How to protect yourself when high precipitation threatens floods

By Alexa St. John

Extreme time is dangerous, and this is particularly true for strong precipitation which, according to experts, become more frequent with climate change. Powerful storms can constitute threats ranging from the fall of limbs to electric lines lowered to drowning.

Experts say that disaster preparation and good planning can help protect lives and goods.

What should you do if you are facing record precipitation?

Long before extreme weather conditions occur, it is important to determine whether your house meets building codes and knowing what your insurance covers, the experts say. It’s time to face all the gaps.

Once the storms are approaching, stay informed by registering for real -time, county and federal weather alerts and listen to the news and everything your local officials say. You can take simple measures to help you protect your property, for example gutters, storm drains and rainwater systems are clear and ready to make their share to take heavy rain.

If you use sandbags to protect the property, make sure they are properly made and stacked to prevent water from going out.

Do you have to try to evacuate or stay in place?

If there are local orders to evacuate, you must take them into account. Gather important documents, get enough gas to hunt and prepare to be absent for a long time, said Jeannette Sutton, an associate professor at the University of Albany. People must be mistaken on the side of prudence, she said.

As major storms move, there is often a time when departure is more dangerous than staying there. A major danger involves flooded roads. Drivers who try to cross them can be swept away by water deeper than it appeared and stronger than thought.

How can you prepare your home and your belongings?

Moving memories, furniture and valuables to higher levels and ensuring that the sump pump batteries are fully loaded are short -term means to prepare, as well as ensuring that there is enough food, water and medical supplies.

Cars can be protected by bringing them into a parking structure with higher levels.

Experts also say they use common sense in planning: do not keep your emergency generators in a basement where they can be ruined by floods, for example.

What can you do once a disaster started?

If you are unable to prepare for the floods in time, you must go to the highest level of your home, say the experts or search for a safe shelter.

If the strong winds and tornadoes are a threat, however, it could be dangerous to be too high. This is why the verification of forecasts is essential.

Alexa St. John is a journalist by Associated Press Climate. Follow it on x: @alexa_stjohn. Join her at ast.john@ap.org.

Originally published: April 4, 2025 at 9:38 pm