What to prep in case of flood?
Posted by getshwiftyman@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 77 comments
Plenty of floods going on in my state right now and I'm seeing a lot of evacuations from flood zones. Got me thinking, what are the best things to prep for an evacuation, and in worst case, what would you want if you had to bug-in during a flood?
maxsmoke105@reddit
Here's some flood plain mapping resources:
https://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/ (search for your address and click view web map)
This site makes it easy to find areas prone to flooding: http://floodtools.com/Map.aspx
Virginia flood risk information system http://cmap2.vims.edu/VaFloodRisk/vfris2.html
smsff2@reddit
Flood survivor here. I’d say the first step is to scan all your important documents and upload them somewhere online. This is especially important for items like diplomas, professional certificates, and patents. They can be difficult to replace. If you don’t have a scanner, a simple photograph is still better than nothing.
After scanning, it’s a good idea to place important paperwork in waterproof containers or a dry bag. Hiking stores sell rubber dry bags that work well for this. Store the paperwork on a top shelf so it has the least chance of being damaged by water.
Hefty-Squirrel-6800@reddit
We have the book in addition to the documents online. So many people bought out in our area that the cellular system was overloaded. We used a landline that an elderly relative had to phone our insurance claims in while the storm was still passing over at home.
plumb-Tuckered-out@reddit
There are a few phone apps, like Genius Scan, that will let you scan documents with your phone. Some are free to use up to a certain storage capacity!
Angry_Hermitcrab@reddit
I've yet to goto public library that didn't have free scanning.
silasmoeckel@reddit
Android has doc scanning built in now. Camera should guess it's a doc and prompt you.
roberttheiii@reddit
If you have an iPhone (and I bet android has similar function with Google Drive) you can just open the "Files" app, go to a folder (either on icloud (online) or on your phone (local storage) and use the "Scan documents" feature to scan things. No need for a third party app.
IntoTheCommonestAsh@reddit
The built in iPhone note app also scans documents.
Open a new note > click on the paperclip > scan document.
Then you can save the scan as a file, attach it to an email, etc. from the notes app.
Arglival@reddit
Not for flooding prep but we have scanned copies for mundane paperwork and notarized copies of important paperwork. We have vac / heat sealed them. By the time you would need them the risk of damage would have passed.
roberttheiii@reddit
Better advice than mine, but I'd add know your landscape. Is your house in flood zone? Even if no, are there situations where it might flood? Downstream from a damn? What if there's 14 inches of rain? etc.
Hefty-Squirrel-6800@reddit
I lived in this situation multiple times. So, first, you prep in anticipation of bugging out. Second, you establish an actual place to go. Then, you stash additional preps at the destination. If the destination is far away, you may want to stash additional preps somewhere along the way. You do not want to get trapped in a flooded home. Why? Reasons. You do not want to bug out without a place to go. People who have no place to go are called "refugees" and find themselves at the mercy of local and state governments. You will be strongly persuaded to go to a shelter. You will not be allowed to bring in firearms, and what little preps you do bring will not be safe.
The plan is to bug out and either take preps with you or stash them at the destination. Then ride out the storm in a safe location, and call your insurance carriers first to be on the list to get an adjuster (if you return home and there is no damage, just call and cancel the claim). So, have a book with all your insurance, medical, and identification information. Bring food that can be literally dumped from a can and heated on a Coleman stove. With the stress, no one is going to have the bandwidth to prepare a home-cooked meal.
So, do not rely on there being supplies at your destination. Others will evacuate there too and will strip the shelves bare. So, you have to have the stuff you need (when you return) with you or at your destination.
When you return, bring the supplies with you to return safely, be self-sufficient, and start cleaning up. Otherwise, you are just a tourist and will be in the way. FUEL, FUEL, and FUEL. There will be no fuel along the way, as others will have run the gas stations dry. There will not be any fuel at your destination for the same reason. There will be no fuel at home because gas stations will be closed or flooded. There will not be reliable cell service either.
The best return-to-home strategy is to send one person home with minimal supplies to investigate. Then, that person returns and brings the family home together. If the person gets there, he will take pictures, secure what he can, and get out.
I have ridden out multiple hurricanes and Tropical Storms. Some I bugged out and returned (I work in local government). Some, I stayed. You do not want to be trapped in a flooded house manly because snakes will seek the house as a place to get out of the water. We had people during Hurricane Ike who did not evacuate and had to climb into the attic to stay above the water. The snakes tried to climb in there, too. When you return to a flooded house, you will find all manner of beasts inside, either alive or dead. In my area, people found alligators, snakes, dead pigs, deer, and other people's dogs. Some even found a crackhead or two.
