Right now
Get to high ground. Now.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood water. Six inches of moving water can knock you down. Twelve inches can carry a car. Turn around, don't drown.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
At home with water approaching
Move to the highest floor. Do not go into a closed attic where you could become trapped by rising water. If water is entering the ground floor, go up. Take your phone, medications, and water with you. If you need rescue, signal from an upper window or the roof.
Driving
Do not drive through flooded roads. Turn around. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to stall. Twelve inches of moving water can carry a small car. If water is rising around your vehicle and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground on foot. If the water is moving, stay in the vehicle.
Walking or outdoors
Move away from streams, drainage channels, and low-lying areas. Get to higher ground immediately. Do not attempt to cross flowing water on foot. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock an adult off their feet.
Near a creek, river, or canyon
Water can rise with no warning, especially downstream of heavy rain you cannot see. If you notice even a slight rise in water level, move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait to confirm. In canyons, climb to safety rather than trying to outrun the water.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Do not return until cleared
Floodwater contaminates everything it touches. It carries sewage, chemicals, and debris. Do not walk through standing floodwater. Wait for official clearance before returning to a flooded area or building.
Do not touch electrical equipment
If you are in or near water, do not touch electrical equipment or outlets. Do not flip switches. Electrocution is a real danger in flooded buildings. Assume any downed power line is live, and that standing water it touches is energized. Do not walk or drive into flooded areas where a line may be down, and stay well back from any downed line and anything it touches. Report downed lines to your power company.
Check before drinking water
If your water supply may be contaminated by flooding, do not drink tap water until local authorities confirm it is safe. Use bottled water or water you stored before the flood.
Document damage
Take photos of all damage before cleaning up. Do not enter a damaged building until you are sure it is structurally safe. Be alert for gas leaks, downed power lines, and contaminated water.
Sources: Ready.gov Floods, NWS Turn Around Don't Drown, NWS Flood Safety Awareness, FEMA Flood Fact Sheet, CDC Flood Safety. All safety claims verified against primary sources. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
This guide is not professional emergency management advice. It is a plain-language starting point for someone in an active hazard right now.