Flooding

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

In Friendswood, floods may:

  • Result from rain, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows from other water systems.
  • Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
  • Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings and create landslides.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A FLOOD WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
  • Depending on the type of flooding:
    • Evacuate if told to do so.
    • Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
    • Stay where you are.
  1. Prepare NOW
  2. Survive DURING
  3. Be Safe AFTER

NOW

  • Sign up for the Friendswood Notification System. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
  • Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit Flood Risk in Friendswood or FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
  • If flash flooding is a risk in your location monitor potential signs, such as heavy rain.
  • Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans and flash flood response.
  • Build an emergency supply kit in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off.
  • Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy, including contents coverage. Homeowner’s (and some Renter's) policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster.
  • Create and maintain a household inventory. Take photos and videos of all household items and valuables. This includes documenting the makes, models, and serial numbers for all major appliances and pieces of electronic equipment.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
  • Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.