Flood Safety

Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the Number 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
Enable weather alerts on your mobile phone. You can use USGS’s WaterAlert system to receive text or email messages when a stream in your area is rising to flood level.
Build an emergency supply kit. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit Ready.gov for a complete disaster supply checklist.
Make a pet plan. Many shelters do not allow pets. Make plans now on what to do with your pets if you are required to evacuate your residence.

Replace any flooded HVAC equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners with new ones elevated above the flood level.
Reduce the risk of damage from flooding by elevating critical utilities, such as electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems.
Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
Anchor any fuel tanks.
Move furniture, valuables and important documents to a safe place.
Store copies of irreplaceable documents (such as birth certificates, passports, etc.) in a safe, dry place. Keep originals in a safe deposit box.

Visit Ready.gov for additional information on preparing for a flood or what to do after a flooding event.