If you do come home and stay, do not run generators at night. Use inverters. At night, the sound attracts looters looking for a generator and gasoline.
For personal defense, this is the worst situation. You are technically in a WROL situation, but when the disaster is over, you will be held to account for the use of force or death caused. So, obviously, carry firearms but do not use them on the crackhead you find in your house unless you are actually attacked. Even if armed, you want to avoid confrontation, because after civilization returns, somebody is going to try to prosecute you.
So, it is WROL but with the rule of law.
It isn't fair and doesn't make sense.
But it is reality.
i-call-your-bluff@reddit
A boat
MArkansas-254@reddit
A boat. 🧐
nakedonmygoat@reddit
Other than that, it's just standard prepper fare: water, food, a way to heat food, light, etc. I was in a multi-day flood event and never lost water or power, but that wasn't everyone's experience. Even after the flood waters receded, there was no place to go. Nothing was open. Even if during ordinary times you're perfectly happy at home, knowing you can't leave will have an effect on you, so prep morale items, whatever that may mean to you.
CopperRose17@reddit
Thank you for the tip about Quick Dams. I already put some in the Walmart cart. We have regular flooding from Monsoons. Sand Bags are bulky to store, and hard to fill. I had never heard of Quick Dams. This is why I hang out on prepping subs. :)
XRlagniappe@reddit
I buy these as go on sale. I have some long ones as well as the sandbag size. I hope they have a long shelf life.
CopperRose17@reddit
I've had garage flooding from water heaters, water softeners, and the RO system leaking, as well as monsoons. I was thinking that if I put a line of the long ones in front of the area where those appliances are, it might save a lot of expense and aggravation. I'm hoping I don't have a flood soon, but I'll post about how well they work if I do. :)
readyforunsteady@reddit
Take pictures of your home, both inside and out, especially where you have expensive or valuable items (car/garage, TVs/computers, furniture, etc.)
Will help with any insurance claims afterwards
whatchahavin@reddit
Probably a boat huh
Ok_Screen_3808@reddit
Axe in the attic in case you need to bust out of the roof. Learned from Hurricane Katrina. Maybe even an inflatable boat or raft just in case.
Nearby_Impact_8911@reddit
A boat or raft life, jackets
MistyMtn421@reddit
During Helene a lot of people that survived the flash flood had life jackets.
johnnyringo1985@reddit
Big boat. 2 of every animal. Be wary of wine.
cakeefel@reddit
My house flooded spring before last. Lost a lot of stuff I shouldn't have because I thought it was safe in plastic totes. No matter how heavy, in a foot of water they floated up and flipped. I had tools and power tools on top of stacks of totes that flipped. My garage freezers floated up and flipped.(Got 'em on cinder blocks now.) Lesson is to remember BOYANCY. You'd think I would have thought of that one, being an ex-navy submariner!
vibes86@reddit
Put an axe or something similar in your attic.
XRlagniappe@reddit
You can do what this guy did.
https://www.wideopencountry.com/houston-man-uses-massive-inflatable-dam-save-house/
invisiblebody@reddit
Have a way to mark your door or some exterior area of your house like the roof with how many people are inside the home so rescuers know how many need rescuing.
Keep extra chargers for devices in waterproof containers along with your important documents and get some cash saved and stored there too.
Bright neon yellow life vests, like for boating. Good to have to avoid drowning and provide higher visibility if someone ends up in the water.
Have ropes or paracords to secure yourself to something sturdy if you have to risk wading in the water.
Cover all wounds with something waterproof, but try to dry off and uncover them from time to time to let the area breathe. Disinfectants kept in something waterproof can help avoid sepsis.
Get anything you can use to make loud noise, like whistles, or metal items to bang against each other, and get some signal flares if those are allowed in your area. Anything to alert people that you’re there and need help. In the same vein, bright flashlights that can flash on and off to draw attention at night are good too.
SOS in Morse code is three short taps, three long taps and three short taps. . . . - - - . . .
WaywardPeaks@reddit
For after the flood, something to deal with all of the sludge and silt deposited. Hygine and disease from sewage become real issues. Nothing is clean.
davidm2232@reddit
What do you do? Just pressure wash everything then spray with bleach? I can't even imagine trying to clean up from a flood
WishIWasThatClever@reddit
Concrobium is what you want to spray.
