• Know the flood risk in your area 
• Visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for information 
• Create a family disaster plan 
• Assemble an emergency kit 
• Learn and practice evacuation routes 
• Purchase or renew flood insurance if you are at risk 
• Make sure you have a portable radio and flashlights in working order 
• Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training 

• San Bernardino County Fire Emergency Alert Systems 
• San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department TENS 

• Have check-valves installed in your home’s sewer traps to prevent flood waters from backing sewage up into house 
• Check your roof for leaks. Clean out gutters and other drainage areas 
• Bring outdoor belongings, such as patio furniture, indoors.  
• Move valuable furnishings to the upper floors or to safe ground  
• If you are instructed to do so by local authorities, turn off all utilities 
• As a last resort, use corks or stoppers to plug showers, tubs, or basins 

• Practice your family emergency plan 
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information 
• Explain to your kids how to prepare and respond to disasters 
• Ensure that your children know how to swim 
• Teach them to stay away from storm drains--flood channels can be extremely dangerous and are no place to play! 
• Establish a safe house and the safest route to get there 
• Teach children to seek out high ground when water is rising 
• Choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in contact”  
• Teach all family members how and when to turn off utilities 
• Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone 

Pick two meeting places in case you get separated in a disaster:  

1. a safe distance from your home in case of a home fire 
2. outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home 

If indoors: 

• Get your pre-assembled emergency supplies 
• If instructed to evacuate, do so immediately 
• If indoors, move to the second floor and, if necessary, to the roof 
• Use battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information 
• Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case water becomes contaminated
• Do not touch any electrical equipment  

If outdoors:

• Climb to high ground and remain there
• Avoid walking through any floodwaters

If in a car: 

• Flooding waters can rise rapidly!
• If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way
• If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible 

• Do not try to swim to safety  
• Signal and wait for help 
• Rescue teams will be looking for you 
• Beware of downed electrical lines 
• Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber gloves and rubber-soled boots or shoes

• Do not return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so 
• Stay out of buildings if flooding waters remain  
• If you must enter buildings, use extreme caution 
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots  
• Inspect foundations, walls, floors, doors, windows for cracks or other damage  
• Is the building in danger? Stay out until an engineer can inspect it 
• Check utilities for leaks 
• Turn off outside gas lines at the meter or tank and let the house air for several minutes  
• Use battery-powered flashlight—an oil lamp or candle can ignite gas 
• Do not turn on lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits. 
• Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before making certain that the main power switch is turned off 
• Watch out for animals (especially poisonous snakes) that may have come into your home with the flooding waters. 
• Use a stick to poke through debris— watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could collapse 

• Take pictures of the damage both to the house and its contents for insurance claims 
• Dispose all food--including canned good—that have made contact with flooding waters, which carry bacteria 
• Throw out any previously opened medicine that has come in contact with flood waters 
• Boil water for drinking and cooking for 10 minutes (until public water systems has are declared safe again) 
• Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage 
• Contact your insurance agent  
• Apply for disaster assistance aid