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Information provided by Ready.gov |
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Flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster. Flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. However, all floods are not alike. Some can develop slowly during an extended period of
rain. Others, such as flash floods, can occur quickly, even without any visible signs of rain. It’s important to be prepared for flooding no matter where you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even a very small stream or dry creek bed can overflow and create flooding.
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Step
1: Get A Kit
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Get an Emergency
Supply Kit, which includes items like
non-perishable food, water, a
battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra
flashlights and batteries. You may want to
prepare a portable kit and keep it in your
car. This kit should include:
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Copies of
prescription medications and medical
supplies; |
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Bedding
and clothing, including sleeping bags
and pillows; |
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Bottled
water, a battery-operated radio and
extra batteries, a first aid kit, a
flashlight; |
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Copies of
important documents: driver’s license,
Social Security card, proof of
residence, insurance policies, wills,
deeds, birth and marriage certificates,
tax records, etc. |
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Step
2: Make a Plan
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Prepare
your family |
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Make
a Family
Emergency Plan. Your family may
not be together when disaster
strikes, so it is important to know
how you will contact one another,
how you will get back together and
what you will do in case of an
emergency. |
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Plan
places where your family will meet,
both within and outside of your
immediate neighborhood. |
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It
may be easier to make a
long-distance phone call than to
call across town, so an out-of-town
contact may be in a better position
to communicate among separated
family members. |
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You
may also want to inquire about
emergency plans at places where your
family spends time: work, daycare
and school. If no plans exist,
consider volunteering to help create
one.
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Be
sure to consider the specific needs
of your family members
- Notify
caregivers and babysitters about
your plan.
- Make
plans for your pets
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Take a
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
class. Keep your training
current. |
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Step
3: Be Informed
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Familiarize
yourself with the terms that are used to
identify a flood hazard.
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Flood Watch:
Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information |
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Flash
Flood Watch: Flash flooding is
possible. Be prepared to move to
higher ground; listen to NOAA
Weather Radio, commercial radio, or
television for information. |
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Flood
Warning: Flooding is occurring
or will occur soon; if advised to
evacuate, do so immediately. |
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Flash Flood
Warning:
A flash flood is occurring; seek
higher ground on foot immediately.
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Prepare
Your Home |
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Find out if your home is at risk for flood and educate yourself on the impact a flood could have on you and your family. Then safeguard your home and possessions with flood insurance. Visit
www.floodsmart.gov. |
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Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk. |
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Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home. |
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If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds. |
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Property insurance does not typically cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage. |
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Prepare
Your Business |
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Plan
to stay in business, talk to your employees,
and protect your investment. |
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Carefully
assess how your company functions,
both internally and externally, to determine
which staff, materials, procedures and
equipment are absolutely necessary to keep
the business operating. |
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Identify operations
critical to survival and recovery. |
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Plan what you
will do if your building, plant or store is
not accessible.
- Consider
if you can run the business from a
different location or from your home.
- Develop
relationships with other companies to
use their facilities in case a disaster
makes your location unusable.
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Learn about
programs, services, and resources at U.S.
Small Business Administration. |
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Listen
to Local Officials |
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Learn about the
emergency plans that have been established in
your area by local government. In any emergency,
always listen to the instructions given by local
emergency management officials.
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Additional
Resources |
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Find additional
information on how to plan and prepare for
floods, what to do during and after a flood and
learn about available resources by visiting the
following:
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