Before a Flood
Know your flood risk — check if your property is in a flood zone using local maps and the EA Floods feed on NaturalDisasters.online for the UK, or NOAA alerts for the US. Elevate electrical appliances, furnaces, and water heaters above potential flood levels. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent water from backing up. Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds. Prepare a go-bag with documents, cash, medications, and warm clothes. Store sandbags and plywood if you live in a high-risk area. Plan evacuation routes that avoid low-lying areas and bridges.
During a Flood
Move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait for evacuation orders if you feel unsafe. Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater — just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of water can sweep away a car. Stay away from bridges over fast-moving water. If trapped in a building, go to the highest floor or roof, but do not enter a closed attic — you could become trapped by rising water. Signal for help using a torch or bright cloth. Listen to emergency broadcasts and monitor flood alerts on NaturalDisasters.online.
After a Flood
Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Watch out for snakes, insects, and other animals that may have entered your home during the flood. Do not turn on electrical appliances if they are wet — risk of electrocution. Throw away any food that came into contact with floodwater. Pump out floodwater gradually from your basement to avoid structural collapse. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet, as floodwater is often contaminated with sewage and chemicals. Take photos of damage for insurance claims.
