Flood Preparedness: What To Do Before, During, and After a Flood

Anywhere it can rain, it can flood, making flooding risk one of the deadliest and most widespread hazards across the United States. Here is why:

Flooding can affect individuals, communities, and even entire regions. Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. The most common flood deaths occur when someone drives into a flooded street, bridge, or overpass.

Floodwaters can carry bacteria and viruses that can cause illness, and stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Flooding can also reduce the supply of clean drinking.

Floods can:

• Displace people from their homes, often permanently. In extreme cases, floods can cause entire communities to be evacuated and cause extensive damage to infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
• Cause significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Floodwater can destroy buildings and possessions, and the cost of repairs and replacement can be substantial.
• Have a significant economic impact on affected regions, particularly if businesses are damaged or shut down. The cost of repairs, loss of productivity, and increased insurance rates can all have long-term effects on the local economy.
• Have a significant impact on the environment. They can cause erosion, ecosystem damage, and pollution from sewage and other hazardous materials.

It is essential to take flood warnings seriously. Prepare for potential flooding by monitoring weather alerts, having an emergency kit, and following evacuation orders.

The reason that so many people drown during flooding is that they underestimate the incredible power of water. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. Twenty-four inches, or two feet, of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including pickups and SUVs.

If you come to an area that is covered with water, you cannot determine the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night when it is hard to see hidden hazards such as deep potholes, debris, or downed power lines.

Some of the other reasons to avoid driving in flooded areas include:

1. Water can enter your engine through the air intake, causing damage to the engine and potentially making the vehicle inoperable. Moreover, lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, such as cars or golf carts, can short circuit when damaged by a collision or submerged in water. The short-circuiting causes ignition, sometimes even hours after water exposure.
2. Lithium-ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish, release toxic chemicals, and often burn for hours. They can ignite adjacent structures when they are parked in garages and near homes.
3. Even with a four-wheel-drive system, driving through floodwater can cause a loss of traction, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
4. Even if the vehicle does not suffer engine damage or loss of traction, it can still become stuck in the floodwaters.
5. Driving through flood water can also create a dangerous situation for other drivers and emergency responders who may need to access the area.

Play it smart. Play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN! 

Yes. Smart home devices can monitor, alert, and even activate protections that reduce flood damage.

Smart-technology tools to consider:

• Flood-sensor alarms placed near sump pits, basement floors, or utility rooms that notify your phone when water is detected
• Automated shut-off valves for the water supply that close when excess flow or flooding is detected
• Smart sump pumps with battery backup and remote monitoring so you get alerts if the pump fails or flooding begins
• Weather-alert systems and smart home hubs programmed to send notifications when flood warnings are issued for your area
• Smart landscaping tools and sensors that monitor soil moisture and drainage, helping prevent saturation around your foundation

These tools work best when combined with physical mitigation upgrades and a proactive home-maintenance plan.

Preparing your family means having a plan, putting together supplies, and knowing when to evacuate.

Family emergency preparation steps:

• Create a family disaster plan that includes communication methods, meeting places, evacuation routes, and the special needs of children, older adults, or pets.
• Build a disaster supply kit that includes water, non-perishable food, batteries, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, first-aid supplies, and copies of important documents in waterproof storage.
• Monitor weather alerts and river/stream/flood-zone warnings, and be ready to move when instructed by emergency officials.
• Take inventory and photograph your home’s valuables and belongings for insurance purposes.
• Practice the evacuation plan and ensure all family members know how to shut off utilities such as gas, electricity, and water if flooding threatens.

Yes. Mitigation improvements can boost a home’s resilience and market appeal, particularly in areas with high flood risk.

Ways flood protection may increase property value:

• Elevated mechanical systems and dry-floodproofed areas demonstrate readiness for flood events.
• Flood insurance premiums reductions or easier policy availability make homes more attractive to buyers.
• Visible mitigation (such as flood vents, reinforced foundations, or landscaping that channels water away) signals long-term durability.
• Certificates or inspections verifying flood-resistant upgrades enhance buyer confidence.

When buying or selling, documenting these upgrades and their benefits can help in increasing the value of the property.