Understand Your Flood Risk

• You should learn about the types of flooding that can impact your home and community. Flooding includes flash floods, river floods, storm surges, coastal floods, burn scars, debris flows, ice/debris jams, snowmelt, dry wash, dam breaks, and levee failures.

• Know your home and community’s flood risk. Do you live near a river, stream, lake, or detention basin? Do you live in a low-lying area where flooding is common after severe weather? Does your neighborhood have a history of flooding?

More about preparing for heavy rain and floods

It's important that you and your family members stay safe during heavy rain and flooding events.

• Know who will issue evacuation orders and how you'll know if an evacuation order is given.

• Keep track of weather advisories, watches, and warnings

• Do not drive through flooded roadways.

More about what to do during heavy rain and flooding events

After the rain ends, you need to be sure that it's safe to go back home. Wait until authorities announce that the roads are clear and passable. If you suspect your home or business suffered flood damage, plan to inspect the property, gather items that haven't sustained damage and return to your evacuation housing. Never stay in a flooded property.

More about what to do after the flooding subsides