Preparedness guide

Flood Preparedness

Flooding can happen from heavy rain, rising rivers, storm surge, drainage problems, or water entering low areas. The safest plan is built around alerts, avoiding floodwater, and waiting for official guidance.

Checklist hub Read guide

Start with these 3 steps

Follow local flood alerts.
Never enter floodwater.
Protect important documents.

Overview

What this means

Flooding means water is covering land, roads, buildings, basements, or low areas where it can create unsafe conditions. It may develop slowly or quickly, and it can affect places outside mapped flood zones. Household preparedness focuses on receiving local alerts, moving valuables and documents away from low areas when possible, avoiding flooded roads and rooms, and waiting for official reentry or cleanup guidance.

Who may be affected

People in low-lying homes
Basement apartment residents
Renters with ground-floor storage
Drivers and transit users
Households near streams or drainage areas
People with limited mobility
Pet owners
Residents with stored documents or keepsakes

Common misunderstandings

Only riverside homes flood
Shallow-looking water is safe to cross
Basements are safe during flooding
A familiar road is safe in heavy rain
Cleanup is simple once water drains
Flood alerts all mean the same thing

Before

Prepare before

Learn local flood alerts

Flood terms, warning areas, and alert systems vary by community. Learn how your area communicates watches, warnings, evacuation messages, road closures, and shelter information. If you live, work, or travel near low areas, creeks, drainage channels, or coastal zones, include those places in your plan even if your home has not flooded before.

Sign up for local emergency alerts if available.
Know trusted weather and emergency management sources.
Review common flood terms before storms arrive.
Keep a radio or backup alert method ready.

Protect documents and valuables

Water damage can make documents, photos, and household records difficult to use. Prepare calmly by keeping important papers together and away from low storage areas when possible. Renters and homeowners can both benefit from simple organization, photos for household records, and backup copies stored in a safer place or secure digital account.

Use a water-resistant folder for key papers.
Move important items off basement floors if possible.
Take photos of important household belongings.
Keep contact information on paper and digitally.

Plan for basements and low areas

Basements, below-grade rooms, garages, crawl spaces, and low storage areas deserve special attention. Identify what could be moved before heavy rain, what should not be stored low, and where household members should avoid going during flooding. Do not rely on pumps, drains, or barriers as complete protection.

Avoid storing critical items directly on low floors.
Know how water has entered nearby areas before.
Keep pathways clear for quick movement upstairs.
Ask your building manager about flood procedures if renting.

Plan travel alternatives

Many flood injuries happen when people try to travel through water or around closures. Build a plan that accepts delays as normal. Identify alternate routes, work-from-home possibilities, school communication methods, transit alerts, and a backup pickup plan. Do not assume a familiar road is safe during heavy rain or after water has crossed it.

Check official road and transit updates.
Plan for delayed commutes or canceled trips.
Identify higher-ground meeting places if useful.
Discuss pickup changes with schools or caregivers.

During

During the event

Avoid floodwater every time

The most important flood habit is simple: do not enter floodwater. Water may hide current, road washouts, debris, open utility covers, contamination, or electrical hazards. This applies to walking, driving, cycling, and letting pets explore. If water blocks your route, turn around and look for official information.

Do not walk through moving or standing floodwater.
Do not drive around barricades.
Keep children and pets away from water.
Call emergency services if someone is in immediate danger.

Move upward if safe

If water is entering a low part of a building, move to a higher, safer area if you can do so without entering water. Bring phones, medications, keys, and essential supplies only if they are nearby. Avoid basements and below-grade rooms during active flooding. Follow local official instructions if evacuation or sheltering guidance is issued.

Leave basements before water becomes a barrier.
Take essentials only if they are easy to reach.
Avoid elevators if power may fail.
Listen for evacuation or shelter instructions.

Use clear household communication

Flooding can separate household members through road closures, school changes, or transit disruption. Keep messages brief and practical. Share where you are, whether you are safe, and what official source you are following. If phone service is poor, text messages may work better than calls, and a written contact plan can reduce confusion.

Send short status updates to a trusted contact.
Use the household meeting plan if separated.
Avoid unnecessary travel to check on property.
Keep devices charged when power is available.

Respect road closures

Road closures, barricades, and official detours are there because conditions may be unsafe or changing. Do not move signs, drive around barriers, or follow informal shortcuts through water-covered areas. Even after rain slows, roads can remain damaged. Wait for official transportation, emergency management, or public works updates before traveling.

Use official road information before leaving.
Delay nonessential trips during active flooding.
Avoid underpasses and low roads.
Give emergency crews room to work.

After

After the event

Wait for reentry guidance

After flooding, buildings and neighborhoods may still have unsafe roads, damaged utilities, contaminated water, or unstable materials. If you left the area, wait until officials say it is safe to return. If you stayed, avoid flooded rooms and damaged areas until hazards are checked by the appropriate people.

Follow official reentry instructions.
Avoid downed wires and damaged utility equipment.
Do not enter flooded rooms if electricity may be present.
Keep pets away from standing water and debris.

Use cleanup caution

Flood cleanup can involve mud, sharp debris, damp materials, mold concerns, spoiled food, and sanitation issues. Work slowly and follow local public health guidance. Do not mix cleaning chemicals or handle utility problems yourself. For questions about structural damage, electrical systems, major repairs, or health concerns, contact qualified professionals or local officials.

Wear sturdy shoes and gloves for basic cleanup.
Ventilate areas if officials say it is safe.
Discard items according to local guidance.
Do not use damaged electrical items until checked.

Document household impacts

When it is safe, take photos and notes before moving items, but do not put documentation ahead of personal safety. Record dates, locations, and visible damage for your own household records. Keep receipts for temporary needs. Contact your property owner, utility provider, insurer, or licensed professional when their role applies.

Photograph damage from safe positions.
Write down what rooms or items were affected.
Save receipts related to cleanup or temporary needs.
Keep copies of official notices when available.

Reduce future confusion

After the immediate event, take one practical step to improve your flood plan. Move storage higher, update contact lists, label document folders, or review how alerts arrived. Flood risk can change as drainage, development, weather patterns, and local conditions change, so it is useful to revisit your plan regularly.

Restock any used emergency supplies.
Move important items away from low storage.
Update your household communication plan.
Review alerts that were helpful or missed.

Pair this guide with a practical emergency kit, a written family communication plan, and the flood preparedness checklist. If the event could affect property or records, review insurance basics and important documents before conditions become stressful.

Scenarios

Practice steady decisions

Water covers the usual road

Your normal route has water across it, but another driver appears to be considering crossing.

Steady action: Turn around, avoid the water, and check official road information for safer options.

Official reminder: Never enter floodwater, and respect barricades, closures, and local official instructions.

Basement water begins rising

Water starts entering a basement or below-grade room during heavy rain.

Steady action: Leave the area before water blocks the exit, move upward if safe, and avoid touching electrical equipment.

Official reminder: Call emergency services if anyone is trapped or in immediate danger.

A document folder is stored low

Important papers are in a box on a low shelf before a forecasted heavy rain event.

Steady action: Move the folder to a higher, protected location and create backup copies when practical.

Official reminder: Use local alerts and official guidance to decide whether additional action is needed.

You want to check damage

Floodwater has drained near your home, and you want to see what happened inside.

Steady action: Wait for safe access, avoid damaged utilities, and document only from places that do not put you at risk.

Official reminder: Follow official reentry, public health, and utility guidance before cleanup.

Checklist preview