Past_Top3704@reddit
that is one solution. But depending on severity, full gut job or full tear down are real options.
Source flood survivor, 7.5 inches main floor. Full gut down to the floor stringers. Know people who's houses were just tore down.
IntoTheCommonestAsh@reddit
What do you recommend to deal with sludge and silt? Shovel & wheelbarrow? I'm not picturing the details of your advice.
polyamy74@reddit
Watching Hoarders and other extreme cleanup shows, snow shovels are used most often. And lots of trash bags and plastic trash bins.
Past_Top3704@reddit
and masks. that stuff is not good to breathe
fishfishbirdbirdcat@reddit
Watching a documentary at about New Orleans Katrina and seeing that one man died because while wading through the flood water, he got a small cut. It became infected and because he was trapped in the arena, he got no treatment and died from sepsis. Antibiotics.
polyamy74@reddit
If you think your home ever has a possibility of flooding (even from plumbing freezing, or breaking), get the flood insurance as your first step. It takes 30 days to kick in. Your regular home or renter's insurance will not cover losses from flooding for any reason. Get the insurance.
RunAcceptableMTN@reddit
Just to be precise. Frozen plumbing and burst pipes from inside your house are covered by regular home or renter's insurance. Sewer backup may be added to regular insurance. Flood water from an external source is not covered (river, lake, stream, storm surge).
polyamy74@reddit
From our experience with USAA, they were not covered. We have a maxed out policy coverage and an umbrella. We had to get an independent adjuster to prove it wasn't from any sort of flooding, internal or external in order for coverage to kick in. Ours ended up being damage from sideways rain coming in attic vents.
That was eye opening for us, and we had the discussion with USAA, and ended up getting federal flood coverage through another company.
RunAcceptableMTN@reddit
My mother in law had a frozen pipe in her attic that ruptured and flooded her house for eight hours - covered. A family at my church had a cat turn on a water faucet while they were out of town, flooded their house for two days - covered.
dj_boy-Wonder@reddit
Wrote a long thing and realised no one would read it… Ok let’s shorten this 1 work out how fucked you in particular are with inundation maps (city council) 2: work out how you’ll leave and get warning of a flood before the fuckening happens and what shit you’ll need to take (docs, important shit, keep a go bag) 3: prep heavy on water solutions - potable water gets annihilated in a flood 4: if you’re in the “totally fucked zone” move to a place in town that won’t be fucked be floods. 5: if you don’t want to leave and want to try an sandbag or whatever then at least keep a modest stash of floaties to help all the other people who were similarly inclined to watch all their shit get wrecked. - it’s a flood dude you’re not coming home to your house intact
Subtotal9_guy@reddit
I have a flood box. It's a plastic bin with a small utility sump pump and hose, extension cords and a wet dry shop vac.
Having it all in one spot makes any small flooding in the basement easy to deal with.
I also have a sump pump and a gas generator to power it in an outage. This year I'm adding a discharge hose to help get water away from the house. Right now I'm just relying on the sloping landscaping.
EnergyLantern@reddit
What people don't understand is when there is enough water to make a flood, people can lose power so that a sump pump can't be run.
I've also been in the hardware stores after a flood and there were people looking for backup sump pump batteries because theirs failed.
I also had a neighbor who had a flash flood, and he had no time to set anything up.
It would be helpful to think about getting a generator so you can operate your sump pumps and provide electricity when the power is out.
Subtotal9_guy@reddit
This is exactly what happened to my neighbors, their backup batteries went bad. The other neighbor was in the middle of replacing their pump when the storm hit.
I dragged over my generator and that powered they ran extension cords which kept them okay.
Active-Weakness2326@reddit
Biggest thing people overlook is documents. Get everything in a waterproof bag or scan it all to cloud storage now before you need to. Insurance papers, IDs, mortgage stuff, medical records. After a flood you're going to need those fast and they will be gone.
For bug in, water contamination is the real danger. Floodwater gets into everything. Have a way to purify water that doesn't depend on your tap being safe because it probably won't be for a while after.
RunAcceptableMTN@reddit
Agree. This. Have worked at disaster recovery centers and the busiest booths were vital records (birth, marriage certificates), DMV, and vision screening/prescriptions.
NoCode196@reddit
This.
MrMaker1123@reddit
If you have to bug in, think about what you need for 72 hours or maybe more. If you can't evacuate you'll need a radio to call for help
chicagotodetroit@reddit
There's an evacuation order as of this morning in a flood zone. They explicitly said that if you choose not to evacuate, first responders are NOT risking their lives to come save you. You can call for help, but no one is coming.
