How to Prepare for Flooding

Article · November 12, 2025

How to Prepare for Flooding

Getting ready for potential flooding starts with understanding your risk and having a plan for sheltering in place, or evacuating as needed. Knowing your vulnerability allows you to plan effectively and take necessary precautions. Identify safe evacuation routes and establish a communication plan for your family, ensuring everyone knows where to go and how to stay in touch. Don't forget to include plans for your pets or livestock.

Things to do long before flooding is forecast

• Have an electrician or contractor elevate your water heaters, electrical panels, and furnaces above potential flood lines.
• Install pumps with battery backups, if possible, seal basement walls with waterproof compounds and secure important documents in waterproof containers.
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and personal hygiene items. You can find tips for building an emergency kit in OEM's Be2Weeks Ready curricula.
• Review your flood insurance policy. Standard homeowner's policies typically don't cover flood damage, so considering purchasing flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can provide this coverage where available.
• Maintain the drainage and gutters on your property.
• Find out if you are at risk of flooding using FEMA's flood map.

Get yourself ready when they forecast flooding

It's crucial to act quickly to protect your home and ensure your safety. Here are some tips to help you get your house ready:

Move valuables to higher ground

• Move valuables, electronics, and important documents to the highest level of your home.
• Store important documents and irreplaceable items in waterproof containers to protect them from water damage.

Protect your home's entry points

• Place sandbags around doors, windows, and any other openings to help keep water out. Follow guidelines on proper sandbag placement.
• Check with your local emergency manager or firehouse to find out where your nearest sandbagging station is.
• Use waterproof sealant to close gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and foundation walls.

Secure utilities

• If it's safe, turn off gas, electricity, and water to prevent potential hazards.
• If possible, elevate major appliances like water heaters and furnaces above potential flood levels.

Clear gutters and drains

• Clear leaves, sticks, and other debris from gutters, downspouts, and exterior drains to ensure proper water flow away from your home.
• Make sure your yard slopes away from your home to direct water away from the foundation.

Plan for evacuation

• Identify and plan evacuation routes. Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for the latest road conditions. Ensure everyone in the household knows where to go and how to get there.
• Make sure your car has a full tank of gas and is stocked with emergency supplies in case you need to leave quickly.

Monitor rising waters

• Keep track of weather updates and flood warnings from trusted sources like the National Weather Service.
• Sign up for notifications at ORAlert.gov and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your cell phone.
• Always rely on official and trusted sources for information, such as the (NWS) and your local or Tribal emergency management officials, to stay updated and make informed decisions during emergencies.
• Be cautious of misinformation by fact-checking rumors and social media memes. If a post triggers an immediate emotional reaction like anger or fear, it might not be accurate and could be designed as 'rage bait.' Always verify information through trusted, official sources.
• Keep an emergency radio on hand that receives signals from AM/FM/SW and NOAA. Weather radios are available for under $40. These compact devices often come with built-in solar panels, can run on backup batteries, or hand-cranking and serve multiple functions as a flashlight and power bank for your cell phone.

Communicate your whereabouts

• Let family, friends, and emergency contacts know your plans and location.
• Consider using social media or text messaging to keep others informed, as these methods can help preserve your phone's battery life.

Be ready to move

• Have a go-bag packed for each member of your family (including pets) with essentials ready to go in case you need to evacuate quickly. You can learn more about what should be in your go-bag in OEM's Be2Weeks Ready curricula.
• Keep your emergency kit and other necessary items close by and ready to move at a moment's notice.

Mental Health and Stress Management

Remaining calm in a crisis is crucial. Keep a clear head by practicing deep breathing and focusing on the steps needed to stay safe. Assist those around you, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, to ensure everyone's safety. Visit Ready.gov for more tips on Coping with Disaster.

More Resources:

• Staying Safe as the Water Rises
• Staying Safe After the Floodwaters Retreat
• Preparing for Floods | Floods | CDC
• Flood Safety Tips and Resources
• Floods | Ready.gov
• Flood Safety | Flood Preparedness | American Red Cross