Flood checklist
Last reviewed 2026-10-21
A short list to help you get ready for floods. It's based on Ready.gov, National Weather Service and FEMA guidance, not advice about any one home.
Before a flood
- Look up your home's FEMA flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Floods happen outside high-risk areas too.Learn more: FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens msc.fema.gov)
- Learn the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning.Learn more: Watches and warnings (opens weather.gov)
- Sign up for emergency alerts from your parish or county.Learn more: How to get alerts (opens ready.gov)
- Ask your insurance agent or company what your policy covers, including whether you have flood insurance.Learn more: About flood insurance (opens floodsmart.gov)
- Ready.gov says homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover flooding.Learn more: Protect your papers and money (opens ready.gov)
- FEMA's FloodSmart.gov says a new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually starts 30 days after you buy it, with some exceptions. Ask your agent when a policy would start.Learn more: FloodSmart: buy a policy (opens floodsmart.gov)
- Keep important papers in a waterproof container. Make password-protected digital copies too.Learn more: Protect your papers (opens ready.gov)
- Move valuable items to higher places in your home.Learn more: Flood safety (opens ready.gov) · LA: Learn more: Flood safety (opens gohsep.la.gov) · FL: Learn more: Flood safety (opens floridadisaster.org)
- Learn how to turn off your home's power, gas and water. If you turn off the gas, only a qualified professional should turn it back on.Learn more: Turn off utilities (opens ready.gov)
When a flood watch or warning is issued
- Follow your local National Weather Service office and local officials.
- If local officials tell you to evacuate, leave right away.Learn more: Evacuation basics (opens ready.gov)
- Never walk, swim or drive through flood water.Learn more: Why flood water is dangerous (opens weather.gov)
- If you're trapped by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Don't climb into a closed attic, because rising water can trap you there. Go on the roof only if you must, and signal for help.Learn more: What to do during a flood (opens weather.gov)
After the flood
- Wait until local officials say it's OK to return.
- Stay out of flood water. It can be dirty, hide sharp objects and carry electricity from downed power lines.Learn more: What to do after a flood (opens weather.gov)
- Stay away from downed power lines. Don't touch electrical equipment if it's wet or if you're standing in water.Learn more: Power outage safety (opens ready.gov)
- Take photos of any damage before you clean up, for your own records.
- If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company or agent.Learn more: How NFIP flood claims work (opens floodsmart.gov)
- For disaster help, check DisasterAssistance.gov and your local officials. Help may be available after some disasters.Learn more: DisasterAssistance.gov (opens disasterassistance.gov)
- Watch for fraud. Don't pay for repairs in full before the work is done. FEMA doesn't charge a fee to apply for disaster help. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.Learn more: Report a scam (opens reportfraud.ftc.gov)
Sources: Ready.gov "Floods" and "Financial Preparedness"; NOAA National Weather Service flood safety; FEMA Flood Map Service Center and FloodSmart.gov; DisasterAssistance.gov; Louisiana GOHSEP; Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Information from US federal and state government agencies and from nonprofit organizations. KAVO360 is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by any of them. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.
General information only. KAVO360 isn't an emergency alert service and doesn't issue watches or warnings. The National Weather Service and your local officials are the official sources. Always follow local officials and evacuation orders.
Want to see what's mapped for your address?
This explains FEMA map labels only. It is not an official FEMA flood zone determination or an elevation certificate. Check the official map at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov).
Find help in your state
We list emergency management and insurance department links for every state, DC and Puerto Rico. For Louisiana and Florida, we also list more detailed resources, and we plan to add more states over time. The national links below have information for all 50 states, DC and US territories.
National resources
- DisasterAssistance.gov (opens disasterassistance.gov): Learn about federal help after a declared disaster.
- FEMA (opens fema.gov): Learn about disaster preparedness and recovery. Checked Oct 21, 2026
- NFIP FloodSmart (opens floodsmart.gov): Learn about flood insurance.
- Ready.gov (opens ready.gov): Learn how to prepare for emergencies.
- National Weather Service (opens weather.gov): See forecasts, watches and warnings.
These links go to government and program websites. KAVO360 isn't affiliated with any of them and doesn't decide who gets help. Each program sets its own rules.