When torrential rains and flooding are predicted in your area—even if you’re not located next to a river or creek—the amount of water falling can quickly overwhelm local soil conditions and water may intrude into your home. What follows are some critical steps you can take to minimize lasting damage and hopefully, prevent it from happening.

What to do

• Protect your home and belongings

• Create digital copies of important documents

• Prepare an emergency kit

• Plan and monitor your possible evacuation

• Keep important contact info handy

Immediate steps you can take to protect your home and belongings

First things first, collect your important documents and store them in a waterproof container. Things like birth certificates, house deeds, passports, and other files you may already keep in file cabinets or cardboard boxes can be quickly tossed into plastic bins. If you have time, you may also want to put family photo albums and other special mementos into waterproof containers and move them to a safe location.

If you live in a multi-story building, move furniture and electronics to upper floors if you can, and if you have vehicles, move them out of places like underground parking to higher elevations like street parking.

Some cities offer free sandbags and sand that you can use to divert and block water intrusion from your home’s entry points. Another important step is to clean and clear all your gutters and downspouts, as they’re specifically designed to divert water away from your house and foundation.

We also recommend taking photos and video of your home’s condition before any predicted flooding takes place to serve as a baseline for possible future insurance claims and assistance applications.

Have digital copies of your most important documents

It’s always good to have digital copies of important documents handy on your phone or computer so you can speed up recovery after a disaster. Log into your insurance company website and download PDF copies of your policy and any summaries of coverage. 

Make sure you have digital access to your medical records. Take digital photos or scans of your property deeds, bank records, and birth certificates. You can also take digital photos of high-value items and try to capture any serial numbers, then place them in a photo album.

Prepare an emergency kit

In the days leading up to a possible evacuation, assemble an emergency “go bag” that includes things like:

• A 3-day supply of drinking water

• Non-perishable food

• Flashlights and batteries

• A battery-powered radio

• Basic first aid kit and essential medications

• Phone charger cables and a battery bank

• Changes of clothing and toiletries

• Pet supplies, diaper bag, etc. (as applicable to your family)

Plan and monitor your possible evacuation

You’ll want to monitor your local news and weather and be prepared to follow any evacuation orders immediately. Part of your preparation can include: knowing a safe evacuation route, having a full tank of gas in your vehicle, and planning where you’ll go and stay. If evacuation orders come, be sure to keep your friends and family informed and updated so they know where you are and where you’re headed.

Important contact information to keep handy

In the wake of disaster, keep phone numbers in your contacts for your insurance agent and mortgage holder (or landlord, if you’re renting). FEMA’s number is (800) 621-FEMA and they can offer immediate help over the phone or via DisasterAssistance.gov. Temporary housing assistance in the aftermath of a flood is often covered by FEMA or homeowner’s insurance.