Did you know that one in five Texans live on a floodplain? Furthermore, the risk of flash flooding is increasing yearly due to climate-change factors like increased precipitation, stronger hurricanes, and rising sea levels, all coupled with a rapidly expanding Texas population.
In this handy guide, we’ll explain how to prepare for a flood using a range of short-term and long-term measures. We’ll also explore some flash flood safety tips and best practices.
How to prepare for a flood
While flooding can have severe consequences, you can take several proactive steps to protect your home and family members.
The good news is that many households are eligible for financial relief through the National Flood Insurance Program. Private policies are also readily available. But for most residents, figuring out how to prevent flooding, reduce risk, and improve safety are top priorities. Here’s a comprehensive list of suggestions and best practices to follow.
Create a flood emergency kit
Keeping a well-equipped flood emergency kit in a cool, dry place that’s easily accessible and known to all household members is highly recommended. Your kit should include:
- Water – Aim to have at least one gallon per person daily for at least three days.
- Food – Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items like canned goods, ready meals, and protein bars are ideal. Don’t forget to account for baby formula, pet food, etc.
- First Aid Supplies – Essential items include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and prescription medications.
- Heat Sources – A mini stove or portable water heater provides extra heat in the event of a blackout and is also helpful should you need to boil drinking water.
- Power – Pack plenty of flashlights, batteries, and portable chargers for electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets.
- Documents – Keep all important documents like ID cards, passports, insurance policies, and medical records in a waterproof container that’s easy to grab if you need to evacuate immediately.
Flood proof your home
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a 100% flood-proof house. However, there are several strategies for making your home more resistant to water. Let’s take a look at a range of short-term and long-term solutions.
Short-term actions
- Secure outdoor items – Anchor or store outdoor furniture, grills, and other yard equipment to prevent them from becoming projectiles in strong floodwaters.
- Minimize temporary overflow – Regularly clear gutters, drains, and downspouts to minimize the risk of excess water entering your home.
- Store electrical equipment sensibly – Always disconnect electrical appliances and place them above potential flood levels when not in use.
- Keep a stock of sandbags – They can significantly reduce the amount of water that enters your home. Sandbags are also effective for quickly sealing off vulnerable points like doors and windows,
- Know where your shut-offs are – Quickly shutting off the valves that supply gas, water, and electricity to your home can prevent additional damage.
Long-term modifications
- Elevate your home – Although an extreme measure, Flood Protection Elevation (FPE) is one of the most common retrofitting methods in flood-prone areas.
- Landscape your yard – Modify the grading around your property to direct water away from the foundations and plant vegetation strategically. This will act as a natural barrier and absorb excess water.
- Install flood barriers – Whether you choose permanent structures or deployable systems that can be implemented as needed, barriers and levees divert water from your property.
- Waterproof your basement – Apply sealants and waterproofing to walls and floors. Consider installing a sump pump to redirect any water that accumulates away from the foundations.
- Reinforce your foundations – Materials like reinforced concrete provide additional support, meaning the base structure of your home can withstand higher water pressure.
Create a flood preparedness checklist
Your flood plan should be tailored toward your home and locality. After all, how do you stay safe during a flood if the information and guidelines you’re following aren’t specifically relevant to you? Here are a few essential factors to consider when compiling your flood preparedness checklist.
Risk assessment
- Historical data – What is the frequency and severity of floods in your region?
- Bodies of water – How close is your home to rivers, streams, or other bodies of water prone to flooding?
- Drainage – Are there any areas around your home with poor drainage or low-lying spots susceptible to flooding?
- Vulnerabilities – Are there any weak points in your property, such as basement windows, entry points, or areas prone to erosion?
Staying informed
- Monitor weather forecasts – Especially during periods of heavy rainfall or storm activity.
- Utilize flood alerts – Allow for timely action by subscribing to local flood alerts and warning systems that provide notification services.
- Think local – Local authority channels are usually the first to notify residents when extreme caution or immediate evacuation is required.
- Download weather apps – These often provide crucial information about road closures and driving conditions.
Compiling emergency contact lists
- Local services – Ensure all household members have access to a list of local emergency service contacts, including police, fire department, and medical services.
- Statewide services – The Texas Division of Emergency Management often coordinates disaster management between state and local emergency teams.
- Neighbors and community contacts – In times of crisis, neighbors can provide immediate assistance and support to one another.
- Relatives and friends – Those living outside the immediate area can serve as essential contact points and support during evacuations and emergencies.
Creating an evacuation plan
- Routes – Identify primary and alternative evacuation routes from your home to higher ground or designated shelters.
- Meeting points – Establish predetermined places for your family members to convene in case of separation.
- Family drills – Doing practice runs for a flood can make things smoother and less stressful if a real emergency happens.
- Documentation – Keeping a quick reference guide for family flood safety in an easy-to-grab place helps everyone know what to do in an emergency.
How to stay safe during a flood
Preparedness should be coupled with swift, informed action during a flood to ensure personal, household, and community safety. So, let’s round off with a list of general best practices for what to do during a flood if your worst-case scenario plans turn into a real-life situation.
- Activate your flood plan – Don’t delay retrieving and utilizing your flood emergency kit and emergency contact checklist, which should be easily accessible and updated at all times.
- Avoid floodwaters – Whether on foot or in a vehicle, even shallow-looking water can be deceptive and often hides dangerous debris or strong currents.
- Avoid live electricity – Refrain from using appliances, electronics, and gadgets, and stay away from power lines to prevent electrocution.
- Find higher ground – Avoid low-lying areas and valleys, and move to higher elevations immediately if a flood looks imminent.
- Heed evacuation orders – If authorities issue emergency alerts, adhere to them promptly. Your safety is the top priority.
- Assist the vulnerable – Offer assistance to elderly and disabled individuals to ensure their safety during evacuation.
- Find safe refuge – Avoid makeshift shelters and structures. Instead, seek shelter in a sturdy building or designated evacuation center.
- After the flood – Even after the floodwaters recede, exercise extreme caution when returning home, remaining mindful of potential hazards and damage.
Why is flood safety important?
Knowing what to do during a flood is essential because floods, particularly flash floods, directly threaten human lives. Flood waters can surge without warning, so preparedness is critical. Plus, beyond the immediate impact of injuries and fatalities, floods can lead to extensive property damage and flooded roads that disrupt communities and strain the resources needed for recovery.
The greatest potential for flooding in Texas is in the northern and central regions, close to the state’s most hilly and mountainous areas. However, that doesn’t mean residents in southern parts of the Lone Star State are immune. Let’s briefly look at some of the most significant flooding events over the last few years:
Understanding flood risks
Knowing the characteristics and risks of various flood-related phenomena is vital in keeping homes and communities safe when emergency alerts are issued:
- Flash Floods – Short periods of intense rainfall can quickly overwhelm infrastructure, posing significant threats to life and property. Sometimes, residents are left with only hours – or even minutes – to safeguard their homes, families, pets, etc.
- Flooded Rivers – Burst riverbanks displace local communities and destroy bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure, hindering access to emergency services.
- Flooded Roads – Aside from the immediate threat to motorists when individuals attempt to traverse hazardous conditions, overflowing storm drains spread debris across the landscape. They also disrupt the movement of goods and emergency services.
- Landslides – Heavily flooded areas can create landslides. The cascading debris poses a secondary hazard by increasing the risk of property damage and casualties.
- Downed Power Lines – Some blackouts due to flood damage are to be expected. However, risks increase when live power lines connect with water, necessitating extra caution to prevent injuries.
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