit within minutes, sometimes without any sign of rain. That's why most flood safety work happens long before the water arrives.
Know your flood risk
NWS suggests asking three questions: Is your home, work or school in a floodplain? Where does water collect on the roads you use most? What is the fastest way to higher ground? FEMA's FloodSmart site lets you look up your address in its Flood Map Service Center to see your flood risk.
Get flood insurance early
Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage (FloodSmart, NWS).
Many flood insurance policies take at least 30 days to go into effect, and insurers stop issuing policies when a flood threat is approaching (NWS).
FloodSmart says almost one-third of National Flood Insurance Program claims come from outside high-risk flood areas, so low-risk doesn't mean no-risk.
Make a plan and a kit
Communication plan: pick one person everyone checks in with for updates, and a safe place to meet (NWS).
Supplies for at least 3 days: NWS lists food, water and medicine, plus batteries, blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves and a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery-powered radio.
Charge everything: keep phones and radios charged and have backup batteries (NWS).
Pack ahead: NWS says to pack in advance for yourself, your family and your pets in case you have to evacuate.
Our sister site has a full go bag checklist if you're starting from scratch.
Protect your home and documents
Have a professional install check valves in your plumbing so floodwater can't back up into drains (NWS).
Make sure your sump pump works and consider a backup (NWS).
Label your circuit breakers or fuses clearly for each area of the home (NWS).
If you have time and sandbags, use them, but know that filling sandbags takes longer than you might think (NWS).
Take photos and videos of major household items and valuables, and store them somewhere safe and waterproof for insurance claims (FloodSmart).
Keep copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place, and the originals in a watertight safety deposit box (FloodSmart).
Stay informed. Follow local radio and TV, NOAA Weather Radio if possible, and official online updates (NWS).
Get to higher ground. If you're in a flood-prone or low-lying area, move to higher ground right away (NWS).
Don't wait for an order. If your home is likely to flood, NWS says to evacuate yourself. If you are told to evacuate, go immediately and lock your home. Disconnect utilities and appliances if you have time.
Stay away from electricity. Don't enter a basement or any room where water covers outlets or cords are underwater. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping, get out (NWS).
The NWS safety message "Turn Around Don't Drown®" exists for a reason. It reports that more than half of flood-related drownings happen when someone drives into hazardous floodwater, and the next highest share involves walking into or near it. Its numbers are sobering:
6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.
12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars.
2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Water can be deeper than it looks and can hide sharp objects, washed-out roads, electrical wires and chemicals. Never drive around barriers on a flooded road, because the road underneath may have collapsed.
When to call 911: NWS says if you're trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if you can.
Wait for the all clear. Don't go into a flood-damaged building until authorities say it's safe. Water damage can make floors collapse and ceilings fall (NWS).
Treat floodwater as dirty. NWS warns floodwater is often contaminated with sewage or chemicals, and gas leaks and live power lines may not be obvious.
Check your water. Make sure water is safe to drink, cook and clean with. Authorities may ask you to boil water for a while (NWS).
Never run a generator indoors. NWS says carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms when the power is out. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage.
Leave wiring to the pros. Make sure the electrical system has been turned off, and have the power company or a qualified electrician fix wires (NWS).
Start your claim. Contact your insurance agent about damage (NWS). FloodSmart says to report your loss right away, and the National Flood Insurance Program can help at (877) 336-2627 if you can't find your agent.
Check in. Let family and friends know you're okay. NWS points to the American Red Cross Safe and Well listing.
Power outages often come with floods. Our sister site's power outage checklist covers what to do while you wait for the lights to come back.
NWS says just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Usually not. FloodSmart says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is separate, and NWS notes many policies take at least 30 days to start.
NWS suggests at least 3 days of food, water and medicine, plus batteries, blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves and a battery-powered or NOAA Weather Radio.
Only after authorities give the all clear. Even then, NWS says to be very careful, because floors and ceilings can collapse and the power should be off.
Family Ready: Emergency Plan is a free iPhone app, with an optional Family Ready Plus subscription, that keeps your household plan in one place, with sections for contacts, documents, insurance, home and pets. Its editable emergency kit checklist is based on Ready.gov and Get Prepared guidance, and you can create a free, dated Emergency Snapshot PDF. It does not contact responders for you, so keep official alerts on and call 911 in an emergency.
Get Family Ready free on the App Store