Flood safety: what to do before, during and after a flood
The National Weather Service says never walk or drive into floodwater: 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 12 inches can float a car or small SUV. Evacuate as soon as water starts to rise or when you are told to, and get to higher ground.
The National Weather Service, citing the CDC, says more than half of flood-related drownings happen when a vehicle is driven into dangerous floodwater.
- What each flood alert means
- How deep is too deep?
- During a flood
- Before a flood
- After a flood
- Cleaning up safely
- Gear
What each flood alert means
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flood Watch | Conditions are right for flooding. It is possible, not certain. | Be prepared. |
| Flood Advisory | Flooding is expected to be a nuisance, not bad enough for a warning. | Be aware. |
| Flood Warning | Flooding is about to happen or is happening. | Take action now. |
| Flash Flood Warning | A flash flood is about to happen or is happening. | If you are in a flood-prone area, move to high ground now. |
From the National Weather Service.
How deep is too deep?
| Moving water | What it can do |
|---|---|
| 6 inches | Knock you off your feet |
| 12 inches | Float a car or small SUV |
| 18 inches | Carry away large vehicles |
Figures from the National Weather Service. The NWS also warns that the road may have collapsed under the water, and that it is never safe to drive or walk into floodwater. Turn around, don't drown.
During a flood
- Stay tuned. Water levels change fast. Keep local radio, TV or a NOAA Weather Radio on (NWS).
- Leave early. Evacuate as soon as water starts to rise, and right away if you are told to. Lock up, and if there is time, shut off utilities and unplug appliances (NWS).
- Stay out of the water. Do not walk, swim or drive through it. Never drive around barricades, and stay off bridges over fast-moving water (Ready.gov).
- Stay out of flooded basements or any room where water covers outlets or cords (NWS).
- Trapped in a car: stay inside unless water is rising inside it. Then get on the roof (Ready.gov).
- Trapped in a building: go to the highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. Go on the roof only if you have to, and signal for help (Ready.gov).
- Call 911 if you are trapped or someone is hurt.
Before a flood
- Know your risk. Look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and sign up for local alerts (Ready.gov).
- Check your insurance. Ready.gov says homeowner's policies do not cover flooding, and a flood policy usually takes up to 30 days to start. Buy it well before you need it.
- Protect documents in a waterproof container and keep password-protected digital copies (Ready.gov).
- Stock supplies of food, water and cleaning supplies for several days (Ready.gov). See the go bag checklist.
- Raise electrics. The CDC says to have a licensed electrician raise switches, sockets, breakers and wiring at least 12 inches above your home's projected flood level.
After a flood
- Go home only when officials say it is safe (Ready.gov).
- Stay out of floodwater. It can hide chemicals, sharp objects and collapsed roads (NWS).
- Check the water supply before drinking, cooking or cleaning with it. Boil it if officials say so (NWS). See how to make water safe.
- Electrics: do not touch wet electrical equipment or stand in water near it. Make sure power is off and have an electrician repair the wiring (NWS).
- Enter damaged buildings carefully. Floors and ceilings can fall (NWS).
- Generators outside only, away from windows (Ready.gov). See generator safety.
- Throw out food that may have touched floodwater (CDC). See food safety after an outage.
Cleaning up safely
- Wear rubber boots, gloves and protective clothing, and a mask when cleaning mold or debris (Ready.gov, CDC).
- Children should not do cleanup work. People with asthma, lung conditions or weak immune systems should stay out of buildings with mold (Ready.gov).
- Clean with 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water (CDC).
- Throw away soaked items that cannot be cleaned, such as rugs, drywall and wall coverings (CDC).
- Dry the house with fans, air conditioning and dehumidifiers (CDC).
- Know the date of your last tetanus shot in case of a cut or puncture wound (CDC).
- Watch for snakes and other animals (Ready.gov).
Common mistakes
- Driving into water on the road. The NWS says 12 inches can float a car.
- Driving around barricades because the road looks passable.
- Walking through moving water. 6 inches can knock you down.
- Climbing into a closed attic to escape rising water. You can get trapped.
- Waiting to buy flood insurance until a storm is coming. It usually takes 30 days to start.
- Letting children help with cleanup.
Gear for this
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NOAA Weather Radio
The NWS says to keep listening because water levels change fast.
Waterproof document bag
Ready.gov says to keep important documents in a waterproof container.
N95 masks
Ready.gov says to wear a mask when cleaning mold.
Dehumidifier
The CDC says to dry the home with fans, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Questions people ask
How much water does it take to sweep a car away?
The NWS says 12 inches of moving water can float a car or small SUV, and 18 inches can carry away large vehicles.
What is the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning?
A watch means flooding is possible. A warning means it is about to happen or already happening, so act now.
Does homeowner's insurance cover flooding?
No. Ready.gov says you need a separate flood policy, which usually takes up to 30 days to start.
Sources
- National Weather Service: Turn Around Don't Drown
- National Weather Service: Flood Watch vs Warning
- National Weather Service: During a Flood
- National Weather Service: After a Flood
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Floods
- CDC: Flood Safety
- CDC: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
Related entries
- W-01How to make water safe to drink in an emergencyBoil it, bleach it, or filter and treat it. Exact amounts from the CDC.
- F-01How long food lasts in the fridge and freezer when the power goes out4 hours in the fridge. 48 hours in a full freezer. What to keep and what to throw out.
- D-0272-hour go bag checklistWhat to pack so you can leave home in minutes and get through 3 days. Red Cross and FEMA lists, ready to tick off.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.