Floods and Your Family
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Floods are one of the most common, and most costly, natural disasters. Preparing now for flood situations can minimize injury to yourself and your family and speed the recovery process. Use this checklist to prepare your family before, during, and after a flood situation.Floods and Your Family [PDF] |
Determine the risk of flooding in your area.
Interactive State Flooding Information Map
Click on a state to learn more about the types of flooding that has occurred there.
National Weather Service
Click on a state to learn more about the types of flooding that has occurred there.
National Weather Service
Water Watch: Map of Flood and High Flow Conditions
Map showing current flood or high flow conditions in the United States.
U.S. Geological Survey
Map showing current flood or high flow conditions in the United States.
U.S. Geological Survey
Know the Terminology
Flood Watch: Be Prepared! Conditions are favorable for flooding.
Flood Warning: Take Action! Flooding is imminent or already happening.
Flash Flood Watch: Be Prepared! Conditions are favorable for flash flooding - typically within 6-48 hours.
Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! Flash flooding is imminent or occurring. Move immediately to high ground.
More Flood Preparedness Factsheets
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• Flood Impact Information |
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• Floods and Your Home [PDF] |
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• Floods and Your Pets [PDF] • Floods and Your Livestock [PDF] |
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• Floods and Your Farm [PDF] • Floods and Your Crops [PDF] |
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• Floods and Your Business [PDF] |
Additional Resources
After a Flood: The First Steps
Steps to take immediately after a flood situation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Steps to take immediately after a flood situation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Be Red Cross Ready: Flood Safety Checklist
Checklist of actions to take before, during and after a flood to protect you and your family.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Checklist of actions to take before, during and after a flood to protect you and your family.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
Website with links to specific disaster cleanup and hazard topics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website with links to specific disaster cleanup and hazard topics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach After an Emergency
Recommendations and safety tips for using bleach for cleaning and sanitizing after an emergency.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Recommendations and safety tips for using bleach for cleaning and sanitizing after an emergency.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleaning Flood-Soiled Clothing and Bedding
Factsheet on cleaning and salvaging clothing and bedding damaged by flood waters.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Factsheet on cleaning and salvaging clothing and bedding damaged by flood waters.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Dealing with Flooding
Website of resources for planning for and recovery from flood situations.
Iowa State University Extension
Website of resources for planning for and recovery from flood situations.
Iowa State University Extension
Emergency Preparedness and Response: Floods
CDC's main website of flood preparedness, response and recovery information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC's main website of flood preparedness, response and recovery information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
First Steps to Flood Recovery
Website containing information on various recovery measures following a flood.
Purdue Univeristy Extension
Website containing information on various recovery measures following a flood.
Purdue Univeristy Extension
Flood Information
NDSU-Extension flood preparedness and recovery website - contains factsheets, weblinks, podcasts and more.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
NDSU-Extension flood preparedness and recovery website - contains factsheets, weblinks, podcasts and more.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Flood Information: Family and Children
Website with links to information for families during and after flood situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Website with links to information for families during and after flood situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Flood Preparedness and Response: Strategies for Families
Factsheet on preparedness measures to take before a flood situation to protect your family.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Factsheet on preparedness measures to take before a flood situation to protect your family.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Flood Safety
Webpage with general information on how to prepare for a flood.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Webpage with general information on how to prepare for a flood.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Flood Warning vs. Watch
Website discussing the differences in flood watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
National Weather Service
Website discussing the differences in flood watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
National Weather Service
Hazards and Threats Preparedness Resources
Website with numerous factsheets on topics for recovering from various all-hazard situations.
Louisiana State University Ag Center
Website with numerous factsheets on topics for recovering from various all-hazard situations.
Louisiana State University Ag Center
Key Facts about Flood Readiness
Basic steps to take to prepare for a flood, including emergency supplies you may need.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Basic steps to take to prepare for a flood, including emergency supplies you may need.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Insurance Claims Handbook
Link to a claims guide to help individuals through the process of fling a claim and appealing a claim decision.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Link to a claims guide to help individuals through the process of fling a claim and appealing a claim decision.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Natural Disasters: Flooding
EPA's main webpage of resources on flood related hazards and measures to protect yourself and your family.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA's main webpage of resources on flood related hazards and measures to protect yourself and your family.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
Food safety tips following natural disaster situations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Food safety tips following natural disaster situations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Protect Yourself From Chemicals Released During a Natural Disaster
Information on protecting yourself from chemical exposure during flood situations, includes hotline numbers for Poison Control and the EPA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Information on protecting yourself from chemical exposure during flood situations, includes hotline numbers for Poison Control and the EPA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Protect Yourself from Mold
Factsheet of measures for protecting yourself and your family from mold hazards after a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Factsheet of measures for protecting yourself and your family from mold hazards after a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Ready.gov: Floods
Main website for FEMAs Ready America Program containing flood preparedness tips and resources.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Main website for FEMAs Ready America Program containing flood preparedness tips and resources.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Returning Home Safelty
Website with information on what to do when returning home after a flood.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Website with information on what to do when returning home after a flood.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Salvaging Food After a Flood: Safety Measures in the Kitchen and Garden
Factsheet on food safety issues after a flood situation.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Factsheet on food safety issues after a flood situation.
University of Wisconsin Extension