This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
Critical
Water is entering my house
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rising water in a residential area.
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This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rising water in a residential area.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Go up. Do not walk in water. Call for help.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Warning signs: water entering home, road flooding, emergency alerts, rapidly rising creeks or rivers.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Floodwater is contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and debris. It may hide downed power lines.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If water is rising, act immediately. Do not wait to see how high it will go.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising in your area — from heavy rain, river overflow, storm surge, or dam failure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flash floods can develop in minutes. Six inches of moving water can knock you down; two feet can float a car.
Check the scene before you approach.
Move to higher ground. Do not stay in a flooding area.
Water · HARD STOP
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — DO NOT walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
Do not: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not enter moving or standing floodwater on foot or in a vehicle.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to higher ground immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Proceed with flood safety guidance once you confirm you are on higher ground.
Water · CRITICAL
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Floodwater hides open drains, fallen power lines, and sharp debris.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on high ground. Wait for professional rescue if trapped.
Electricity · CRITICAL
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT touch electrical equipment if water is present.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Avoid all electrical outlets, appliances, and panels near floodwater.
Other · CAUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Boil or purify any water before drinking after a flood.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to higher ground immediately — upper floor, roof if necessary, or elevated terrain outside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if you are trapped and cannot reach higher ground.
When and how to get professional help.
Do not attempt water rescue without training and equipment. Call for professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if trapped. Describe your exact location and number of people with you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: Flood emergency. Trapped at [address]. Water level: [waist/chest/roof]. People: [number]. Cannot reach higher ground.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Conserve phone battery. Send text messages if calls fail.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT touch electrical equipment in or near water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drink floodwater or tap water until authorities confirm it is safe.
Step-by-step questions to help you decide what to do.
Emergency mode includes an interactive decision guide that walks you through key questions for this situation.
Open emergency guideChild, infant, elderly, and other variations.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
How to Help Someone Else
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Carry small children to higher ground. Never leave them in flooded areas.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
First Minute
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Assist with stairs to upper floors. Bring essential medications if safely reachable.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
What you can do before an emergency happens.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Know your evacuation route and nearest high ground. Prepare a go-bag with essentials.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sign up for local emergency alerts. Know whether your area is in a flood zone.
Check your understanding with recognition and action questions.
Question 1 · action-first
Water is entering your house during a flood. What should you do first?
Feedback: Move to higher ground immediately. Do not try to block rising water — get yourself and others to safety first.
Question 2 · do-not
During a flood, what should you NOT do?
Feedback: Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Even shallow fast water can sweep you away. Hidden dangers include open drains, fallen power lines, and debris.
Question 3 · recognition
Why is floodwater especially dangerous?
Feedback: Floodwater hides many dangers: submerged power lines, open drains, sewage, debris, and unstable ground. You cannot see what is beneath the surface.
Reusable skills connected to this situation.
Am I safe?
Recognize hazards before you help. Do not become another casualty.
Call for help
WHERE → WHAT → HOW MANY → DANGER → CONDITION → CALLBACK.
Get others to help
Assign specific tasks to bystanders — call, AED, crowd control.
Should I move them?
Do not move unnecessarily — move when staying creates greater immediate danger.
Where this guidance comes from.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If in a vehicle and water is rising around it, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground if safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If inside a building, go to the highest floor. Avoid basements and ground floors.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not touch electrical equipment, outlets, or appliances if standing in water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If trapped, go to the highest point. Signal for help from a window or roof.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Listen to emergency radio or phone alerts for evacuation orders and shelter locations.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on high ground until officials say it is safe to leave.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help children, elderly, and disabled persons reach higher ground first.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not enter floodwater to rescue someone. Call 112 for professional water rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Throw a flotation device or rope only if you can do so without entering the water yourself.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If alone and water is rising: move up immediately. Take phone, flashlight, and water if within reach.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If outside, climb to highest available ground — hill, berm, or sturdy elevated structure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If driving and water covers the road, turn around. Find an alternate route on higher ground.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If vehicle stalls in water, leave immediately through doors or windows. Climb onto the roof if needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Emergency radio: receives alerts when power and cell networks fail.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flashlight: essential when power is out during flooding at night.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Life jacket: useful if near water but does not make floodwater safe to enter.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to higher ground using stairs, furniture, or terrain. Your body and judgment are your primary tools.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use phone flashlight if no other light is available. Conserve battery.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Receives weather and emergency alerts when power and cell networks fail.
Phone with emergency alerts enabled
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Provides light during power outages common in flood events.
Phone flashlight (conserve battery)
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Provides flotation if near water, but does not make floodwater safe to enter.
None — avoid entering water entirely
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if trapped, injured, or if water is still rising around you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Seek medical care for any cuts or wounds exposed to floodwater — infection risk is high.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not attempt water rescue without training and equipment. Currents are stronger than they appear.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 and provide location. Professional rescue teams have boats and training.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Floodwater is just rain — it is clean." Reality: Floodwater contains sewage, chemicals, and hazardous debris.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "I can drive through shallow water." Reality: Six inches of water can stall a car. Two feet can float most vehicles.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Floodwater is just rain — it is clean
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Floodwater contains sewage, agricultural chemicals, fuel, and debris.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Contact with or ingestion of floodwater causes serious infection and illness.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — I can drive through shallow water
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Six inches of moving water can knock down a person. Two feet can float most vehicles.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Turn around, do not drown.
Alternative Safe Methods
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If wheelchair-bound, move to highest accessible point and signal for rescue from a window.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Boil or purify water before drinking until authorities confirm supply is safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Document damage with photos for insurance. Do not return home until officials declare it safe.
Help safely
Rescue limitations, dangerous improvisation, and escalation.