Flood safety: How to prepare for the nation's most common natural disaster

April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also bring devastating floods. As floodwaters rise across the U.S., experts are urging families to take steps now to prepare for emergencies before they strike.

Flooding is the most common and increasingly severe environmental disaster in the country, displacing more than 30,000 people nationwide in 2023 alone, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

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And it’s not just the short-term effects like submerged roads and damaged homes. Floods can lead to serious long-term issues, including food and water insecurity and failures in local infrastructure. Streets can turn into rivers. Entire neighborhoods may become uninhabitable.

“There’s more moisture in the air, and when you have more moisture in the air, that’s going to come out as rainfall,” said Pam Rubinoff, a coastal resilience specialist. She warns that rising sea levels are already contaminating freshwater sources and farmland. “You have the salt coming into those freshwater wells, and it's not drinkable at that point.”

How to Prepare Your Family

Experts recommend three essential steps: know your risks, make a plan, and take action.

Start by reviewing flood zone maps and identifying evacuation routes in your area. Families should have emergency contacts and designated meeting points prepared ahead of time. Even children should know the drill and feel comfortable with the plan.

Rubinoff emphasized the importance of asking kids what matters most to them in a crisis. “Their pets are so important to them,” she said. “So what is going to happen to the pets? What do you want to bring?”

Emergency Kit Essentials

In addition to food and water, your emergency kit should include:

1. Leashes and carriers for pets
2. Backup phone chargers
3. Extra prescription medications
4. Copies of vital documents in a waterproof container

Don’t forget to check in on your neighbors. Some may need extra assistance, especially the elderly or families with young children.

Preparation could mean the difference between chaos and survival. As the rain continues to fall, emergency experts hope more families will take time now to plan for what may lie ahead.