Contact your local or area disaster response team or the housing and zoning office for your community or county to discover the mapped areas for floods. Examine the topography of your yard or area. Are there high areas that normally would not be flooded to which you could move your car? In addition, find out if your home, basement or other areas of your property could be affected. Talk to some of the older persons who have lived in the area for a long time. Ask them about flooding in the area and the highest water they recall.
You should have a disaster plan for flooding and other events such as fire and be ready to take with you any items you need or want to protect in the event of a flood warning. If you and other members of the family plan to be out of your home for a time, such as going to work, you should have a plan for the possibility of not being able to return to your home.
Contact your local or area Cooperative Extension office to find out who they may suggest you contact for more information about flooding in your area. You can search eXtension for preparing for flood disasters for more information. You can also contact your local emergency management agency office.
In the event of an announcement for evacuation by your disaster officials or other authorities, evacuate as soon as possible. Your own safety is the most important factor. Do not wait to evacuate until the water starts to move across the road. It is dangerous to drive through water.
