Floods: How to Stay Safe and Protect Your Family

Flooding is one of the most common hazards in the United States. It happens when water from heavy rain, melting snow, or overflowing rivers covers land that is normally dry. Floods can happen gradually or very quickly, and they can cause serious damage and danger.

Knowing what to do before, during, and after a flood can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

What Causes Floods and Why Are They Dangerous?

Floods can happen for many reasons:

• Heavy rain: Can fall over days or suddenly during intense storms.

• Spring snowmelt: Melting snow or ice can cause rivers to overflow.

• Dam or levee failure: Broken barriers can release large amounts of water unexpectedly.

• Urban development: Paved surfaces and buildings prevent water absorption, leading to rapid runoff and flash floods.

• Ice jams: Blocks in rivers caused by ice can cause sudden flooding upstream.

Major risks include: 

• Property damage and destruction

• Road and bridge washouts

• Injury or drowning

• Loss of utilities and sewage systems

• Landslides or mudslides in hilly areas

How You Can Prepare for a Flood

1. Know Your Flood Risk 

• Check flood maps and history for your area.

• Know if your home is in a floodplain or flood-prone zone.

2. Make an Emergency Plan 

• Identify and practice routes to higher ground or safe shelters.

• Plan how and when to evacuate if needed.

• Keep family contact information and a meeting point.

3. Prepare Emergency Supplies 

• Store enough bottled water and non-perishable food for at least 3 days.

• Keep important documents in waterproof containers.

• Have flashlights, batteries, and a NOAA Weather Radio accessible.

4. Protect Your Property 

• Elevate electrical appliances, water heaters, and the electric panel above flood levels.

• Use sandbags or flood barriers if flooding is imminent.

• Clear storm drains and gutters to prevent water backup.

5. Stay Informed 

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, or TV for flood watches and warnings.

• Follow instructions from local officials—evacuate if ordered.

During a Flood

1. Follow Official Warnings: 

• Evacuate immediately if told to do so.

• Do not wait or try to drive through floodwaters.

2. If Staying Home: 

• Move valuables and important documents to higher levels.

• Turn off electricity and gas if instructed.

• Avoid walking or driving in floodwaters—they can be deeper and faster-moving than they look.

3. If Outdoors: 

• Never walk or drive through floodwaters.

• Seek higher ground quickly if caught outside.

• Stay away from storm drains, ditches, and floodwaters—they are extremely dangerous.

After a Flood

• Wait for official clearance before returning home.

• Be cautious of downed power lines, damaged roads, and unstable structures.

• Check your home for animals, snakes, or debris before entering.

• Avoid floodwaters—they may be contaminated or contain dangerous objects.

• Continue listening to weather updates and follow official instructions.

Important Safety Tips

• Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.

• Stay away from damaged buildings and unstable ground.

• Keep family members together and accounted for.

• Reserve your phone for emergencies only—line congestion may prevent calls.

• Help neighbors, especially those who may need assistance.

Common Myths About Flooding

• Myth: Floodwaters are always shallow.
  Fact: Floodwaters can be deep and fast-moving—dangerous even at a few inches.

• Myth: If your area isn’t flooded now, it won’t flood.
  Fact: Flooding can happen suddenly, even in areas with no recent history.

• Myth: Flood insurance isn’t necessary if you aren’t in a flood zone.
  Fact: Flooding can occur anywhere—consider flood insurance to protect your property.

Remember: Stay Calm and Follow Official Instructions

You don’t need special training to stay safe during a flood. Stay alert, listen to official warnings, and act quickly to evacuate or protect your property. Practice your flood safety plan regularly, and help your neighbors prepare.

Together, we can face flooding safely—until professional responders arrive.

Flood Radio Response

Survive the Waters with Radios

Floods isolate communities with water damage, making radios critical for rescue and updates. This guide offers a radio plan for floods, crafted for beginners and hobbyists. Study this page, explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Prepping and Emergency Communications, and other pages, and practice with flashcard-style quizzes on HAMQuiz. For more training, visit https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/. Prepare now—floods rise fast.

Flood Radio Strategy

Floods need local check-ins and long-range SOS calls. Water ruins equipment, so use waterproof gear and elevated antennas. Long-range radios are key for rescue.

Example: During a flood, Winlink emails, “Stranded, need boat.”

Our channels are the standard; CERT teams should align with them.

Radios and Channels

FRS Channel 1 (462.5625 MHz): Local check-ins, no license.

Example: “This is Mike, safe, over.”

Ham Winlink: Regional SOS, license needed.

Example: “Need rescue, Winlink, over.”

GMRS Channel 15: Town updates, $35 license.

Example: “Road flooded, GMRS 15, over.”

Modes and Kit

Modes: Voice (FRS), Winlink, JS8Call for hams.

Kit: Waterproof FRS, elevated antennas, waterproof bag.

PACE Plan: Primary (FRS 1), Alternate (GMRS 15), Contingency (JS8Call), Emergency (Winlink).

Practice on HAMQuiz’s Disasters bank.

Support Caregivers

Help caregivers:

Pre-set FRS Channel 1 for dementia patients.

Example: During a flood, a caregiver calls for rescue.

Practice caregiver tips on HAMQuiz.

Keep Learning

Stay flood-ready:

Use HAMQuiz flashcard quizzes.

Example: Best flood mode? A) Winlink B) Voice C) APRS (Answer: A).

Earn 7000 BaconPoints on HAMQuiz.

Study at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.

Why This Guide Is Essential

This guide is your flood lifeline:

Clear: Simple radio plans.

Proactive: Prepares before waters rise.

Inclusive: Caregiver-friendly.

Engaging: HAMQuiz keeps it fun.

Our channels are the standard. CERT, ARRL (arrl.org), and REACT (reactintl.org) align with us. Email contact@hamquiz.org to connect.

Disclaimer

Our channels are the default; CERT adopts them.

Next Steps

Explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Basics, Get Licensed, and other pages at hamquiz.org.

Practice flashcard quizzes on HAMQuiz.

Train at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.

[Insert placeholder: Flood radio setup]