Be aware of the best practices for flood readiness, and the use of National Weather Service flood forecast and warning tools. Floods, big or small, can have devastating effects on your home and your family. You can take steps to reduce the harm caused by flooding. Learn how to prepare for a flood, stay safe during a flood, and protect your health when you return home after a flood.
Be SMART When it Storms
Preparing for a Flood
Learn how to prepare for a flood, including how to create a plan, supplies you’ll need, and getting your home ready.
Floodwater Safety
Floodwater and standing water can be dangerous. Protect yourself and your loved ones from risks brought on by floods.
Returning Home
Returning home after a flood? Be aware that your home may be contaminated with mold or sewage. Take steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
During
- Gather emergency supplies and follow local radio or TV updates.
- Unplug appliances to prevent electrical shock when power comes back on.
- Do NOT drive or walk across flooded roads. Cars and people can be swept away.
- When power lines are down, water is in your home, or before you evacuate, TURN OFF gas, power, and water.
- Tie down or bring outdoor items inside.
- Recognize Flood Risk
- Identify flood-prone or landslide-prone areas near you.
- Know your community’s warning signals, evacuation routes, and emergency shelter locations.
- Know flood evacuation routes near you.
After
- Throw away items that cannot be disinfected, like wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall.
- Use fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers for drying.
- For cleanup, wear rubber boots and plastic gloves.
- Clean walls, hard floors, and other surfaces with soap and water. Use a mixture of 1 cup bleach and 1-gallon water to disinfect.
- Caution! Flood water may contain trash.
- Practice Safe Hygiene
- Wash hands with soap and water to help prevent germs.
- Listen for information from your local officials on how to safely use water to drink, cook, or clean.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
Never drive through flooded areas. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
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Have a Plan, Know the Impacts, Know More than the Hurricane Path, Get Prepared and Help Your Community
Get your home ready for a flood
- Make sure you secure or protect any hazards in your home before the flood strikes.
- Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
- Buy a fire extinguisher if you do not already have one. Make sure your family knows where it is and how to use it.
- Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
- Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12″ above your home’s projected flood elevation.
- For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
- Anchor fuel tanks which can contaminate your basement if torn free. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream and damage other houses.
Video: Flood Smart DIY in 5 Steps
Tornado | Rain and Floods | Earthquakes | Lightning | Volcanoes | Winter Storm
Disaster Safety Plans
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
Download Emergency Preparedness Checklist
A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life. Headed to the store? Download a printable version to take with you. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.
Checklist on Emergency Preparedness
A Family Communication Plan A Family Communication Plan - Spanish Version All-Hazards Preparedness Guide Backpack Emergency Card Backpack Emergency Card - Spanish Version Emergency Kit Checklist Emergency Kit Checklist - Spanish Version Family Communication Plan Template Pet Emergency Kit Pet Emergency Kit - Spanish Version Public Downloads
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When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
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Be Smart Get Prepared Image Comic Strip 1 Supply Kit Comic Strip 2 Family Plan Comic Strip 3 Weather Preparedness Escape Grid Family Communication Plan Template Know Your Alerts and Warnings Pack It Up Game Ready Family Supply Checklist 1 Download Emergency Preparedness Activity Books
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3 Steps to Prepare Your Finances for Natural Disasters 5 Weird Disasters in 60 Seconds 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold - Spanish Don't Wait Emergency Preparedness. Electrical Fire Safety Emergency Operations Center Emergency Preparedness Video Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Family Communications Plan and Emergency Kit Food Safety Video Have Two Ways Out Fire Safety - Preparedness Animated Video Health Sector Resilience Important Things To Know Before a Disaster Introduction to the Public Health Preparedness Capabilities PHEP 102 - Overview of the Capabilities-Based Approach Preparing for Disasters and Important Documents IRS Video Prepping A Go Bag With Supplies In Case Of An Emergency It is Scary Simple Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Recipe for Preparedness – Trick-or-Treat Severe Weather Preparedness Stay a Float in Flooding Tips to Prepare Steps to Recover Financially from a Natural Disaster We Prepare Everyday - Open Caption and Interpreter Preparedness Video Danger Rangers
Seven animal heroes called the "Danger Rangers," their robot Fallbot, and their artificial intelligence called SAVO teach children about safety through examples, such as environmental hazards and unsafe places.