🚨 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Time-sensitive information: If floodwaters are coming and you have time to prepare, use this guide to minimize risk to your home and family.
🌊 How to Prepare for and Survive a Flood
by Christine Brockman
⚡ Quick Action Summary
🔗 Related Emergency Resources:
Emergency Heat - Tips for severe weather and power outages📻 General Flood Precautions
📻 Communication is Critical
Get a working radio with spare batteries. A radio is an indispensable tool for staying informed. Most local radio stations provide updates and instructions before and during floods.
✓ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
✓ Extra batteries
✓ Know your local emergency frequency
🎒 Emergency Kit Essentials
Prepare an emergency kit in an easy-to-carry container. This should be ready to grab and go at a moment's notice.
🔦 Basic Supplies
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Warm clothing (waterproof outerwear)
- Blankets
- Necessary medications
👤 Personal Items
- Personal toiletries
- Identification documents
- Family documents
- Cash and credit cards
👶 For Families with Infants
- • Diapers and diaper cream
- • Baby medications
- • Baby wipes
- • Toys to keep them occupied
🏠 Home Protection Preparations
⏰ Time-sensitive actions to protect your property and environment
These steps should be taken as soon as you receive flood warnings and have time to prepare.
📦 Move and Secure Items
Move to Higher Ground:
- • Furniture and appliances
- • Personal belongings
- • Electronics and valuables
- • Important documents
🌍 Environmental Protection
⚠️ CRITICAL - Move Chemicals:
- • Pesticides
- • Household cleaners
- • Paint and solvents
- • Automotive fluids
This prevents pollution and contamination of floodwaters
🚿 Plumbing Protection
Prevent Backflow:
- • Remove toilet bowls if possible
- • Plug basement sewer drains
- • Seal connections with any available materials
🏗️ Structural Protection
Sandbag Protection:
- • Contact local government office
- • Usually provided during emergencies
- • Place around vulnerable entry points
🚗 Evacuation Guidelines
🚨 Critical Safety Reminder
Don't be a statistic! Rescue crews risk their lives to save people who ignore evacuation orders. When authorities tell you to leave - GO!
⏰ When to Evacuate
Evacuate immediately when advised by local emergency authorities.
Don't wait for "perfect" conditions. Emergency responders have access to real-time data and weather patterns you may not see.
✅ Evacuation Checklist
Before You Leave:
- Take your 72-hour emergency kit
- Leave a note stating when you left and where you went
- Turn off utilities if instructed
- Lock your home
During Travel:
- Follow designated evacuation routes only
- Avoid shortcuts or unfamiliar roads
- Keep radio on for updates
- Stay calm and drive safely
⚠️ NEVER Drive Through Flood Waters
Why It's Dangerous:
- • Currents can sweep your car away
- • Hard to judge water depth
- • Roads may be washed out underneath
- • Electrical hazards from downed power lines
If Your Car Stalls:
- • Get out immediately
- • Leave the car behind
- • Move to higher ground
- • Call for help when safe
Remember: "Turn Around, Don't Drown" - Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles
📞 Emergency Contacts & Resources
🚨 Emergency Services
911
Police, Fire, Medical
🌧️ Weather Service
Listen to local radio stations for weather alerts and evacuation orders
🏛️ Local Emergency Management
Contact your city/county office for sandbags and evacuation assistance
🛡️ Your Survival Depends on Preparation
Being involved in a flood is a terrible experience, but with proper preparation, you can protect your family and minimize damage to your property.
"Better to be prepared and not need it, than to need it and not be prepared."
About the Author
Christine Brockman is a web writer, publisher, and survival enthusiast. She enjoys the great outdoors, testing the latest survival gear, and camping with her family. Her practical approach to emergency preparedness has helped many families stay safe during natural disasters.