Flood survival is directly related to flood preparedness. In other words, the more time you spend preparing for a flood, the better your chances are of surviving it. According to American rivers.org “floods are the most common natural hazards in the United States.” In fact, prepping for a flood is becoming more and more common as their damages over the last several years has increased to $10 billion per year.

Preparing for a flood starts with a family plan. Families that have established their emergency plan well in advance, not only have a better survival rate but they also tend to be rescued sooner. From your family plan, you’ll need to brainstorm what emergency supplies you’ll need. Typically, the supplies for your flood “bug-out” bag will be broken into three categories: 1) personal protection and first aid supplies, 2) water survival supplies, and 3) water rescue supplies.  Although your family’s needs might vary, this is what a typical flood survival kit would contain.

• Bottles of fresh drinking water
• Protein bar or Power Bars
• Leather belts for your waist
• Sheathed hatchets and hunting knives for your belt
• Warm / dry blankets
• Hand and body warmer packs (commonly used by hunters)
• Disposable lighters and dry kindling
• Rain gear (Ponchos, coats and umbrellas)
• Survival tents (or other makeshift shelter)
• LED light sticks or LED flares
• LED Flashlights w/ extra batteries
• Emergency radio w/ extra batteries
• Leather work gloves
• Whistles (or a small compressed air horn)
• Pocket sized multitool or Swiss army knife (or both)
• Electrical tape or duct tape
• 20’ of nylon rope
• Morris code emergency reflection mirror
• Pencils / pens and a notebook
• First aid kits and hygiene kits (including paper products)
• Prescription medicines to last for five days
• Large heavy weight trash bags

Remember flood preparedness means constantly thinking about what you’ll need if your home is gone, and your entire world is covered with water. That may never happen, but it’s better to build your survival kit to include things that you have and don’t need, rather than things that you need, and don’t have. Other important items that are frequently forgotten in a flood emergency kit are copies of important paperwork including property deeds, titles to vehicles. a list of personal property, insurance policies, HIPPA documents, a medicine list, and copies of your doctors (and their contact information).

Sandbags can be a godsend. If your home is in a flood plane, it’s a good idea to have a stockpile of sandbags that are already filled and stored in an out of the way place so they can be stacked in a moment’s notice. If you don’t have sandbags and need them, during a flood watch they can be located by calling 311 or by listening to your local TV stations. Preparing for a flood is something that everyone in a flood plane should do. Water is one of nature’s most powerful and destructive forces, and it’s a force that no one should take lightly.