Before the Flood
Floods occur when rain, melting snow, or even a dam break, produces more water than the land can readily absorb. Before flood warnings are issued in your area, make these helpful preparations:

• Keep an up-to-date home inventory and other important papers in a secure place. If you must evacuate, take these items with you. Also, keep exact copies in a place away from home, such as a bank safety deposit box.

• Check with local authorities to identify the best escape routes. Highlight these roads on an up-to-date map for quick and handy reference.

• Utility services may be disrupted during floods. Stock non-perishable food that requires little or no cooking. Buy bottled water or prepare jugs for filling with water.

• Check portable radios and flashlights. Make sure you have new batteries on hand.

• Keep your car's gas tank filled. Also, keep oil and gas tanks for your home heating system filled. This will help keep them from coming loose and causing damage to the foundation.

• Using plastic sheeting and a staple gun, cover basement window wells and the lower parts of doors. This may reduce the water damage, especially in low-water flooding situations.

During the Flood
Annually, flash floods kill more people than any other natural disaster. Further, more people drown in their cars than anywhere else, according to FEMA. If rising waters threaten, follow these tips:

• If time permits, place valuables, food, water, and other essentials on the second floor of your home, or as high as possible.

• Leave immediately when authorities tell you to evacuate. Delay can trap you without an escape route. Because flooding changes the way areas and landmarks look, you can become disoriented easily.

• Before leaving your home, unplug appliances and turn off the electricity at your circuit breaker or fuse box.

• Do not walk through flowing water. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can knock down an adult.

• Because water depth on the road can be deceptive, do not drive through flooded areas or around barricades. Two feet of water can float a car. Six inches of water can stall or damage new cars with low engine air intakes.

• Be especially careful when traveling through flooded areas at night. It is more difficult to see flood dangers in the dark.

After the Flood
As with any disaster, recovering from a flood can be stressful to a community and its residents. Although your area may avoid actual flood waters, lack of public services and disruption to work, education, and similar routines can widen the impact of flooding.

• Stay away from disaster areas while rescue and other emergency operations are taking place.

• When you return home, throw away fresh food, cosmetics, medicine, etc. that flood water may have soaked. Also, do not use or drink water that flood water may have contaminated.

• Be alert to downed electrical wires and gas leaks. Electricity travels through water, so report downed wires as soon as possible.

• Even unplugged, some appliances, such as televisions, can cause a shock. Also, before using electrical devices and heating and air conditioning equipment, have a trained professional check them. The damage may not be obvious if the equipment was under water or exposed to moisture.

• Contact your insurance representative as soon as possible. Document the damage with photos. Keep evidence of damage and loss for the claims adjuster.