FEMA Flood Preparedness Checklist for Homeowners

FEMA — the Federal Emergency Management Agency — recommends that every American household have an emergency preparedness plan that includes flood response. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, responsible for billions of dollars in property damage each year. FEMA's preparedness guidance consistently emphasizes proactive mitigation over reactive response: the steps you take before a storm arrives determine how much damage you sustain.

This checklist organizes the key flood preparedness steps recommended by FEMA and emergency management best practices into three phases: Before the Flood, During the Flood, and After the Flood. Work through each phase systematically to build a comprehensive flood preparedness posture for your household.

Phase 1: Before the Flood — Preparation

Preparation is the phase that matters most. Everything you do here determines how quickly and effectively you can respond when a storm is incoming — and how well your property holds up during the event.

Know Your Flood Risk

• ☐ Look up your property's flood zone designation at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to understand your baseline risk level
• ☐ Review your homeowner's insurance policy — standard policies do not cover flood damage; flood coverage must be purchased separately
• ☐ Consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — coverage typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect
• ☐ Sign up for your local emergency alert system — most counties and municipalities offer free text, email, or app-based alerts for severe weather and flood warnings
• ☐ Determine whether your area is in a flash flood zone, which can require immediate response with very little advance warning
• ☐ Identify the lowest elevation points on your property and inside your home — basements, crawl spaces, and below-grade windows are highest risk

Stock Your Flood Protection Supplies

• ☐ Purchase FEMA-approved flood barriers for all exterior entry points — StormBag sandless sandbags are FEMA and DHS approved, deploy in approximately 3 minutes without sand or shovels, and store at just 1 lb each until activated
• ☐ Calculate how many barriers you need: 4–6 bags per standard doorway, more for garage doors and other wide openings — use the Storm Protection Planner for a personalized count
• ☐ Store dry flood barriers in a cool, dry, accessible location — StormBag stores flat at 1 lb per bag, requiring minimal storage space and enabling rapid retrieval
• ☐ Battery-powered backup sump pump (essential if you have a basement or crawl space)
• ☐ Wet/dry shop vacuum for rapid water removal
• ☐ Waterproof containers or fireproof safe for critical documents: insurance policies, property records, identification documents, and financial records
• ☐ Water-resistant bags for electronics and irreplaceable items

Build Your Emergency Supply Kit

FEMA recommends maintaining a 72-hour emergency supply kit that covers all basic needs if utilities and services are disrupted. For flood preparedness specifically, your kit should include:

• ☐ At least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 72 hours minimum — municipal water systems may be contaminated or disrupted after flooding
• ☐ Three-day supply of non-perishable food — canned goods, dried foods, and energy bars that do not require cooking
• ☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio for continuous emergency alerts if power is lost
• ☐ Waterproof LED flashlights and extra batteries
• ☐ Comprehensive first aid kit
• ☐ Seven-day supply of prescription medications for all household members
• ☐ Whistle or signaling device to attract rescuers if you become trapped
• ☐ Dust masks or N95 respirators for post-flood cleanup
• ☐ Plastic sheeting and duct tape for emergency moisture barriers
• ☐ Adjustable wrench or pliers to shut off gas and water utilities
• ☐ Manual can opener
• ☐ Printed local maps in case of GPS or cellular outages
• ☐ Cell phone with backup chargers and portable power bank
• ☐ Cash in small bills — ATMs and electronic payments may be unavailable after a disaster

Prepare Your Property

• ☐ Install backflow check valves on plumbing to prevent sewage backup into your home during flooding — a licensed plumber can install these permanently
• ☐ Seal basement walls and floors with hydraulic cement or waterproofing compound to reduce seepage
• ☐ Seal utility penetrations (where pipes, cables, and conduit enter the foundation) with expandable foam or hydraulic cement
• ☐ Install window well covers on all below-grade basement windows
• ☐ Elevate electrical panels, HVAC equipment, water heaters, and other mechanical systems above the base flood elevation if feasible
• ☐ Grade your yard to slope away from the foundation — at minimum 6 inches of drop in the first 10 feet from the house
• ☐ Clean gutters and downspouts at least twice per year to prevent roof water backup and pooling at the foundation
• ☐ Know the locations of your main water shutoff valve, gas shutoff, and electrical panel
• ☐ Move valuables, important documents, and irreplaceable items to upper floors or elevated storage permanently

Create a Family Emergency Plan

• ☐ Identify two evacuation routes from your home and neighborhood — roads can flood and close unexpectedly
• ☐ Designate a meeting point away from home if family members become separated during an evacuation
• ☐ Designate an out-of-area contact person that all family members can reach — local phone networks may be overloaded during a regional disaster
• ☐ Identify the location of your nearest emergency shelter — find your local options at Ready.gov
• ☐ Practice your evacuation plan with all household members, including children and elderly family members
• ☐ Make arrangements for pets in advance — most public emergency shelters do not accept animals; identify pet-friendly hotels or friends outside your flood zone
• ☐ Know your community's flood response procedures and where to report damage after an event

Phase 2: During a Flood Event

When a flood event is imminent or underway, your actions in the first hours are critical. If you have prepared your supplies and plan in Phase 1, you can act quickly and effectively instead of improvising under pressure.

When a Flood Watch Is Issued

A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding — this is your window to deploy protection and finalize preparations before water arrives.

