Emergency Preparedness
Flood Safety Guidelines
Comprehensive guidance for staying safe before, during, and after a flood. Preparation saves lives — know your plan before disaster strikes.
📋 Preparation phase — Before a flood
📡 Stay informed
- Monitor weather forecasts and flood warnings via TV, radio, or mobile alerts
- Sign up for local emergency SMS and push notifications
- Know the difference between a flood watch (possible) and a flood warning (imminent)
🧭 Emergency plan
- Identify at least two evacuation routes from your home and neighbourhood
- Locate the nearest designated shelter or high ground
- Share and practise the plan with all household members, including children
- Keep a list of emergency contacts and local shelter addresses
🎒 Emergency kit — 3‑day minimum
- Water: At least 3 L per person per day
- Food: Non‑perishable items for 3+ days
- First aid & medicines: Including personal prescriptions
- Light & power: Flashlight, spare batteries, power bank
- Documents: ID, insurance, contacts in waterproof bag
- Essentials: Clothes, blankets, hygiene items, cash
🏠 Home preparation
- Elevate electrical appliances, valuables, and furniture off ground floor
- Secure or bring indoors outdoor items that could be swept away
- Clear gutters, drains, and downpipes regularly
- Store some cash — ATMs/card machines may not work
⚠️ Active phase — During a flood
🚫 Critical danger: Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
Just 15 cm of fast‑moving water can knock an adult down. Cars can be swept away in 60 cm of water.
🏡 Stay safe indoors
- Move to upper floors if water enters — do NOT go to basement
- Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges on foot or by vehicle
- Avoid contact with floodwater (sewage, chemicals)
📢 Follow authorities
- Listen to official emergency broadcasts continuously
- Obey evacuation orders immediately — don't wait
- Move to higher ground or designated shelter when instructed
⚡ Avoid hazards
- Never touch electrical equipment if you or it is wet — turn off breaker if safe
- Stay away from downed power lines; report them
- Do not use gas appliances if you smell gas — evacuate and call emergency
📱 Stay connected
- Keep phone charged with power bank; limit calls
- Notify family/friends of your location and safety
- Use SMS over calls when networks are congested
🔄 Recovery phase — After a flood
✅ Wait for official clearance
Return home only after local authorities confirm it is safe. Floodwater can linger and structural damage may be hidden.
🧼 Health precautions
- Avoid all contact with remaining floodwater — it is likely contaminated
- Boil or purify all drinking water until officially declared safe
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces, containers, utensils that touched floodwater
- Seek medical attention for cuts or wounds exposed to floodwater
📸 Assess and document damage
- Inspect home carefully for structural damage (cracks, sagging ceilings, foundation issues)
- Report downed power lines, broken gas mains to authorities
- Photograph all damage thoroughly for insurance before cleanup
🤝 Support your community
- Check on elderly neighbours, children, and vulnerable individuals
- Report missing persons or emergencies to rescue teams
- Do not enter dangerous areas to help unless trained — contact emergency services