Regardless of your beliefs around climate change, what we do know for certain is that floods are now more common. This is true throughout much of the world, but particularly in the US. Increased urbanization and this higher risk is bringing more homes into the risk zones, which means that people who have never thought much about flooding before suddenly need to.

Understand Your Specific Flood Risk

Knowing your specific vulnerability is worthwhile, because in some rare situations, you may have almost no real risk. Checking if your home or business is located in a floodplain, or that your current area isn’t equipped to deal with flooding (e.g. poor drainage), is important. It’s possible to consult official resources like FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, or perhaps check your local municipality’s planning department, as this can help assess your property’s risk level. A common issue is that some local governments are not equipped because they’ve historically not suffered from floods, but times are changing…

Safe Recovery and Cleanup

The best way to understand how to prepare before a flood, is to first look at what we need to do during and after one. That way, we can simulate the event and get what we need.

Recovery begins when authorities deem it safe to return – don’t overestimate your own judgement. Approach buildings cautiously and check for structural damage, like major cracks. Avoid downed power lines entirely, and if possible and safe, turn off main utilities.

Before cleaning, thoroughly document all damage with photos and videos for insurance claims. During cleanup, wear protective gear like gloves, boots and masks – so buy these in advance. For significant water removal from basements or lower levels, equipment like dirty water submersible pumps can be invaluable and are designed to handle debris-laden water efficiently (unlike clean water pumps).

It’s also important to discard any items contaminated by floodwaters, including porous materials and food. Mold growth is now a big risk and a potential health hazard.

Essential Preparation Measures

So, above are some items you can buy in advance, but there’s also a need for a family emergency plan. This should look at agreed-upon meeting places, perhaps even an out-of-state point of contact, as well as plans for pets (e.g. already be registered at a kennel that isn’t in the flood risk zone) and specific arrangements for family members with medical needs or disabilities.

An emergency kit should have essentials for at least three days, which would be roughly one gallon of water per person, non-perishable food (preferably easy pull tins), a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio, flashlight, extra batteries, some basic first-aid supplies, necessary medications, a multipurpose tool, sanitation items, and copies of vital documents (insurance policies, IDs) stored securely (and a digital backup). Cash is also worth having because floods cause power outages, and payment systems require electricity.

You can go some way to protecting your property by elevating furnaces, water heaters and electrical panels where possible. Installing sewer backflow valves could be a game-changer, but you will also want to consider securing outdoor furniture and other loose items (particularly from wind, which often accompanies floods).

Perhaps the most important thing beyond immediate safety is to review your insurance; standard policies rarely cover flood damage. Look into options like the National Flood Insurance Program.

Building Resilience Together

The rising threat of floods, which is affecting the USA, UK, and most of the world, is asking millions of previously protected people to suddenly become more proactive. We cannot control the weather, but we can control how prepared we are for it. If the time comes, act quickly, decisively, and only return when authorities deem it safe to.