How to survive a flood comes down to a few steps: know whether you are under a flood watch or a flood warning, keep an emergency kit ready, move to higher ground at the first sign of a flash flood, and never walk or drive through floodwater. After the water recedes, wait for the all-clear, stay out of floodwater, and document damage before cleanup.
Key Points
- A flood watch means be prepared; a flood warning means take action (NWS).
- Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult, 12 inches can carry away a small car, and 18 to 24 inches can carry away most large SUVs, vans, and trucks; most flood deaths occur in vehicles (NWS).
- A basic kit has one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, three days of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, medications, and copies of important documents (Ready.gov).
- After a flood, stay out of floodwater, use generators outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, throw away food that touched floodwater, and follow local advice on tap water (CDC).
- Standard homeowners and renters policies generally do not cover flood damage, and NFIP flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, so coverage needs to be in place before a storm (FEMA, Texas OPIC).
- Before cleanup, take photos of the damage and contact your insurance company (CDC).
What Is the Difference Between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?
The National Weather Service (NWS) uses two alerts for flooding, and they call for different responses:
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flood watch | Flooding is possible in your area. Be prepared. | Review your plan, check your kit, know your evacuation route, and monitor local forecasts and alerts. |
| Flood warning | Flooding is occurring or expected soon. Take action. | Move to higher ground or evacuate if told to, and avoid flooded areas. |
| Flash flood warning | Flash flooding is happening or imminent. | Move to higher ground immediately; do not wait for further instructions. |
Flash floods can happen with little warning, including in areas that haven’t flooded before, and heavy rain over land recently burned by wildfire can flood quickly because the ground absorbs less water (NWS). Sign up for local emergency alerts and keep a battery-powered radio, ideally a NOAA Weather Radio, in your kit.
What to Do Before a Flood
These flood safety tips and this flood preparedness checklist start with knowing your risk and having a plan before the water rises:
- Check your flood risk. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center shows your property’s flood zone, and your community’s emergency management office can tell you about local flood history.
- Make a household plan: choose an evacuation route and a meeting place, and plan for pets, children, and anyone who needs extra help.
- Build and check your emergency kit (see below), and keep a smaller kit in your car.
- Protect your home where you can: clear gutters and drains, and consider moving furnaces, water heaters, and electrical panels above likely flood levels.
- Store important documents, such as insurance policies, identification, and medical information, in a waterproof container, and keep copies in a second place.
- Photograph or video your belongings so you have an inventory if you ever need to file a claim.
- Review your insurance. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners or renters policies, and a flood policy typically has a 30-day waiting period (see below).
What Goes in a Flood Emergency Kit?
Ready.gov recommends building a kit that can support your household for at least three days. A basic flood emergency kit includes (Ready.gov):
- Water: one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
- Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, and a manual can opener.
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, with extra batteries.
- A flashlight, extra batteries, and a whistle to signal for help.
- A first aid kit, prescription medications, and glasses.
- A cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation, and a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, identification, and bank account records, in a waterproof container.
- Items for infants, pets, and anyone with special needs, plus cash.
What to Do During a Flood
- Listen to local radio, television, or emergency alerts, and follow instructions from local authorities. Evacuate when you are told to.
- If a flash flood is possible, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions.
- Stay away from streams, drainage channels, canyons, underpasses, and other places that flood quickly.
- If you evacuate and it is safe and instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
- Stay away from downed power lines, and avoid bridges over fast-moving water, since roads and bridges can be damaged underneath the water.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown: How Deep Is Too Deep?
Most flood deaths happen in vehicles, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over half of flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater (NWS). Water depth and speed are hard to judge, and the road under the water may be damaged. NWS guidance puts it this way:
| Depth of fast-moving water | What it can do |
|---|---|
| 6 inches | Knock over and carry away an adult |
| 12 inches | Carry away a small car |
| 18 to 24 inches | Carry away most large SUVs, vans, and trucks |
If you come to a flooded road, turn around and find another route. If your vehicle stalls in rising water, call 911 and, if you can do so safely, get out and move to higher ground.
What to Do After a Flood
- Wait for local authorities to say it is safe before you return, and be careful near damaged buildings.
- Stay out of floodwater, which can contain sewage, germs, and chemicals. If your skin touches it, wash with soap and clean water as soon as you can (CDC).
- Before you start cleanup, take photos of the damage and contact your insurance company (CDC).
- Never run a generator, pressure washer, or other gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage, or within 20 feet of doors, windows, or vents, and use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector (CDC).
- Throw away food that may have touched floodwater or that spoiled without refrigeration. When in doubt, throw it out (CDC).
- Follow local advice on whether tap water is safe. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water (CDC).
- Dry out your home to prevent mold, and use flashlights instead of candles.
- If you have a cut or puncture wound that touched floodwater, clean it and ask a healthcare provider whether a tetanus booster is needed.
How Does Insurance Fit In After a Flood?
Most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage, so a separate flood policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer, is what may help pay for it (FEMA). NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect (Texas OPIC), so a policy bought when a storm is already forecast may not apply. If you have a flood policy, report a loss immediately to your insurer or agent, and file the proof of loss within 60 days of the loss. Damage to your car from flooding is generally handled by comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, subject to your deductible (III).
Our flood insurance guide explains what NFIP and private flood policies cover, what they cost, and how claims work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flood Safety
How do I survive a flood?
Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning, keep an emergency kit ready, move to higher ground at the first sign of a flash flood, evacuate when told to, and never walk or drive through floodwater. After a flood, wait for the all-clear, stay out of floodwater, and document damage before cleanup.
What is the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning?
A flood watch means flooding is possible and you should be prepared. A flood warning means flooding is occurring or expected soon and you should take action, including moving to higher ground or evacuating if told to (NWS).
What should you do during a flood?
Follow instructions from local authorities and evacuate if told to. Move to higher ground immediately if a flash flood is possible, stay away from streams, drainage channels, and underpasses, avoid downed power lines, and do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
How do you survive a flash flood?
Move to higher ground immediately and do not wait for instructions. Avoid streams, canyons, and low-lying roads, and never drive into flooded roadways. Flash floods can happen with little warning, and most flood deaths occur in vehicles (NWS).
What should you do after a flood?
Wait for officials to say it is safe to return, stay out of floodwater, photograph damage and contact your insurer before cleanup, use generators only outdoors, discard food that touched floodwater, and follow local advice on drinking water (CDC).
What should you do if your car is in a flood?
Do not drive into floodwater. If your vehicle stalls in rising water, call 911 and, if you can do so safely, get out and move to higher ground. NWS says 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car (NWS).
What goes in a flood emergency kit?
At least three days of supplies per person: one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, medications, a phone charger, sanitation items, and copies of important documents (Ready.gov).
How much water can sweep a car away?
NWS says 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car, and 18 to 24 inches can carry away most large SUVs, vans, and trucks. Six inches can knock over an adult.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, available through the NFIP or private insurers, and NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage availability, terms, conditions, exclusions, and pricing vary by policy, carrier, and individual circumstances. Please speak with a licensed insurance specialist about your specific coverage needs. Policy details are subject to change.
Sources
- National Weather Service — Turn Around Don’t Drown
- National Weather Service — Flood Safety
- Ready.gov — Build a Kit
- CDC — Safety Guidelines: Returning Home After a Natural Disaster
- CDC — Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home
- FEMA — Flood Insurance
- Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel — Flood Insurance: The Basics
- Insurance Information Institute — Auto Insurance Basics
Leo Simental, CAIP
