How to Prepare Your Home for a Flood

Flooding is the most common type of disaster in the United States. In 2024 alone, weather and climate disasters caused more than $1 billion in damages. While coastal areas and low-lying regions are more prone to floods, extreme droughts in other parts of the country have made the ground hard and less absorbent, increasing the risk of flooding.

If you live in a homeowners’ association (HOA), getting your home and community ready for floods can help protect your family and property. Read on for tips on how to prepare for a flood and what you can do to stay safe.

Are You in a Flood Zone?

Flood zones are areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for having a higher risk of flooding. This may include regions that frequently experience storms or hurricanes. To assess your risk of flooding, enter your address into FEMA’s flood map website.

HOA residents can also contact their board or community manager to learn more about local flood zones and how their homes may be affected. Association leadership should have access to the latest HOA risk assessments, community emergency plans, and recent flood zone information.

What To Do Before a Flood

Whether you live in a high-risk area or not, it’s crucial that you take flooding and the potential for other natural disasters seriously. Before a flood hits, here are things homeowners should do ahead of time:

• Ask your HOA about your community’s emergency response plan

• Review your insurance coverage or add flood insurance to your policy

• Take pictures of your property and high-value assets for insurance purposes

• Create an evacuation plan and share it with your family

• Identify ways to stay informed and up to date with flood warnings

• Stock up on essentials and prepare a flood emergency kit

Preparing Your HOA Home for a Flood

A flood can have devastating effects on your home and neighborhood. By being proactive and taking steps to avoid damage, you can minimize your losses and facilitate recovery efforts. Here’s how to prepare for a flood in your HOA home.

1. Familiarize yourself with your HOA emergency action plan.

Check your governing documents for your community’s emergency preparedness plan and familiarize yourself with details like:

• Evacuation routes

• Designated meeting locations

• Backup power options

• Emergency contact information

• Locations of first aid kits and other supplies

• HOA insurance coverage

2. Protect important documents and valuable items.

When you know a storm is coming and there’s a chance of flooding in your area, take measures to protect irreplaceable items. Invest in waterproof containers to store important documents, photographs, and other valuables that could be damaged by water. 

3. Identify and repair structural damage.

Homeowners can also protect their properties by identifying weak areas or damage in the home’s structure. Take the time to inspect:

• Doors 

• Windows

• Walls

• Foundation

Repairing the damage and sealing gaps can prevent water from entering. If you expect significant flooding, look into how to make a door flood barrier. 

4. Clear gutters and downspouts.

When gutters and spouts are filled with leaves and twigs, the debris can prevent water from flowing away from the home, leading to water damage and potential flooding. Clearing out your gutters and downspouts will ensure optimal drainage and direct water away from your property.

5. Trim trees and bushes.

Keeping trees, bushes, and landscaping neat and trimmed can also reduce storm damage. During a heavy downpour, overgrown leaves and branches can easily break off and clog swales and storm drains. When excessive runoff has nowhere to go, your home is at risk of flooding and damage.

6. Secure outdoor furniture.

Consider bringing outdoor furniture inside or putting it in storage when there is a flood warning. Hurricanes and strong winds can blow the furniture into your home or other parts of the community, causing serious damage and costly repairs.

7. Use sandbags to prevent flood damage.

It can be challenging to know when and how to prepare for a flash flood because it happens very quickly. However, one way to prevent flood damage is to always have sandbags ready to go.

Sandbags can act as a barrier, protecting your property from rushing water. Place the bags lengthwise, with the flap folded under and facing away from where you expect the water to flow. Stack two to three rows of sandbags for optimal protection.

8. Elevate furniture and other household items.

Consider elevating your furniture, appliances, and other items off the ground to protect them from water damage. Concrete blocks typically work well to handle heavy furniture while keeping them stable. For lighter items, take them upstairs or stack them on top of tables and chairs.

9. Unplug electronics and appliances.

When there’s a chance that floodwater will enter your home, it’s a good idea to unplug electronics and appliances. In addition to preventing device damage, this will protect you and your family from accidental electrocution.

10. Shut off utilities.

Call the utility companies to shut off your electricity, gas, and water when expecting a flood. Excessive water can create a safety hazard by conducting electricity and damaging gas lines. Flooding can also cause plumbing issues, so shutting off the water supply can keep the problem from worsening.

Staying Safe During a Flood

During a flood, it’s vital to prioritize safety and follow directions from your local authorities and community leaders, including:

• Listening for local weather updates and warnings

• Evacuating when directed

• Following your HOA’s emergency flood plan

• Connecting with others to let them know your location and status

13 Steps to Restoring Your Home After a Flood

Preparing for possible flooding is the best way for HOA residents to avoid safety hazards and damage to their homes. While it’s important to know how to get ready for a flood, understanding how to deal with the aftermath is just as important.

Check out “13 Steps to Restoring Your Home After a Flood” for a step-by-step guide on recovering and rebuilding after flood damage.