What to Do When Flooding is Imminent (Planning for Flooding)

1. Stay Informed of Changing Weather Conditions 

Set up 3 ways to receive weather alerts: 

• Find trusted sources for severe weather information. Follow your local National Weather Service (NWS) office, the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC), and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Facebook or X, and local TV stations.
• Enable wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) on your cell phone. Check your carrier’s website for instructions for your device. 
• Keep a battery-operated NOAA weather radio handy to receive alerts in case cell service is down. 

 

2. Understand Flood Alerts (Warnings, Watches, and Advisories)  

• Flood Advisory = Minor flooding is possible. An advisory is the lowest alert level but still be cautious. 
• Flood Watch = Conditions are favorable for flooding. Watches are usually issued several hours before a potential event. Be prepared to move to higher ground. 
• Flood Warning = Flooding is imminent or already happening. Evacuate if instructed and move to higher ground immediately. 
• Flash Flood Warning (3 tiers: Base, Considerable, Catastrophic) = Sudden, dangerous flash flooding is happening or about to happen. Take immediate action. Learn more about NWS Impact-Based Flash Flood Warnings and Alerts. 

 

 3. Be Ready to Evacuate

• Know which roads may flood and identify alternate routes. Follow all evacuation orders and instructions from local officials.  
• If you must shelter in place, move to the highest level of your home. If water continues to rise, avoid climbing into a closed attic without a way to escape. Keep an ax or similar tool available in case you need to break through the roof. Only climb onto your roof if necessary.  
• Never camp or park along streams, rivers, or flood-prone areas.  
• Never drive, walk, or ride through floodwaters, and do not drive around barricades. 
• If you come across a flooded roadway, remember: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. You never know how deep the water is or the condition of the road under the water. Even small amounts of water can sweep away a car. 
  • 6” of rushing water can knock an adult off their feet 
  • 12” can carry away most cars 
  • 2’ can carry away SUVs and trucks 
• Avoid water that may be electrically charged. If you see sparks, hear buzzing or crackling, or know outlets are underwater, leave immediately.  

 

4. Emergency Preparedness 

• Keep a go-bag with food, water, medications, and essentials. 
• Make sure pets are included in your evacuation plan. 

If evacuation orders are issued, your priority is to leave safely…But if time allows, take these last-minute steps to reduce damage:  

 

1. Move Essentials to Higher Ground 

• Prioritize moving important documents, valuables, and electronics upstairs.  
• If you cannot move furniture to a higher floor, place the legs of the furniture onto risers or pallets to elevate them above the flood level of your home if time allows.  
• Roll up rugs and store them on higher floors or elevations.  
• Bring in or tie down outdoor items (furniture, trash cans, grills, etc.). 
• Park vehicles on higher ground to protect them from rising water.  

 

2. Check Critical Systems  

• Test that sump pump and backup batteries are working. 
• Shut off power at the main breaker if flooding may reach electrical outlets.  

 

3. Use Sandbags Effectively 

• Place properly filled sandbags in advance (often used ahead of hurricanes), to help divert or block floodwater.  
• Combine sandbags with plastic sheeting to reduce water seepage.  
• Note: Sandbags work best against slow-moving floodwater. They are not effective against fast-moving water, storm surge, or flooding through crawl spaces.