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If your street is flooded, do not walk or drive through the water. Move to higher ground if water is rising, follow local emergency alerts, and evacuate immediately when officials order you to leave. If water reaches your home, stay clear of submerged electrical systems and do not delay leaving to save belongings.
What should you do first when flooding starts?
Use local emergency alerts and instructions as your guide: warnings, evacuation routes, and available services vary by location. Keep a battery-powered radio or phone available for updates, and follow directions from local authorities.
- If water is rising, move to higher ground. If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately by the designated route. Take essentials only; do not wait to protect possessions.
- If you are trapped by moving water, get to the highest possible point and call 911 if you can. Do not try to cross the water on foot or in a vehicle.
- If you are not ordered to leave, keep monitoring alerts and be ready to go. Leave if officials direct you to or the home becomes unsafe.
During a flood watch, know local warning signals, evacuation routes, and shelter locations. Make a household communication plan that accounts for pets and anyone who may need help evacuating. The CDC advises keeping at least one gallon of water per day for each person and pet for at least three days; this is a preparedness supply recommendation, not a forecast of how long an emergency will last. See the CDC flood safety guidance.
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Do not walk or drive through flooded streets, creeks, or underpasses, and never go around a road barricade. Turn around and find another route, or stay in a safe place and seek official instructions. The CDC’s advice is direct: “Never drive in flooded areas—turn around, don’t drown!”
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Water can move quickly, hide hazards, and make a vehicle stall or sweep away. The National Weather Service (NWS) gives these examples to show the danger: 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, 12 inches can float a car or small SUV, and 18 inches can carry away large vehicles. These are warning examples, not safe crossing limits; depth may be hard to judge and the road surface may be washed out. Floodwater can also conceal electrical wires, chemicals, and sharp debris. See the NWS flood safety guidance.
What should you do if water enters or threatens your home?
Follow evacuation orders and stay out of dangerous rooms
Leave immediately when authorities order evacuation and use designated routes. Do not enter a basement or room where water covers electrical outlets or cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear electrical buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping, get out and stay away from the water.
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Avoid electrical and gas hazards
Never stand in water to turn electricity on or off, operate an appliance, or reach a breaker. If the main power switch is accessible from a dry location, shut it off only if it is safe to do so. If reaching it would require entering standing water, stay clear and call a qualified electrician.
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When can you return to a flooded home?
Wait until local authorities say it is safe to return. Do not enter a damaged home until a building inspector has checked it. If possible, return in daylight and use a battery-powered flashlight rather than candles or flame lanterns. A home that has been closed for several days should be aired out before anyone stays there.
Assume floodwater and affected surfaces may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals. Avoid contact where possible; if you touch floodwater, wash promptly with clean water and soap, and clean and tend to any wounds. Follow local instructions about whether water is safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
How should you clean up and dry the home safely?
- Discard exposed or unsafe food. Throw away food that touched floodwater and food that was not kept at safe temperatures. Unsafe food may look and smell normal.
- Check electrical safety before using equipment. Have a qualified electrician check the electrical system before power is restored. Do not use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or other powered equipment in wet areas until an electrician confirms it is safe.
- Dry the home promptly once it is safe. Fans and dehumidifiers may help. Pumps and wet-dry shop vacuums are options only after electrical safety has been confirmed.
- Keep fuel-powered equipment outside. Never run a generator, gasoline-powered pump, or other gasoline-powered tool indoors or within 20 feet of doors, windows, or vents, even when they are open.
- Have flooded HVAC equipment inspected. An experienced service professional should inspect and clean a flooded heating or cooling system before it is turned on.
See the CDC guidance on cleaning up after a flood for additional safety information.
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