Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with flood rising water, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising around your home, road, or vehicle — from rain, river overflow, or urban flooding.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Go high. Avoid floodwater. Do not drive through water. Call 112 if trapped.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water rising on roads, entering ground floor, or surrounding vehicle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fast-moving brown water with debris.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Downed power lines in or near water.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Six inches of moving water can knock you down. One foot can float a car. Floodwater is contaminated and may be electrified.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most flood deaths happen in vehicles and from walking through water.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If in vehicle and water rising — abandon car and move to higher ground immediately if safe on foot.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If in building — go to upper floor or roof with phone and whistle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Turn off electricity at main breaker only if dry and safe — never stand in water near panel.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Take drinking water, phone charger, and medicines to upper level.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to high ground. Do not walk or drive through moving floodwater. Signal for rescue if trapped.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Trapped by flood at [address]. [X] people on roof/upper floor. Water rising [yes/no]."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Conserve phone battery — send location pin if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flood rescue is professional work — wait on high ground for boats or helicopters.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drive into flooded roads — "Turn Around, Don't Drown."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT walk through moving floodwater above ankle depth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT touch electrical equipment while standing in water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drink floodwater — contamination causes disease.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A SUV or truck can safely drive through deep floodwater
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child was found in water, is struggling in water, or was just pulled out and is not responding normally.
Boat capsize
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your boat has overturned or is sinking and people are in the water.
Dam breach warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You receive warning that a dam may fail, gates are opening, or a wall of water is coming downstream.
Reach/throw rescue
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone is in water and needs help. You are on shore and must rescue them without entering the water unless trained.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Signal rescuers from roof or upper window — bright cloth waved.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If evacuating on foot, use a stick to check ground ahead — holes and open drains are hidden.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After flood recedes, structures may be unsafe — wait for inspection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most vehicles float in 30 cm of water and are swept away. Road surface may be washed out underneath.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vehicle swept off road with occupants trapped inside.