Right now
Move to higher ground.
If told to evacuate, do it. Do not drive through flooded roads. Do not walk through moving water. Flood water is contaminated and dangerous.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If evacuation is ordered
Leave immediately. Take your medications, documents, phone, and water. Follow the routes designated by local authorities. Do not drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow. Road surfaces may be washed out underneath.
If you are at home and water is rising
Move to the highest floor. Do not go into a closed attic where you could be trapped by rising water. Turn off electricity at the main breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water. If water has reached the panel, or you would have to step into standing water to get to it, leave it alone and call an electrician or your power company. Never touch electrical equipment, or turn power on or off, while standing in water.
If you are driving
Turn around, don't drown. Do not judge depth by eye. Six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, a foot of water can float most cars, and two feet can carry away an SUV or truck. Do not drive around barricades. If floodwater rises around your car but is not moving, get out and move to higher ground on foot. Do not step into moving water. If water is moving fast around the car, stay inside, and climb onto the roof only if water rises into the car. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
If water has entered your home
Do not wade through flooded rooms. Flood water contains sewage, chemicals, sharp debris, and possibly animals. If you must move through water, use a stick to check the depth and footing ahead of you.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Wait for the all-clear
Do not return to flooded areas until authorities confirm it is safe. Hidden hazards like downed power lines, weakened structures, and contaminated water persist after water recedes.
Do not drink tap water
Until local authorities confirm the water supply is safe, use bottled or stored water. Boil advisories are common after major flooding.
Clean up carefully
Wear gloves, boots, and a mask during cleanup. Everything touched by flood water should be considered contaminated. Throw away food that came in contact with flood water, including canned goods with damaged labels. If you use a gasoline-powered pump, generator, or pressure washer to clear water or dry the house, run it outdoors only, at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent. These engines give off carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that reaches deadly levels indoors, and opening a window or running a fan does not clear it. Running one inside a basement, garage, or enclosed space is a common and preventable cause of death after a flood.
Watch for mold
Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours in wet conditions. Dry out your home as quickly as possible. Remove saturated carpet, drywall, and insulation.
Sources: Ready.gov Floods, NWS Flood Safety, FEMA Flood Fact Sheet, NWS Turn Around Don't Drown, 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.