Disasters · Immediate reference · Basic
Floods: Turn Around, Don't Drown
Never walk, drive or take transit through floodwater. A few inches is enough to knock you down or float your car.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Most flood deaths happen in vehicles. Turn Around, Don't Drown.
- 01
Know the numbers
6 inches of moving water can knock an adult down. 12 inches can float most cars. 2 feet of moving water sweeps away SUVs and trucks.
- 02
Turn around
Never drive, bike, walk or ride a bus through a flooded road. You can't see whether the road underneath has washed out. If your car stalls and water rises, get out and move to higher ground.
- 03
Get high, not trapped
Move to higher ground. If water enters your home, go to the highest floor — but not a closed attic, where you can get trapped. Go to the roof only if you must, and signal for help.
- 04
Treat floodwater as poison
Floodwater carries sewage, chemicals and live electricity from downed lines. Avoid contact, wash with clean water and soap, and throw out any food that touched it.
- 05
After the flood
Return only when officials say it's safe. Don't turn power back on in a wet house. Follow boil-water advisories.