The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends a number of steps to stay safe during emergencies and limit damage from flooding. You should:

• Build an emergency kit for your family containing such items as drinking water and nonperishable food for each member of your family (two-week supply), flashlights, a radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, necessary medications, personal hygiene items and copies of important documents.
• Create a communication plan so family members can reach one another.
• Elevate your furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if live in an area with a high flood risk.
• Consider installing “check valves” to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
• If possible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering your home and seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds.

 If a flood is likely in your area, quick action may be necessary to protect your family and property. You should:

• Get information from the radio or television.
• Move immediately to higher ground if there is any possibility of a flash flood. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• If you need to evacuate, secure your home and move essential items to an upper floor. Turn off utilities if instructed to do so, and disconnect electrical appliances. However, do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water — it can make you fall. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If you are caught in your vehicle in floodwater, abandon your car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

If you have evacuated your home, do not return until authorities tell you it is safe.