What People Need for a Flood

A flood can form quickly, leaving you stranded in your home or car, unable to go get supplies or help. Prepare for an emergency flood situation with a homemade flood supply kit. Include all the items you will need to survive at least 3-to-5 days.

Food and Water

• Fresh water is one of the most important items for any emergency situation that limits your access to clean drinking water. Your kit should ideally have enough clean containers to store 5 gallons of water per person. When you get warnings of a possible flood, fill the containers. This gives you a 3-to-5-day supply of water for each person. You also need to have some form of water purification supplies, such as water purification tablets.

  You should also have a 3-to-5-day supply of food for everyone in your home. Keep a non-electric can opener with the food. You don't want to be caught with a 3-to-5-day supply of canned food only to discover you can't open it because you only have an electric can opener and flooding has cut off power to your house.

Medical Items

• Include a first aid kit in with your flood supplies. Items such as bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, pain killers, thermometer and latex gloves are important in case someone is injured and you can't get to the hospital right away. Include a 3-to-5-day supply of any prescription medicines or other special medical items anyone in your home needs, such as inhalers for asthma.

Hygiene

• While bathing might not be at the top of your priority list in an emergency situation, you do want to keep some hygiene items in your flood kit. Being able to practice at least a small level of hygiene will make everyone a bit more comfortable in such an uncomfortable situation. Keep a tub of baby wipes in the kit for sponge bathing. Also keep items like extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and sanitary napkins.

Babies and Pets

• Remember to include babies and pets when considering what to put in your flood kit. Pets will need food and water just as the human members of your family do. Babies will need diapers, formula, baby food and extra baby wipes.

Miscellaneous Items

• Besides for health, hygiene, food and water items you should also keep a few miscellaneous items in the kit. A battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries for each are important to include so you can keep track of what is happening outside and so you can see. Include candles with a lighter for extra light and as small sources of heat. Keep a few clothing items in the kit for everyone in the home. The clothing items should include rubber boots, sturdy shoes, waterproof gloves, long-sleeve shirts and long pants to protect you from the water as well as from mosquitoes. You also need bug netting and bug spray to fight any mosquitoes. Keep items such as sleeping bags, pillows and extra blankets with your flood supplies.

Car Kit

• Keeping a flood kit in your car is a smart idea if you live in a particularly flood-prone area. You may find yourself stuck out on the road during flash flooding. Keep food, flares, car-related tools such as booster cables, a first aid kit, a map, fire extinguisher and blankets in the car. You may also want to keep a charged cell phone in your car -- even if the cell phone isn't on a plan, you can still call 911 from the phone so long as you can turn it on and get a signal.