• ☐ Deploy StormBag flood barriers at all exterior entry points — doors, garage entrances, basement windows, and foundation vents — before water arrives
• ☐ Move valuables, furniture, electronics, and irreplaceable items to upper floors or high shelves
• ☐ Disconnect and elevate electrical appliances in flood-prone areas of the home
• ☐ Activate your battery-powered backup sump pump and confirm it is operating
• ☐ Fill your vehicle's gas tank in case evacuation becomes necessary
• ☐ Charge all electronic devices fully — power outages often accompany major flood events
• ☐ Monitor NOAA weather radio and local emergency management alerts continuously
• ☐ Confirm your household emergency plan with all family members — designate roles and confirm the meeting point

When a Flood Warning Is Issued

A flood warning means flooding is occurring or imminent. At this point, personal safety is the absolute priority.

• ☐ Never walk through moving floodwater — just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet; 12 inches can move a vehicle
• ☐ Never drive through flooded roadways — water depth is impossible to judge from inside a vehicle, and roads may be washed out beneath standing water
• ☐ If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately — do not wait to see if conditions improve
• ☐ Move to higher ground if flooding is occurring and evacuation is not possible
• ☐ Avoid all contact with floodwater — it is frequently contaminated with sewage, chemicals, fuel, and biological hazards
• ☐ Do not use electrical equipment or enter rooms with standing water
• ☐ Stay off bridges during rapidly moving floodwater

Phase 3: After the Flood

The period immediately after a flood event is hazardous in its own right. Structural damage, contamination, gas leaks, and electrical hazards can be invisible. Work through this checklist carefully before resuming normal activity in your home.

• ☐ Do not return home until local authorities declare the structure safe — structural damage, gas leaks, and electrical hazards may not be visible
• ☐ Before entering, check for gas odors, downed power lines, and visible structural damage from the outside
• ☐ Document all flood damage with extensive photographs and video before any cleanup or repairs — this documentation is essential for insurance claims and FEMA assistance applications
• ☐ Contact your flood insurance provider immediately to begin the claims process — delays can complicate reimbursement
• ☐ Remove standing water as quickly as possible — mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours of water intrusion
• ☐ Use industrial fans and dehumidifiers to dry all wet building materials thoroughly
• ☐ Discard all food that came into contact with floodwater, including canned goods with damaged seals
• ☐ Disinfect all surfaces that floodwater touched with appropriate cleaning products
• ☐ Have your home inspected by a licensed contractor before resuming normal occupancy
• ☐ Have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician before restoring power to affected areas
• ☐ Apply to FEMA's Individual Assistance program if your county receives a federal disaster declaration — register at DisasterAssistance.gov
• ☐ Review and update your flood preparedness plan based on what worked and what gaps you identified during the event

Why FEMA-Approved Flood Mitigation Matters

The flood protection supplies you choose for your home matter. Products that have undergone independent government evaluation provide performance assurance that goes beyond the manufacturer's own claims. StormBag is approved by both FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security for emergency flood mitigation use — the same agencies responsible for coordinating national disaster response have independently validated its performance.

StormBag has also been field-tested by National Guard units in real flood response operations, and it is manufactured in the United States. As featured on Shark Tank, StormBag has earned national recognition as the leading sandless flood protection solution for homeowners, businesses, and emergency management professionals.

Shop StormBag flood protection to build your flood preparedness supply before storm season. Store them dry at just 1 lb each, then deploy in approximately 3 minutes per bag — no sand, no shovels, no crew required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does FEMA recommend for flood preparedness at home?

FEMA recommends a three-phase approach: preparing before a flood (knowing your flood zone, purchasing flood insurance, stocking supplies, and protecting your property), acting during a flood event (deploying barriers during a watch, prioritizing personal safety during a warning), and recovering carefully after a flood (documenting damage, removing water quickly, and applying for assistance if eligible). FEMA also recommends using FEMA-approved flood mitigation products like StormBag for barrier protection at entry points.

How much does flood insurance cost through FEMA's NFIP?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy costs approximately $700–$800 per year for residential coverage, though premiums vary significantly based on your flood zone designation, the age and elevation of your home, and the coverage amount you select. High-risk flood zone properties can pay substantially more. The National Flood Insurance Program offers coverage up to $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents. Because NFIP policies take 30 days to take effect, purchasing coverage well before storm season is essential.

How long before a flood should I deploy StormBag barriers?

Deploy StormBag flood barriers as soon as a flood watch is issued for your area — not when a flood warning arrives. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, giving you the preparation window you need. Each StormBag deploys in approximately 3 minutes, but protecting an entire home requires placing bags at all entry points, which takes time. Acting during the watch phase rather than the warning phase ensures your barriers are in place before water arrives.

What should I do immediately after a flood in my home?

Do not enter until authorities confirm the structure is safe. Once cleared, document all damage with photos and video before touching anything, then contact your insurance provider immediately. Remove standing water as quickly as possible — mold begins growing within 24–48 hours. Discard all food that contacted floodwater, disinfect all affected surfaces, and have the structure inspected by licensed contractors before resuming normal occupancy. If your area receives a federal disaster declaration, register for FEMA Individual Assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Are sandless sandbags FEMA approved for flood protection?

Not all sandless sandbags carry government approval — but StormBag is specifically approved by both FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security for emergency flood mitigation use. This distinction matters because FEMA and DHS approvals reflect formal evaluation of a product's performance under federal criteria, not simply a marketing claim. StormBag has also been field-tested by National Guard units in active flood response operations.