Turn around. The water is lying to you.
Floodwater kills by looking shallow. The surface hides depth, current, and whatever the road became underneath.
Do this now
- Never drive into water on a road. Turn around. Six inches stalls cars; a foot floats them; two feet carry trucks.
- Six inches of moving water knocks an adult down. Don't wade to check.
- If water is entering the house, move up — people first, then meds and documents.
- If told to shut utilities: power off at the breaker only if you're dry and the panel is dry.
- Stay out of basements with standing water until the power is confirmed off.
The car trap
Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. The road under floodwater may not exist anymore — washouts leave the surface looking normal from above. Barricades aren't suggestions, and "my truck sits high" is a famous last sentence. Reroute; late beats never.
Inside the house
Water rises faster than furniture moves. Get people and pets up a level early, take the meds, the documents bag, and chargers — not the television. If you end up needing rescue from a roof or upper floor, signal, and let rescuers come to you rather than entering the current.
Afterward, the water is still the hazard
Floodwater is a mixture of sewage, fuel, and whatever the neighborhood stored — with live electricity where lines are down. Wear boots and gloves, treat every surface it touched as contaminated, and throw out any food or medicine it reached. Photograph everything before cleanup for insurance.
Do not
- Don't drive around barricades — the road may be gone underneath.
- Don't wade through moving water.
- Don't touch electrical equipment while wet or standing in water.
- Don't let kids play in floodwater — it's sewage and chemicals, not a puddle.
Common questions
How deep does water have to be to sweep a car away?
About one foot of moving water floats most cars; two feet carry trucks and SUVs. Six inches is enough to stall engines and knock an adult off their feet.
What should I grab if flood water is entering my house?
People and pets first, then medications, the documents bag, and phone chargers. Move up a level — possessions are what insurance is for.
Is floodwater dangerous after the storm passes?
Yes — it carries sewage, fuel, and sometimes live electricity, and it hides debris and washouts. Boots, gloves, and patience; discard food and medicine it touched.
Sources — official guidance
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