Monitor the National Weather Service's reports on television, radio or online. Stay alert for a flood watch or flood warning. A flood watch means favorable conditions exist for a flood developing. A flood warning means that a flood is imminent within 30 minutes to an hour. Have a battery-powered radio on hand in case the electricity fails.
Respond to a flood watch by securing your home, unless you are advised to evacuate immediately. If possible, move furniture and important items to an upper floor of your house or building. Plug bathtub drains and disconnect electrical appliances. Turn off your utility connections at the main switch if advised to do so by emergency officials. However, you should not touch any electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in any water, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
Evacuate your home if instructed by emergency officials. Drive or walk to higher ground. Do not try to drive or walk though moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock a person off of his feet, while a foot of rushing water will sweep away many vehicles, according to FEMA.
Turn around and drive away from flood water if you are in a vehicle and the rising waters of a flash flood are in front of you. If this is impossible, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground as quickly as you can.
Maintain a supply of safe, potable water in case of a flood. Never drink flood water under any circumstances. It is filled with bacteria and may cause disease.
