Prepare for Potential Flooding

Easy first steps to prepare for potential flooding

• Get a NOAA Weather Radio
• Create a Family Emergency Plan
• Build an Emergency Supply Kit
• Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

Community evacuation plan

Many communities have emergency evacuation plans, especially those with levees. Be aware of your local emergency evacuation plan. Contact your county emergency manager to find out more about the plan.

• Example - The City of Muscatine's Evacuation Plan
• County Emergency Manager Contacts

Flood insurance

Flood Insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary method of managing financial flood risk.

• FloodSmart.gov
• The Value of Flood Insurance
• Iowa DNR - National Flood Insurance Program
• What does Flood Insurance Cover?

Reducing flood risk for individuals

• FEMA: How to Reduce Damage from Future Storms
• Flood Risk Adaptive measures and Flood Proofing Information
• FEMA: Mitigate Flood Risk - Best Practices
• Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage

Reducing flood risk for communities

Federal and state agencies provide a number of programs and authorities to assist communities in better understanding and responding to their communities flood risk.

• FEMA: Federal Flood Risk Management Standard
• HSEM: Hazard Mitigation Program
• HSEM: Flood Mitigation Assistance
• USACE: Continuing Authorities Program
• FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Program
• USGS: Cooperative Matching Funds
• USDA/NRCS: Programs & Initiatives
• Conservation Districts of Iowa

Reducing flood risk for businesses

• Red Cross: Preparing Employees & Workplaces for Emergencies
• Ready.gov: Preparedness Planning for Businesses

Get involved

• Ready Iowa: Get involved in your community
• Ready.gov: Get involved
• Volunteer Iowa: Register as a disaster volunteer
• Volunteer through Iowa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
• Contact elected officials & help shape voting decisions