Flood Safety
Floods can happen anytime, anywhere. Make sure you are prepared!
Before the Flood
- Have a flood evacuation plan in place before flooding occurs
- Know your evacuation route (PDF)
- Currituck County does NOT operate pre-storm shelters
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Make an inventory of your home’s contents with photos and/or video
- Sign up for Currituck Alert, Currituck County’s mass notification system
- Follow evacuation orders
- Lock all doors and windows before leaving your home
- Turn off the electricity at the main breaker as needed
- Unplug appliances
- Turn off gas at the outside source if you know how
- Secure outdoor items
- Take important documents
During the Flood
Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
DO NOT
- walk
- swim
- or drive
through flood waters.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water. Flood waters may be deep or contaminated.
If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once there, signal for help.
After the Flood
- Return home only when authorities say it is safe
- Avoid wading in floodwater. Floodwater can contain dangerous debris and be contaminated. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Photograph damage to your property
- Contact your insurance agent
- Throw out any food, including canned items, that was not maintained at a proper temperature or has been exposed to floodwaters. Do not eat food from a flooded garden. When in doubt, throw it out
- Wear heavy gloves and boots during clean up
Follow 5 basic steps:
- Air Out
- Move Out
- Tear Out
- Clean Out
- Dry Out
Seek out professional services and/or guidance before attempting to repair flood-damaged property.