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Avoiding Flood Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners

Do you know your flood

risk?

Call your local emergency management office, building department or floodplain management

office for information about

flooding. Ask to see a flood map

of your community. There may

be a projected flood elevation for

your neighborhood. This information will help you determine

how much water is likely to

come in.

Do you have enough flood

insurance?

Even if you have taken steps to

protect your home from flooding, you still need flood insurance if you live in a floodplain.

Homeowners’ policies do not

cover flood damage, so you will

probably need to purchase a separate policy under the National

Flood Insurance Program

(NFIP). 

It takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect. This is why

you need to purchase flood

insurance before flooding occurs.

If your insurance agent is 

unable to write a flood policy,

call 1-800-638-6620 for 

information.

Is the main electric switchbox located above potential

flood waters?

The main electric panel board

(electric fuses or circuit breakers)

should be at least 12” above the

projected flood elevation for

your home. The panel board

height is regulated by code. All

electrical work should be done

by a licensed electrician.

Are electric outlets and

switches located above

potential flood waters?

Consider elevating all electric

outlets, switches, light sockets, 

baseboard heaters and wiring at

least 12” above the projected

flood elevation for your home. 

You may also want to elevate

electric service lines (at the point

they enter your home) at least

12” above the projected flood

elevation.

In areas that could get wet, connect all receptacles to a ground

fault interrupter (GFI) circuit 

to avoid the risk of shock or

electrocution. 

Have electrical wiring done by a

licensed electrician.

Are the washer and dryer

above potential flood waters?

For protection against shallow

flood waters, the washer and

dryer can sometimes be elevated

on masonry or pressure-treated

lumber at least 12” above the

projected flood elevation. Other

options are moving the washer

and dryer to a higher floor, or

building a floodwall around the

appliances.

Are the furnace and water

heater above potential flood

waters?

The furnace and water heater

can be placed on masonry blocks

or concrete at least 12” above the

projected flood elevation, moved

to inside a floodwall or moved to

a higher floor. (You have more

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Are you looking for ways to protect your home from flooding? There are many things you can

do, depending on the flood hazard in your area, the characteristics of your property, and the

zoning and building codes in your community. Some methods are fairly simple and inexpensive;

others will require a professional contractor.

This homeowner’s checklist will help you become familiar with what you can do. For more information about the costs and benefits of each method, talk to a professional builder, architect or

contractor. You should also ask your building department about building permit requirements.

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options for protecting a new 

furnace. Ask your utility about

rebates for new energy efficient

furnaces. The rebate plus the

savings in fuel costs could make

the purchase feasible.)

Furnaces that operate horizontally

can be suspended from ceiling

joists if the joists are strong

enough to hold the weight.

Installing a draft-down furnace

in the attic may be an option if

allowed by local codes. Some

heating vents can be located

above the projected flood 

elevation.

Outside air conditioning compressors, heat pumps or package units

(single units that include a furnace

and air conditioner) can be placed

on a base of masonry, concrete or

pressure treated lumber.

All work must conform to state

and local building codes.

Is the fuel tank anchored

securely?

A fuel tank can tip over or float

in a flood, causing fuel to spill or

catch fire. Cleaning up a house

that has been inundated with

flood waters containing fuel oil

can be extremely difficult and

costly. 

Fuel tanks should be securely

anchored to the floor. Make

sure vents and fill line openings

are above projected flood levels.

Propane tanks are the property 

of the propane company. You’ll

need written permission to

anchor them. Ask whether the

company can do it first.

Be sure all work conforms to

state and local building codes.

Does the floor drain have a

float plug?

Install a floating floor drain plug

at the current drain location. 

If the floor drain pipe backs 

up, the float will rise and plug

the drain.

Does the sewer system have

a backflow valve?

If flood waters enter the sewer

system, sewage can back up and

enter your home. To prevent

this, have a licensed plumber

install an interior or exterior 

backflow valve. Check with 

your building department for

permit requirements.

You may have other options for

avoiding flood damage depending on your needs and financial resources. These include

building drainage systems

around the property, sealing

openings such as low windows,

building levees, constructing

exterior floodwalls around

basement doors and window

wells, improving exterior walls,

elevating buildings above projected flood levels and relocating buildings away from floodplains. 

For more information, talk to 

a professional builder, architect

or contractor. Ask your building department about building

permit requirements.

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