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Small town beside a swollen river under grey clouds

There is a flood warning for our area

River levels are rising and the warning app reports a flood – what counts now is the time before the water arrives.

First

  1. Follow warnings and instructions from the authorities (radio, warning app, official websites).
  2. Never walk or drive through flood water – even shallow, moving water can sweep people and vehicles away.
  3. Have your go bag, documents and medication ready to grab.
  4. If an evacuation is ordered: leave at once, do not wait.

Call emergency services if

  • People in the water or cut off by water
  • A building or vehicle is being caught by the water
  • Injury
  • People needing care cannot be brought to safety in time

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What is happening

A flood warning rarely comes out of nowhere: usually it has been raining for days, snow is melting or a severe storm with heavy rain is passing through. On large rivers the water often rises over hours to days, and the authorities can predict fairly well when which level will be reached. Heavy local rain is different: small streams, ditches and streets can turn into torrents within minutes – even where nobody ever expected a flood.

Moving water is the main danger. It is murky; you cannot see potholes, washed-out road surfaces, open manholes or debris. Even a little fast-flowing water can knock an adult over, and a car starts to float sooner than most people think – the US National Weather Service gives water depths of roughly 15 cm (6 inches) for a person and roughly 30 cm (1 foot) for a car. Many flood deaths happen in vehicles, underpasses, underground car parks and basements.

The most common misjudgement: “The water has never come up this far here.” Past floods are no reliable yardstick, and water often rises in surges. Anyone who waits too long finds the roads already flooded, the power cut and the mobile network overloaded. A second classic is wanting to clear out the basement quickly – water can break in very suddenly, doors can hardly be opened against the water pressure, and submerged electrics are deadly.

What realistically matters most: be informed early, move valuable and vital things upstairs in good time, never walk or drive through water, and leave at once when an evacuation is ordered. Property can be replaced; a life cannot.

Step by step

  1. Phase 1

    As soon as the warning comes

    • Keep an eye on river levels, the warning app and the radio; read the authorities' advice for your area, not just headlines.
    • Put your go bag, ID, important documents, medication, chargers and cash in one place.
    • Charge your phone and power banks; have torches and a battery-powered radio ready.
    • Agree within the household: who takes whom, where you will go, who is the contact person outside the area?
    • Check on neighbours who may need help (older people, people with disabilities, single parents).

  2. Phase 2

    When the water is coming

    • Move valuables, documents and electrical devices to upper floors – but only while the basement and ground floor are dry and safe.
    • Move your car out of underground garages and low ground to higher areas in good time, while roads are still clear.
    • Do not enter basements or rooms where water is coming in – electricity and water are a deadly combination.
    • Switch off power at the breaker panel only if it is dry and can be reached safely; never touch anything electrical with wet feet or standing in water.
    • If water is rising in the house: go to an upper floor, not into an attic without an exit, and call the emergency number if you are cut off.

  3. Phase 3

    During evacuation or on the road

    • When ordered, leave at once, use the routes named and respect barriers.
    • Never drive or walk through flooded roads, underpasses or over bridges with water flowing across them – turn around and find another way.
    • If your car stalls in water and the water is rising: undo the seatbelt, get out and go to higher ground if this is safe; otherwise climb onto the roof and call the emergency number.
    • Briefly tell your contact person where you are going; keep the network free for emergency calls.

  4. Phase 4

    When the water recedes

    • Only return when the authorities allow it; do not enter buildings with visible damage to walls or foundations.
    • Only switch the power back on once a qualified electrician has checked the installation.
    • Wear rubber boots, gloves and eye protection for clean-up – mud and water are usually contaminated with sewage, oil or chemicals.
    • Follow drinking-water advisories; throw away food that has been in contact with flood water.
    • Photograph the damage before cleaning up and notify your insurer.
    • Ventilate and dry soaked rooms well to prevent mould.

What to watch out for

  • Basements, underground car parks, underpasses

    Water often rises fastest and most suddenly here, and doors can hardly be opened against the water pressure. Once water is rising, do not go in – not even to save the car or supplies.

  • Electricity in the water

    Water in rooms with sockets or appliances may be live. Do not go in unless you are sure the power is off; keep well away from fallen lines.

  • Hidden dangers below the surface

    Murky water hides open manholes, washed-out roads, debris and currents. What looks calm on top can pull hard underneath.

  • Heating oil and chemicals

    Heating oil tanks and canisters can float up and leak, contaminating the house and surroundings. If you have an oil tank, clarify how it is secured with professionals in advance; if you smell oil or gas, do not go in.

  • Carbon monoxide during clean-up

    Generators, fuel-powered dryers and grills never belong in living spaces, basements or garages – carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless. Never connect a generator to the house wiring yourself; this also endangers helpers and utility workers.

  • Contaminated water

    Flood water almost always contains sewage and pollutants. Protect and thoroughly clean wounds, wash your hands and do not let children play in the water.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting to see “whether it really gets that bad” instead of using the time before the water arrives.
  • Driving a car through a flooded road or underpass.
  • Quickly going down to the basement or underground garage when the water is already rising.
  • Switching the power back on yourself after the water recedes, without a professional check.
  • Watching the flood as a spectator from riverbanks and bridges.
  • Returning before the authorities have cleared the area.

Prepare in advance

  • Find out whether you live in a flood or heavy-rain risk area (official hazard maps).
  • Keep a go bag and a document folder (also backed up digitally) ready to grab.
  • Install a warning app and enable notifications for your location.
  • Do not store valuable or irreplaceable things in the basement.
  • Learn how to switch off the breaker panel and main valves – and whether they can be reached dry in an emergency.
  • Check your insurance cover for natural hazards and document valuables with photos.

Special consideration

Children and pets
Children are often drawn to water – explain clearly that flood water is not a playground. Get pets into carriers early and pack food; do not leave animals tied up.
People needing care and essential medication
Anyone who relies on help, power for devices or regular medication should leave early. Involve the care service, relatives or neighbours in good time.

Sources

  • Floods · Ready.gov – U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Turn Around Don't Drown · NOAA National Weather Service (USA)
  • Ratgeber für Notfallvorsorge und richtiges Handeln in Notsituationen · Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK), Deutschland
  • A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Your situation

Situation
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Matching entries

0 rules apply

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Basics for this situation

Why: Always applies to this situation – regardless of your answers.

All rules of this situation (7)

  1. [not active] If Situation = Warning, water not here yet

    Use the time before the water arrives: pack the go bag, secure documents and agree who in the household does what.

  2. [not active] If Situation = Water rising nearby and Where you are = At home

    Move to higher floors or higher ground. Only operate the breaker panel if it is dry and can be reached safely.

  3. [not active] If Situation = Evacuation ordered

    Leave at once and use the routes named by the authorities. Inform your contact person.

  4. [not active] If Situation = Water receding

    Only return when the authorities allow it. Flood water is almost always contaminated; follow drinking-water advisories.

  5. [not active] If Where you are = On the road by car

    Never drive on flooded roads. Turn around and find another way.

  6. [not active] If Household = Children or pets

    Involve children in the preparations and plan for pets with a carrier and food.

  7. [not active] If Household = People needing care or essential medication

    Pack medication and aids first. If someone needs help to leave the home, arrange support early.