Flood alerts and protective action
Flooding can develop quickly and outside mapped areas. Follow evacuation directions and never enter floodwater on foot or in a vehicle.
This retained reference page explains preparedness and protective actions; it is not a live alert feed or a forecast. For current conditions, use official alerts for your location.
Prepare before an alert
- Know how to receive local flood warnings and identify routes to higher ground.
- Keep important documents, medicine, communication equipment, and evacuation supplies ready.
- Plan for transportation, accessibility, children, older adults, and animals before rain begins.
Watch and warning language
A watch means the hazard is possible and you should be ready to act. A warning means the hazard is occurring, imminent, or highly likely in the warned area and protective action is needed. Read the complete official alert because wording and actions vary by hazard.
Protective actions
- Move to higher ground or evacuate when officials direct.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater and do not go around barricades.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and keep away from downed power lines.
- Return only when officials say it is safe; floodwater and damaged buildings can remain hazardous.
Important: Call emergency services for immediate danger. Always follow current directions from local authorities over general web guidance.
Related PREPHAUS resources
Official sources
Source links are provided for provenance and current official instructions. No publication or retrieval date is asserted here.