For Homeowners
Preparing for a Flood Disaster

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When you are prepared for a flood disaster, you’re in a much better position to respond quickly, confidently and safely.

Know the emergency warning system in your community.  When advised to evacuate, leave immediately. 

Have a Family Emergency Plan
Prepare a Personal “Flood File”
Prepare Your Home
Flood Insurance
Safe Driving During a Flood
Safeguarding Your Health
Safeguarding Your Finances

Have a Family Emergency Plan

• Prepare a safety kit with drinking water, canned food, first aid materials, blankets, battery-powered radio and flashlights. 

• Prepare a “go kit” that includes critical health-related items-prescription medicines, extra eyeglasses or contact solutions, special supplies needed for anyone with chronic health problems.  Also include all family personal medical records and documents, including an up-to-date personal medical history.

• Post emergency numbers by the phone, including electric service providers, and teach your children how to dial “911.”

• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family.  Know safe routes from home, work and school that are on higher ground.

• If possible, stock up on items you may need during clean-up – bleach, cleaning supplies, sponges, wire brushes, mops, gloves, goggles, boots and N95 respirator masks.  In addition, fans, wet/dry vacuums and dehumidifiers can help with the drying process.

• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your emergency family contact.

• Have a plan to protect your pets.

• Talk with your employer about plans in the event of a flood emergency, including the option of working at an alternate location.

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Prepare a Personal “Flood File”

• Make sure your have copies of all your insurance policies, with your agent’s contact information.

• Complete a room-by-room inventory of your possessions, including receipts, photos and videos.

• Copy all other critical documents, including finance records.

• Store the “flood file” in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container.

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Prepare Your Home

• Make sure your sump pump is working.

• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.

• Anchor any fuel tanks.

• Take necessary steps to prevent the release of any dangerous chemicals that might be stored on your property.

• Shut off all utilities at the main switches and valves (water, gas, oil and electric).

• Remove wall and outlet plates and cover them with rubberized tape.

• DO NOT touch electrical switches or any electrical components while wet or standing in water. 

• Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation.

• Place your furnace, water heater, washer and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation.

• If you have a well, stop using the well and turn off the power to the well.  Seal it to keep out keep out silt and debris using a heavy-duty trash bag or other type of heavy-duty plastic sheeting.  Secure the covering with duct tape.  If your well has been flooded, or if flood water has been within 50 feet of the well, it will have to be disinfected and tested after the water recedes.  Information is available from the Minnesota Department of Health

• Fill available containers, including your bathtubs and sinks, with water.  If area water supplies become contaminated by flood water, the only safe water may be what you have on hand.

• Move furniture, valuables and important documents to a safe place. 

• Move “soft items” out of the potential path of the flood to cut down on damage, prevent the growth of mold and ease clean-up.  This would include things such as boxes, books, clothing, photos and area rugs.

• Remove all items from your basement.

• If possible, move perishable food out of your refrigerator and freezer.

• Open basement windows so water can enter.  Most residential basement walls and floors will not withstand additional pressure of water-soaked soil and will collapse unless water is allowed in to equalize the pressure.           

• When the time comes to consider long-term ways to protect your home, consider installing “check valves” in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains in your home. And, if possible, seal walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

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Flood Insurance

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.  Over the past 10 years, the average flood claim has amounted to over $33,000.  Flood insurance is the best protection from devastating financial loss.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters and condo owners/renters.  Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers and the property’s flood risk. 

There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect. Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

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Safe Driving During a Flood

Expect the unexpected.  Water can be released at any moment when ice jams give way, quickly flooding culverts, ditches and riverbeds.

Do not drive around barricades!

For current road conditions, closures and alternate routes, check MNDOT Traffic and Road Conditions or call 5-1-1.

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Safeguarding Your Health

• During a flood, standard health precautions relating to food and personal hygiene are more important than ever.  Be sure to wash your hands before eating or drinking, especially if you have been in contact with flood water.

• If you use home health services, get in touch with your home health providers, so they will know what to do in the event of an evacuation.

• This may be a good time to get immunizations up-to-date.  However, you will not be facing a higher-than-normal risk of vaccine-preventable diseases because of a flood.

• If you sustain an injury during a flood, be sure to get medical attention.  There will be time to get a tetanus shot, if you need one.

• If you or someone you know depends on electrically operated medical equipment, coordinate an emergency plan with friends and relatives.  Have back-up power if you need it.  Make sure the power company is aware of your situation, so they can flag your account and put you on a priority power restoration list, if possible.

• Always consider an electrical wire or downed power line energized and maintain a safe distance from it.  Do not touch anyone in contact with a downed power line.  If a power line is down around your home, call your electricity provider to have the power source turned off.


• For more flood-related health information, visit Minnesota Department of Health.

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Safeguarding Your Finances

Many home and business owners fall victim to home repair scams and dishonest contractors after natural disasters.

Before hiring any contractor to repair flood damage, contact the Department of Labor and Industry (1-800-342-5354) to verify that a potential contractor is licensed and to learn if there is any history of disciplinary action. 

Do NOT sign anything presented by a contractor unless you read the document very carefully and have made a firm decision to hire that contractor.  Generally speaking, if you sign a piece of paper, it is a contract, regardless of what the salesperson tells you and you are then obligated to its terms.

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