What to Do During and After a Flood

Floods can arrive with little warning, turning everyday routines into urgent survival situations. Whether caused by heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, or storm surges, these events disrupt homes, communities, and peace of mind. Here are a few tips on what you can do during a flood and after:

Things to do during a flood: 

• Tie down or bring in outdoor items inside.
• Unplug appliances to prevent electrical shock when power comes back.
• Do not drive or walk across flooded roads.
• Recognize flood risk, by identifying problem spots near you.
• Should you need to evacuate, turn off gas, power and water.

Things to do after a flood:

• Throw away items that cannot be disinfected, like wall coverings, cloth and rugs.
• Use fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers for drying.
• For cleanup, wear rubber boots and plastic gloves.
• Clean walls, hard floors, and other surfaces with soap and water. The CDC recommends using 1 cup of bleach and 1 gallon water to disinfect.
• Document anything that gets removed with photos.

For more information about what to do during floods, please review information provide from the CDC: Preparing for Floods.