Flood safety and recovery
Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Ready.gov says just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Floods are the most common disaster in the United States, according to Ready.gov. They can come from rain, snowmelt, storm surge or a dam failure, and flash floods can come with little or no warning.
During: stay safe
- Get to safe shelter right away and evacuate if officials tell you to.
- Turn Around, Don't Drown: do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater, and never drive around barricades.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
- If you're trapped in a building, go to the highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic; only go on the roof if necessary, then signal for help.
- If your car is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside. Get on the roof if water rises inside the car.
Source: (Ready.gov: Floods)
After: recover
- Return home only when officials say it's safe.
- Stay out of floodwater: it can be contaminated, hide debris, or be electrically charged by downed lines.
- Don't touch electrical equipment if it's wet or you're standing in water.
- Wear gloves, boots and protective clothing to clean up, and dry your home within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold.
- Homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover flooding; if you have NFIP or private flood insurance, file your claim and photograph everything first.
Official sources
- NWS flood safetyFlood and flash flood safety · NWS
- National Water Prediction ServiceRiver forecasts and flood levels · NOAA
- Ready.gov: FloodsBefore, during and after · Ready.gov
- Water damage and mold guideDrying out and cleanup
Get help
- Roads & closures511, road conditions, flooding
- Find shelterOpen shelters and hotel help
- Boil-water noticesIs your tap water safe?
- FEMA & money helpAid, loans and free legal help
- Tarps & roof helpTarps, roof help and volunteer crews
- Safety firstGas, power lines, CO, floodwater
- After the storm: housing, mental health, money
- Insurance photo checklist
Live alerts for your area: pick your state · Current weather events
Common questions
How much water does it take to sweep away a car?
Ready.gov says one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away, and just six inches of moving water can knock you down.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Usually not. Ready.gov notes homeowners policies do not cover flooding; flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy, which typically takes 30 days to start.
How fast should I dry out a flooded home?
Start within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold, and photograph damage for insurance before you remove anything.