Flooding right now: what to do before, during and after

If floodwater is expected or rising near you, the order that matters is: people, then documentation, then property. Move cars and valuables high before the water arrives, never drive or walk through moving floodwater, shut off power only if the area is dry and you are told to, photograph the property before and after, contact your insurer within hours, start drying within 24 to 48 hours, and apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov if a federal disaster is declared for your area.

This page is for the people standing in it right now: water rising, roads closing, or the first morning after. It is written in the order you will actually need it. The active-flooding section at the top is dated; everything below it stays true for every storm.

Active flooding, updated 2026-11-04

• South Florida — heavy rain is flooding parts of Broward and Miami-Dade; a flood advisory is in effect in Broward as of the afternoon of November 4, 2026 (NBC 6 South Florida). Never drive through flooded streets; Broward's low spots flood faster than the maps suggest.
• Florida Space Coast — flooding earlier this week turned deadly in Brevard County areas (The Weather Channel). Follow local officials for re-entry and road status.
• Central US — the storm that crossed the Southwest with deadly flooding in Arizona and Colorado is still moving through the central states (CNN, PBS). Check your local forecast before driving into low-lying routes.

For live watches and warnings where you are: weather.gov and your local National Weather Service office.

Before the water arrives

• People and pets first. Decide where you would go and the route, before the water decides for you.
• Move what floats and what dies. Cars to high ground, documents and medicine up high, electronics off the floor.
• Photograph everything now. A phone walkthrough of every room, the exterior and the street is the cheapest insurance documentation you will ever produce.
• Shut off power only when it is safe to do so and only if the panel is dry and officials advise it. Never stand in water and touch anything electrical.
• Stage what you can at doorways — sandbags, sandless bags, towels — knowing the honest limit: these divert a few inches of shallow, standing water, and no doorway stack holds back moving water (ready.gov/floods).
• Charge devices and fill the car. Power and fuel are the first things to go and the last things to return.

During the flood

• Never drive through floodwater. A foot of moving water carries away most cars; two feet, most trucks. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
• Never walk through moving water. Six inches of fast water will knock an adult down, and the water hides what it washed in — open manholes, debris, live wires.
• Stay out of flooded rooms and basements until power is confirmed off. Water conducts.
• Generators stay outside. Running one in a garage, porch or near a window kills with carbon monoxide.
• Listen to local officials, not social media. Evacuation orders and boil-water notices come from the county and the NWS first.

The first 72 hours after

Day one — document and call.

Photograph and video everything before moving anything, including the water line on the walls. Contact your insurer the same day; claims are processed in the order they arrive. If a federal disaster is declared, start the FEMA application at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362 the same week.

Day two — dry.

Mold starts within 24 to 48 hours. Remove wet drywall, carpet and insulation, run dehumidifiers, and photograph what you remove. Keep every receipt: repairs, hotel, food, supplies — the claim and the grant application both run on receipts (FEMA mold guidance).

Day three — decisions.

Get at least one written repair estimate before signing anything. Check every contractor's license with your state licensing board. Never pay full price up front, and treat the unsolicited contractor in the driveway as a warning sign, not a gift. For the rebuild phase, when you are ready: flood vents for enclosed garages, the full vent guide, and measured flood barriers for doorways.

Business owners: the extra track

• Document business interruption the same day. The hours the doors were closed, the orders lost, the payroll still paid — your policy and the SBA both want the timeline.
• Talk to employees before customers. Tell your people what is happening, what is paid and what is not, and when you expect to reopen. The team remembers the order you did this in.
• Apply for an SBA disaster loan early. Businesses can borrow for physical damage and economic injury; the application window opens with the disaster declaration and the paperwork is slow (SBA disaster assistance).
• Keep paying what you can. Payroll, rent and utilities continuing through the closure is the difference between a business that reopened and one that did not.
• Reopen with proof. Photograph the reopening, the repairs, the inspections — the same file that proves your claim proves your story to customers.

The worst time to learn any of this is during the next storm. The second-worst is the morning after. Bookmark this page, and send it to the people you know in the active zones above.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first when my house floods?

People first: get out of moving water and do not enter a flooded structure until officials say it is safe. Then document: photograph and video everything before you move anything, including the water line on the walls. Then call your insurer. Start drying only after it is safe to enter, and keep receipts for everything you spend.

How long do I have before mold starts after a flood?

Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials. FEMA and the CDC both tell you to dry the building quickly, remove wet drywall and insulation, and run dehumidifiers. Anything that cannot be dried within two days generally needs to be removed.

Does flood insurance pay for everything?

No. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage at all. A separate NFIP or private flood policy covers flood losses up to its limits and exclusions. Read your policy's declarations page before the adjuster arrives, and know that grants and SBA disaster loans fill part of the gap, not all of it.

How do I apply for FEMA disaster assistance?

At DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 after a federal disaster is declared for your area. You will need your address, insurance information, damage description and bank details for direct deposit. Apply even if you have insurance, because insurance may not cover everything.

How do I avoid contractor scams after a flood?

Require a license, check it with your state's licensing board before signing, never pay the full price up front, get the scope of work in writing, and be suspicious of anyone who shows up unsolicited promising quick repairs. Disasters bring out unlicensed contractors; the pressure to sign today is the tell.