• Be prepared for flooding anywhere.flood image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com
  
  Flood waters can cause damage to everything around them. Houses are one of the most common structures to fall victim to flood damage. Flood insurance is one way that you can protect your home and prepare for floods. Another way to fight against flood devastation is to educate yourself and your family about proper ways to handle flood emergencies.
  
  

Prepare in Advance

• Prepare for floods by having the proper equipment and knowing what to do in a flood emergency, in order to make sure your family is safe. When you move into a new home or buy land, you should know the history of the area. Are you living in a flood zone? Has the house or land had a history of flooding? Is the area prone to heavy rains? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you should arm yourself with the right tools and take the necessary precautions in order to prepare for a flood emergency. Here are some common ways to protect your property in advance: Elevation, flood barriers, wet and dry flood-proofing and drain plugs. Other supplies to have on hand in case of flooding are sandbags, plastic sheeting, towels and lumber. It is a good idea to keep valuables in waterproof containers in order to protect them from water damage.
  
  

Flood Insurance

• Flood insurance is required if you live in a flood zone, but this insurance is a good idea for any homeowner. Most homeowners' insurance policies do not include flood damage, so adding flood insurance to your homeowner's insurance policy is a wise choice that can save you a lot of money and stress. Although reimbursement for damage does not always provide a way to replace everything that is lost in a disaster, it can alleviate some of the burden.
  
  

Indoors During a Flood

• If you are inside your house during a flood, it is important to turn off electricity and gas at the main shutoff areas. Do not try to use any appliances, especially if they are wet. Fill some water containers with clean water, and then turn off the water at the main shutoff point. Get out of the house to a dry area, but do not try to walk or swim through deep or swiftly-moving water. The risk of drowning is high during extensive flooding. Keep everyone away from power lines, electric wires and appliances.
  
  

Outdoors During a Flood

• When relaxing or vacationing outdoors, keep your eye on the weather and stay informed by listening to the radio or checking the weather watch stations. If you are outdoors during floods, then the best thing to do is try to get to higher ground without putting yourself or your family in danger. Do not try to drive though flood waters because flowing water is very deceptive, and you cannot accurately assess the depth of the water or the condition of the ground underneath. If you are in danger, then you will have to leave your belongings, including your vehicle, camping equipment, etc., behind and get out of the way of the water.
  
  

After the Flood

• Never go back to the damaged areas unless they are deemed by authorities to be safe. Do not drink tap water immediately after there has been a flood or eat food that has been affected by the flood waters. Be careful about what you do to remove the flood water from your house. If the water is not drained properly, then it may cause more damage to the property. Have a qualified flood inspector assess the damage and instruct you on how to fix it. Disinfect or disregard flood-damaged items. Because flood waters may include raw sewage and chemicals, or the water damage can cause mold to form, it is usually a wise choice to try to replace most flood-damaged items.