Flood safety advice: Before, During, After

When a flood is imminent or occurring, your priority should be the physical safety of you, your loved ones, and your pets. 

Before a Flood

• Follow Valley Water on Social Media for storm updates: X (formerlyTwitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
• Get the latest information about local creeks and reservoirs' water levels. Valley Water's Surface Water Data Portal provides relevant flood information based on the readings from rain sensors and includes Flood Watch threshold/forecast and ALERT data. 
  • Please Note: Raw real-time data is always preliminary. 
• Get flood insurance. Visit floodsmart.gov. 
  • Ask your insurance agent about obtaining flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program. Typically, a 30-day wait period is required before a flood insurance policy takes effect.
  • Take photos and videos of all major household items and valuables. Retain these documents in a safe place because they are important when filing insurance claims.
• Know your flood risk. Look up your address in the Flood Map Service Center to learn if you live, work, or travel in areas that are prone to flooding.
• Know your neighborhood streams and drainage channel locations. Do not pollute, dump, or drain anything in creeks.
• Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep original documents in a watertight safety deposit box.
• Sign up for early flood warning text alerts at AlertSCC and download the American Red Cross Emergency App.
• Develop an emergency plan and emergency kit with supplies for your home and car.
  • For templates and information on preparing your family emergency plan and kit, visit ready.gov/make-a-plan and ready.gov/kit.
  • For a detailed list of recommended supplies, visit ready.gov emergency supply list or Red Cross Flood Safety Checklist. This checklist may be a useful guides before, during, and after a flood event.
• Designate a household meeting spot. If you are at work or school, follow the established safety protocols.
• Move to higher ground or the highest level of a building to avoid floodwaters.
• Keep your car’s gas tank full or fully charged.
• Charge all electronic devices: cell phone, laptop, tablet, power bank, batteries, flashlights, battery-powered radio, etc.
• Prepare your home for a flood and minimize losses.
  • Protect Your Home from Flooding
  • Stop floodwater from entering your home with materials like plywood, plastic sheeting, and sandbags. 
  • Seal cracks in your home’s foundation, exterior home walls, and small openings around pipes.
  • Keep rain gutters and downspouts free of debris.
  • Tarp or seed unvegetated slopes on your property.
  • Learn how to turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
  • FEMA's Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Prevent Your Home from Flooding
  • Waterproof your basement. Install a water alarm and maintain a working sump pump to protect your basement. Install a battery-operated backup pump in case of power failure.
  • Elevate and anchor your critical utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems.
  • Move furniture and valuables to a safe place, such as an attic or the highest floor of your home.
• Build responsibly: check with your local floodplain manager before you build.

Additional Resources for Protecting Your Property:

• Learn how to keep your family safe during a flood.  American Red Cross flood preparedness.
• Resources for policyholders living in manufactured (mobile) home.  Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards
• Information on protecting critical utilities, like water heaters and HVAC systems, from flood damage. Protecting Building Utility Systems from Flood Damage
• Mitigation options for homes that cannot be elevated. Reducing Flood Risk to Residential Buildings that Cannot be Elevated

During a Flood

• Report creek blockages and local street flooding.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If a flood is imminent, avoid low-lying areas and seek shelter in the highest spot possible. If told not to evacuate or it’s too late to evacuate, shelter in place.
• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. If you are at work or school, follow the established safety protocols. Evacuation is safer and easier before floodwaters become too deep. For more information, see www.ready.gov/evacuation.
• Moving water is dangerous. Six inches of moving water can cause a person to fall off his/her feet. If you have to walk in water, walk where it is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you and aid in balance.
• Understand shallow flooding risks – don’t drive through standing water. Turn Around Don’t Drown® — If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground. A foot of water will cause many vehicles to float. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pick-ups.
• NEVER drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Stay alert by monitoring the local news, weather reports, and emergency advisories. Tune to emergency radio stations and sign up for emergency alerts.

After a Flood

• Never walk, swim, drive, or play in floodwater. Oil, gasoline, or raw sewage may have contaminated the water. Underground or downed power lines may also have electrically charged the water.  
• Please stay away from downed power lines and report them to your power company. Do not attempt to turn on a gas meter if the service is disconnected. Contact your utility and or your local police department.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.  
• Clean and disinfect everything wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.  
• Any repairs or improvements greater than 50 percent of a structure’s value need to meet National Flood Insurance Program requirements.
• Listen for news reports on whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.