Serious question: I'm also pretty sure that my little walkie talkie signal isn't getting picked up by the fire dept; do you have recommendations on the type of radio that would be needed for this?
EnergyLantern@reddit
I recommend you check the weather beforehand because that is prevention. You also want to listen to what the authorities tell you to do and evacuate if the authorities tell you to evacuate. I put website links in bold:
Flood Safety Tips and Resources
There is a website for Texas and the advice that they give:
Floods(Texas Ready dot Gov)
Texas also has a supply checklist:
Build A Kit
I have a cell phone that has satellite connectivity if the phone lines don't work.
I have a ham radio license and ham radio has more licenses than GMRS.. You can also look at GMRS where you can buy a license and there is FRS, MURS and CB which do not require a license. Someone has to be listening, or those radios won't help you very much. In a storm, some people are going to be more worried about their own homes than listening to the radio.
You can look at community groups and what they have in mind to do for storm preparedness and also stick with them so that you all go through emergencies together unless you are told to evacuate.
You might want to invest in a whistle or personal safety alarm because you can only yell so long before you lose your voice. There are flashlights that float and there are flashlights that have an SOS mode.
You might want to look into lanyards so you can have your hands free.
You might also want to look into radios that are water resistant and waterproof. You might also want to look into pouches that will keep your gear dry. There are also flashlights that float.
If you really do live in a flood plain, you might want to invest in at least a life vest that can help you float on the water. I believe I've even seen life vests sold at Walmart, but you want one that is rated and approved by the coast guard:
Best Rated and Reviewed in Life Jackets & Vests - Walmart.com
The last major hurricane people had brought flood waters past boundaries that people knew from past experiences that were under water.
HalcyonKnights@reddit
As far as prep that's unique to flooding, some sort of boat that fits your family and bob's would make sense, If you have the budget, an inflatable raft cant really sink in rough water the way a fishing dingy or canoe might. The actual emergency ones pack down relatively small and have compressed gas tanks to inflate them quickly.
Beyond that it's not really different from any other shelter-in-place prep where you need to account for a disruption of food, power, and medical aid for days to weeks.
EnergyLantern@reddit
That is true. I talked to emergency responders that had a different job. I asked them what would have happened if they didn't go out and the man said the people they rescued would have probably drowned.
dittybopper_05H@reddit
Inflatable boats and rafts can be easily puncture by debris in a flood, and because flood waters are often opaque you won’t necessarily be able to see areas that are dangerous.
You should not be venturing out into rough flood waters unless your life is in immediate jeopardy and you have no other choice, regardless of what type of vessel you have. And you’d better have good PFDs, and actually wear them.
HalcyonKnights@reddit
That's fair, I meant the kind intended for actual emergencies and whitewater conditions, not just a recreational one.
dittybopper_05H@reddit
Even those. You might run up against a rock, maybe a tree trunk in whitewater.
Generally you don't have to worry about things like jagged, torn metal or potentially broken glass.
Besides which, floods are more dangerous than whitewater, and the typical person doesn't have the experience with it. Hell, I've done a little bit of whitewater many years ago and I'm pretty sure I'd get tossed from any inflatable boat/raft and probably killed even if I had a PFD in flood waters like they had in Western NC a year or so ago.
HalcyonKnights@reddit
Oh, I agree that it would be hell, I'd just rather a raft than being stuck sitting on the roof waiting for a helicopter.
Past_Top3704@reddit
when my town flooded people (read law enforcement) were able to travel with jet skis. not much draw and easily maneuverable. Deputy sheriff brought a family member back to their house to rescue their cat. and drove right up to the back door. small fishing boats, kayaks, and canoes were also common. law enforcement also used fan boats.
Grendle1972@reddit
DEADFLY6@reddit
I hate to state the obvious. A boat. Really. Im not joking. Get a boat and stock it with supplies. Be prepared to rescue some people along the way. And for first responders to procure it once you hit dry land. No since stocking up your house with food if its just gonna get swept away or flooded out.
rbprepin@reddit
There have been a lot of great answers already, just be careful with generic answers.
If you live nearby a dam, that's a lot different living in a flood plain. Do you have kids or a spouse? Do you travel for work? Do you have pets? Rent or own? How many vehicles and trailers do you have access to? Are you rural or near a city? Spring or Winter?
