Flood Prep for Older Adults

Respect the Power of Flood Waters: Turn Around. Don’t Drown!

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

Floods may:

• • Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows of dams and other water systems.
  • Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
  • Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings and create landslides.

Please review this section for additional safety tips to help you prepare for floods, stay safe during any flooding, and stay safe during cleanup after floods recede.

Preparing For a Flood

Know Your Risk for Floods

Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to know types of flood risk in your area. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Purchase Flood Insurance

Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Preparing For a Flood

Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency

Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

Staying Safe During a Flood

	Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
	Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
	Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
	Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
	Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
	Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and, once there, signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.

Staying Safe After a Flood

	Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
	Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
	People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
	Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
	Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
	Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
	Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.

Click this link to download the Ready.gov Flood Hazard Info Sheet PDF »»

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Adapted from Ready.gov website content.