Flood safety advice: Before, During, After

Prepare a family disaster plan for floods, earthquakes and fires. Make an emergency kit for your home and for your car with emergency supplies such as a flashlight, batteries, water and non-perishable food.
- For templates and information on preparing your family emergency plan, visit ready.gov/make-a-plan.
- For a detailed list of recommended supplies, visit ready.gov/build-a-kit.
Move insurance policies, documents and other valuables to a safe deposit box.
Prior to a storm, examine your house for cracks in foundation, exterior walls and small openings around pipes, and seal them. Elevate important utility structures such as electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems.
- For ways to protect your home from flooding: FEMA's Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting
Learn the locations of streams and drainage channels in your neighborhood.
Learn how to turn off utilities to your home and keep your car's gas tank full so you won't be stranded.
Learn the best route to high ground to avoid flood waters.
Purchase flood insurance.

Be aware that flash flooding can occur and move immediately to higher ground.
Follow Valley Water on Twitter or Facebook for storm updates.
Tune to radio stations KCBS (740 AM) or KSJO (92.3 FM) for emergency information, traffic updates and instructions.
If you must evacuate, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment of you are wet or standing in water.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Evacuation is easier and safer before floodwaters become too deep.
Do not walk through moving water, no matter how shallow. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you and to aid in balance.
Do not drive into flooded areas, no matter how shallow. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pick-ups. Play it safe; turn around, don't drown.

Listen for news reports on whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Stay away from downed power lines and report them to your power company.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Never try to walk, swim, drive or play in floodwater.
Stay out of any building that is surrounded by floodwater. Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leach systems as soon as possible.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.