Most important
Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep a car away.
Before
- Check your flood risk at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and sign up for your community's warning system.
- Homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flooding. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program usually takes up to 30 days to start, so buy it well ahead.
- Keep documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.
- Move valuables to higher levels, clear drains and gutters, install check valves, and consider a sump pump with a battery.
- Plan and practice evacuation routes for everyone, pets included.
During
- Evacuate right away if told to, and never drive around barricades.
- Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater, and stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
- If your car is trapped in fast water, stay inside. Get on the roof if water rises inside.
- If trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but not into a closed attic. Go onto the roof only if necessary, then signal for help.
After
- Return home only when authorities say it's safe, and avoid driving except in emergencies.
- Watch for electrical hazards: don't touch wet equipment, and turn off power if it's safe to.
- Wear gloves, boots and protective clothing to clean up, and a mask around mold. People with lung conditions shouldn't enter moldy buildings, and children shouldn't help clean up.
- Watch for snakes and other animals in the house. Run generators only outdoors.
In your plan
When you tick flood under "What your area gets", the plan tool adds these to your buying schedule:
- A waterproof document container in place of a regular document bag
- A battery backup for the sump pump (homeowners, Better budget)