Most people don’t know they’re in a flood until it’s already too late. One moment it’s raining hard, the next your street becomes a river. Water doesn’t knock. It slips under doors, fills basements, wrecks cars, and makes roads vanish. You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your preparation.
This list isn’t for someday. It’s for now. Because if you wait until the sirens start, you’re already out of time. These 25 items should be packed, reachable, and ready before the first drop falls.
🖨️ Quick Print PDF List
1️⃣ Waterproof Go Bag
Your entire response plan needs to fit in this one bag. It has to survive rain, mud, drops, and chaos.
- Choose a heavy-duty dry bag or waterproof backpack that holds at least 30 liters
- Pack IDs, cash, insurance paperwork, and emergency contacts in zip-seal bags
- Include a full change of clothes, spare socks, phone charger, and a laminated checklist of key contacts and plans
- If it’s not already packed and staged by the door or in your car, it’s not ready
2️⃣ Headlamp
Floods and power outages go hand in hand. If it’s dark and your hands aren’t free, you’re in trouble.
- A headlamp beats a flashlight every time during a crisis
- Choose one that’s water-resistant, has a strong beam, and takes standard batteries
- Store it inside your go bag with at least two full sets of spares, sealed in a dry pouch
3️⃣ Portable Power Bank
Your phone is how you call for help, check maps, and get updates. But it’s just a paperweight if the battery dies.
- Pick a reliable power bank with at least 10,000 mAh capacity
- Test it monthly and recharge after every use
- Keep it in your bag fully charged — never assume you’ll have an outlet when you need one
4️⃣ Waterproof Boots or Waders
Floodwater isn’t just wet — it’s filthy, sharp, and often toxic. Your footwear is your shield.
- Use rubber boots that rise above the ankle or, better yet, chest waders if you live near flood-prone zones
- Avoid sandals, sneakers, or anything with open mesh
- Toss in two pairs of wool socks and store them in a sealed plastic bag
5️⃣ Emergency Radio
When cell towers go out and the internet is gone, this is what’s left.
- A small NOAA-compatible radio gives you weather alerts, updates, and local emergency info
- Get one with crank or solar charging so you’re not dependent on batteries
- Wrap it in a towel or cloth and pack it deep in your go bag to protect it from impact
6️⃣ Clean Water Supply
When floodwaters rise, tap water can become unsafe fast. Even a short outage can leave you scrambling.
- Store at least one gallon per person per day for three days
- Use sealed, store-bought jugs or fill your own in food-grade containers
- Keep a few small bottles in your go bag for mobility
- Bonus: stash a few water purification tablets or a filter straw as backup
7️⃣ Basic First Aid Kit
Flood zones are full of hidden hazards — glass, metal, nails, bacteria. You need to treat injuries quickly.
- Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, gloves, gauze, and medical tape
- Add pain relievers, allergy meds, and any prescription backups
- Store it all in a waterproof pouch or small case inside your bag
8️⃣ Important Documents Folder
Losing your home is one thing. Losing proof that it was yours makes recovery much harder.
- Make waterproof or laminated copies of your driver’s license, birth certificates, insurance policies, vehicle titles, and bank info
- Include a printed list of passwords, emergency contacts, and medical details
- Store this folder in a zip-sealed pouch within your go bag
9️⃣ Food That Doesn’t Spoil
You can’t rely on rescue teams to feed you, and stores may be shut or underwater.
- Pack at least three days of shelf-stable food: granola bars, peanut butter, canned tuna, trail mix, protein bars, or MREs
- Choose lightweight, no-cook items with long shelf lives
- Include a manual can opener if using canned food
🔟 Manual Phone Numbers List
If your phone dies or the cloud won’t load, you need critical numbers the old-school way.
- Write down names and numbers for family, doctors, insurance, and emergency services
- Include nearby shelters, hotels, and pet boarding facilities if you have animals
- Keep one copy in your bag and another taped inside your glovebox
1️⃣1️⃣ Emergency Blanket or Compact Sleeping Bag
Hypothermia isn’t just a cold-weather problem — wet clothes and wind can drop your body temp fast.
- Use a space blanket (Mylar) or a small, compressible sleeping bag
- It should be lightweight, waterproof, and easy to stash in your go bag
- Carry one for each person in your household, even in warmer climates
1️⃣2️⃣ Multi-Tool or Pocket Knife
In a disaster, tools aren’t optional — they’re survival gear.