It's worth taking some time to study your area, know the threats and think through a evacuation plan that fits you. Then do the same for various scenarios. A lot of scenarios will have similar responses, but many will be unique to the situation.
Most importantly, make sure you share the plan with loves ones so everyone is on the same page.
silasmoeckel@reddit
You circumstances matter.
I'm 900f above sea level and everything flows away from my house. 300f ish away there is a pond but it's over 100f lower than me. So I'm not worried about being in the flow of a flood (if I am there is an ark floating by). My town is pretty much a ridgeline so not much worries about getting around, a couple spots water over road could lead to wash outs. Well water and septic so good there.
Now if your in a valley with city water it's a whole different set of circumstances. Water is a big one with boil orders at best. Well check that's it's a sanitary well cap and even then it gets sketchy if it's flooded until it's remediated.
Pando5280@reddit
Sand bags were one of mine. Had an irrigation ditch flood during a massive rain storm that put standing water 6 inches from my lower level sliding glass door. Realized very quickly having sand bags would have allowed me to negate what would be a very big problem had that rain not stopped when it did. (also realized a shovel was going to be my new best friend as I had a lot of work to do on my irrigation ditches)
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
They are expensive but Quick Dam are amazing. Anyone can set them up and you don't have to do the labor of filling sand bags.
whats_in_the_boxlady@reddit
Dont live in a place that has EVER flooded before. My house is on a hill. If I got flooded, I will be finding Noah.
delatour56@reddit
it depends on the flood i guess. If money is not an option then raising the house helps. there was this guy in NC who said that people made fun of him because he raised the house to the height of a once in a thousand year flood and poof it happened. his house was a foot higher then the 15 foot water level.
if its smaller flood those water filled flood barriers help a lot.
the_area_intel@reddit
Few things:
Know your exact flood zone and what's between you and high ground. You can pull up FEMA's flood map tool (msc.fema.gov), punch in your address, and look at the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. That tells you whether you're in an evac-likely zone or if bugging in is realistic.
For evacuation:
For bug-in during flooding:
The biggest gap I see when people prep for floods is they don't actually know the specific risks at their address. Your county's hazard mitigation plan (usually a public PDF) will tell you historical flood data, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and planned evacuation corridors for your exact area.
DeafHeretic@reddit
Location, location, location.
I have lived in the PNW most of my life (going on 72 years). Floods are common here most winters.
When I shopped to buy my first house/land, I automatically disregarded anything that had a remote chance of a flood.
I live on a mountain. I get twice the rain that the valley gets, but I never worry about flood - all the rain drains downhill into the valley where it collects.
I may have to evacuate due to forest fires (I did in 2020), but not for a flood.
shyshyshy014@reddit
Scan your documents. I use CamScanner because the one on my phone doesn't really do it. Unplug everything, put everything on top if it helps especially your fridge and TV, unplug everything, make sure to wear rainboots and don't wade in the water if possible. Check if you have any cuts, make sure it doesn't touch floodwater.
davidm2232@reddit
I am personally at zero risk of a flood. But, if I was in a flood prone area, I would have my boat ready to go. I would probably roll it into the garage tongue first. If the water ever got so high, I could just get in the boat and float out and drive to safety. It would be easy to have a few coolers and a some plastic totes for food, drinks, clothing, and essentials. A water alarm could trigger if water got to a certain level which showed you would need to get into the boat.
Affectionate_Goat372@reddit
Michigan?
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
Sand bags
PrisonerV@reddit
Know your surroundings. Like even during the great flood of 2011, my biggest worry was a rising water table and basement flooding. My sump was kicking on every day and a rain storm was nerve wrecking. We put everything up on pallets and bricks in the basement.
Got a second dirty water pump and hose for just in case. Modified my shop vac so I could drain it easily without constant dumping.
Are you in a flood prone home?
joshisnobody@reddit
How much flooding? 2 inchesor 2ft or 20ft? Do you have flood insurance? Is your house suitable for a sump pump to try and deal with the first few inches of water? Have you considered sandbags to barricade doors? Also, must vacuum pack bags are waterproof if you can stuff them before the water endters
Additional_Insect_44@reddit
Life jacket
Maleficent_Ad9632@reddit
A life jacket
Ubockinme@reddit
Raft
No_Gear_1093@reddit
Knowing which areas are more prone to flooding. Making sure your home is far away from said areas. A flooded road can be a real pain in the butt.
fenuxjde@reddit
Water.
Seriously.