Guide · Safety and emergencies

Flood Readiness

A friendly, practical guide to getting ready for a flood, staying safe while it happens, and recovering well afterward, including what insurance usually does and doesn’t cover.

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Where to start

Water rising now?
Follow the instructions of local officials. If told to leave, leave right away. See if water is rising.
Want to get ready this week?
Work through the getting your household ready checklist.
Wondering about insurance?
Read the insurance basics to know.

The short version

Floods can happen almost anywhere, often with little warning. A little preparation protects people first and belongings second.

Sign up for alerts, know your routes to higher ground, keep a go-bag and keep important papers in a waterproof container.

Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock a person down.

Most homeowners and renters policies don’t cover floods, and flood policies usually take about 30 days to start. Look into coverage early.

Rules after a flood differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Turn around, don’t drown
Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock a person down.
2
People first, things second
When officials say to leave, please leave. Belongings can be replaced. You cannot.
3
Flood coverage is usually separate
Most homeowners and renters policies don’t cover flooding, and flood policies usually have a waiting period.
4
Water and power don’t mix
Stay out of water that may touch outlets or wiring, and let a professional check before power goes back on.

Try it

Getting your household ready

From the guide’s own steps. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

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Learned whether your area floods, and signed up for local emergency alerts on your phone
Two ways out of your neighborhood known, plus a place on higher ground where you could stay
Go bag packed with water, medicine, chargers, a flashlight, copies of IDs and some cash
Important papers in a waterproof container or saved safely online
Valuables and keepsakes stored up off the floor
Insurance policy read, and asked whether flood is covered
Photos or a video taken of your belongings

If water is rising

Take a breath, and follow the instructions of local officials. If told to leave, leave right away.
Move to higher ground. If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but not a closed attic.
If it is safe and you have time, turn off power at the main breaker from a dry spot.
Stay out of floodwater and away from downed power lines. Call 911 if you are in danger.
Let family know you are safe, and use texts to keep phone lines clear.
Once you are safe, take photos of the damage and share what happened in writing.

You did exactly the right thing. Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater.

Insurance basics to know

Most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
Flood insurance is usually a separate policy, and renters can often buy coverage for belongings.
Flood policies usually take about 30 days to begin, so it is wise to look into coverage well before flood season.
A flood watch means flooding is possible, so get ready. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to, so act on official instructions right away.

Your insurance agent and Ready.gov are good places to ask what applies to your home.

After a flood

After the water goes down

From the guide’s own list. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; every flood is a little different.

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Home confirmed safe to enter, with a licensed electrician check before power is restored
Damage photographed and documented before cleanup, and insurance contacted
Water removed and the home dried within about 24 to 48 hours where possible
Soaked items that can’t be cleaned and dried removed, like carpet pads and drywall touched by floodwater
Checked with local officials about drinking water if a boil water notice is in place
Everyone affected kept in the loop, with written notes of what was done and when

Printable checklist

Like it on paper?

The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.

Get the printable checklist

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Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.

See The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep the full guide handy

The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

Download the PDF

From the Bunklow shop

Take it with you

The Perfect Emergency Ready Checklist WorkbookA fillable workbook with a screen version and an ink saver print version.
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, insurance or medical advice. Always follow the instructions of local officials. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.