- Choose a stainless steel multi-tool with pliers, screwdriver, and blade
- Useful for cutting seatbelts, turning off gas valves, opening cans, or fixing broken gear
- Store it where you can reach it fast, not buried under clothes
1️⃣3️⃣ Dust Masks or N95 Respirators
Floodwaters stir up more than mud. You may be walking into mold, sewage, or chemical fumes.
- N95 or KN95 masks offer protection when air quality drops indoors or out
- Include a few disposable masks in your go bag, sealed from moisture
- Handy if shelters are crowded or you’re cleaning up afterward
1️⃣4️⃣ Glow Sticks or Safety Signal Lights
When it’s dark, wet, and loud, visibility can save your life.
- Glow sticks last for hours and work even in heavy rain
- Clip-on LED safety lights are reusable and can be attached to your bag or jacket
- Helps rescuers find you, especially in low visibility or night evacuations
1️⃣5️⃣ Deck of Cards or Compact Game
Waiting it out in a shelter or car gets old fast — and panic spreads in silence.
- Small distractions can help kids and adults stay calm and focused
- A deck of cards, mini puzzle book, or small game can ease stress when there’s nothing to do but wait
- Mental health matters, even during chaos
1️⃣6️⃣ Hygiene Kit
When water is everywhere except where you need it, staying clean becomes a challenge — and a health risk.
- Include toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and feminine products
- Pack items in a waterproof pouch or resealable bag
- Don’t forget a small towel and a bar of soap in a travel case
1️⃣7️⃣ Whistle
Your voice won’t carry far in floodwaters — especially if you’re tired, cold, or stuck somewhere isolated.
- A whistle cuts through wind and noise better than yelling
- Keep one clipped to your bag, belt loop, or life jacket
- Three short blasts is the universal signal for help
1️⃣8️⃣ Pet Go Bag
Your pets depend on you, and they panic just like people do.
- Pack food, collapsible bowls, a leash, medications, and vaccination records
- Include a small blanket and a comforting toy
- Label the bag with your pet’s name and your contact info
1️⃣9️⃣ Copies of Your Flood Insurance Policy
When the water recedes, the paperwork begins — and delays cost money.
- Keep printed and digital copies of your flood insurance policy in your go bag
- Include the claims number and your agent’s contact info
- Add photos of your home’s current condition, stored on a USB or cloud link
2️⃣0️⃣ Small Crowbar or Pry Tool
After the flood, doors may be swollen shut or blocked by debris. You need a way to get in or out.
- A compact pry bar can help you escape or rescue someone trapped
- Choose something lightweight but strong, around 12 to 18 inches
- Store it in your car or near your exit — not buried in a closet
2️⃣1️⃣ Extra Set of Car Keys
Losing your only set during a rush evacuation can leave you stranded.
- Store a spare key in your go bag or in a lockbox outside your home
- If you have multiple drivers, make sure each person has their own set
- Include keys to storage units, gates, or sheds if those matter in your exit plan
2️⃣2️⃣ Local Paper Map
If GPS goes down, you’re on your own — especially in areas where roads vanish under water.
- Print or buy a waterproof map of your local region and surrounding evacuation routes
- Mark shelters, hospitals, and backup destinations ahead of time
- Fold it and seal it in a plastic sleeve
2️⃣3️⃣ Rain Ponchos or Emergency Jackets
Being soaked for hours can wreck your body and your morale.
- Pack a lightweight poncho or waterproof shell for each family member
- Choose bright colors for visibility
- Store rolled or folded tightly in your go bag
2️⃣4️⃣ Cash in Small Bills
Power’s out, ATMs are down, and vendors can’t take cards. You still need to eat.
- Carry a small stash of bills — $1s, $5s, $10s
- Keep it hidden in two different spots in your gear
- Don’t rely on Venmo when there’s no signal
2️⃣5️⃣ Compact Fire Extinguisher
It sounds strange, but house fires spike during floods — short circuits, gas leaks, and candles can spark disaster.
- Use a small, all-purpose ABC-rated extinguisher
- Keep one near your exit and one in your vehicle
- Teach everyone in the home how to use it before they ever need it
Floods are fast, ruthless, and completely indifferent to your plans. But you don’t have to be powerless. When the water rises, what you’ve packed is what you have. No one can bring it to you once the roads are gone. The time to prepare is now, when everything still works and you still have choices.
Use this list as a checklist, a packing plan, or a conversation starter with your family. Print it. Tape it near your front door. Double-check it before every storm season. You can’t control the flood, but you can control how ready you are when it comes.
