Floods are one of the most common and costly natural disasters, responsible for nearly 90% of damage from all disasters (excluding droughts). They can happen in almost any U.S. community, and often come with little warning.
Know the Terms
Understanding flood alerts helps you respond quickly:
- Flood Watch / Flash Flood Watch: Conditions are favorable for flooding.
- Flood Warning / Flash Flood Warning: Flooding is happening or about to happen.
- Minor Flooding: Little to no property damage, but may cause public inconvenience.
- Moderate Flooding: Some roads or structures may be affected, and limited evacuations may be needed.
- Major Flooding: Widespread impact on homes and roads, and larger evacuations likely.
Urban Flooding
In cities, flooding often happens when storm drains are clogged by debris or overwhelmed by heavy rain. This can affect any area—not just those near rivers or creeks.
Get Prepared
- Have a plan and an emergency kit ready for all types of disasters.
- Use sandbags to help redirect water if your property is flood-prone. Place them before the storm hits.
- Check insurance coverage. Standard homeowner’s insurance usually doesn’t cover flood damage. Flood insurance typically takes 30 days to activate, so don’t wait for a storm to act.
If Flooding Happens
- Evacuate if told to. Lock your home and unplug appliances if time allows.
- Avoid walking through floodwater. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
- Never drive through flooded roads. Water may hide hazards and sweep away vehicles—turn around, don’t drown.
