Veteran Owned, Family Operated
BASED ON 76 REVIEWS
Flooding can develop quickly. By the time water begins moving across a road, filling a drainage ditch, or collecting around a foundation, the safest window for preparing your family and home may already be closing.
Good flood preparation starts before the forecast becomes urgent. A household plan, reliable emergency information, the right supplies, and a few practical home flood protection measures can give you more options when heavy rain or rising water threatens East Tennessee or Southwest Virginia.
These flood preparation tips cover what to do before a flood, what to prioritize during a warning, and the first steps to take once the water recedes.
Have a flood action plan
Everyone in the household should know where to go, how to communicate, and what to take if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Choose one meeting place near your home and another outside the immediate neighborhood. Pick an out-of-area family member or friend as a common contact if local phone networks are congested. Make sure children know who that person is.
Know at least two possible evacuation routes. Floodwater can close a road that would normally be your first choice.
Important insurance information, identification, medication lists, emergency contacts, and property records should be stored in a waterproof container or backed up securely online. Ready.gov also recommends making a family communication plan before an emergency begins.
Use the official Ready.gov family emergency planning resources to build or review your household plan.
Use the Ameri-Dry Flood Emergency Checklist to keep evacuation steps, supplies, and home-preparation tasks in one place.
Know where to get reliable local information
Weather apps are useful, but evacuation orders, road closures, shelter information, and local emergency instructions should come from official sources.
Homeowners in Ameri-Dry's service area can bookmark:
- Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency
- Washington County Alerts and Notifications
- Sullivan County Emergency Management
- Greeneville-Greene County Emergency Management
- Tennessee Emergency Management Agency preparedness resources
TEMA recommends having more than one way to receive warnings, including mobile alerts and NOAA Weather Radio.
Understand flood insurance vs homeowners insurance
Do not wait until flooding is forecast to find out what your policy covers.
FEMA states that most property insurance policies do not cover damage caused directly by flooding. Flood coverage generally must be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. NFIP policies also typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, with limited exceptions.
Review your building and contents coverage, deductibles, basement limitations, claims contact information, and policy numbers now. FEMA notes that NFIP coverage in basements is limited, particularly for finished improvements and many personal belongings.
For a more detailed explanation of flood insurance vs homeowners insurance, see FEMA's flood insurance guidance.
Build a flood emergency kit
A flood emergency checklist should cover both sheltering at home and leaving quickly.
Keep several days of water and nonperishable food, prescription medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a portable radio, backup phone chargers, hygiene supplies, pet necessities, waterproof boots, gloves, and some cash.
Prepare a smaller go-bag with identification, medication, chargers, basic clothing, water, food, and copies of important documents. Keep it somewhere you can reach without going into a basement or other flood-prone part of the house.
Ready.gov provides a current emergency supply kit checklist that can help households plan for several days without normal services.
Prepare your home before flooding starts
Some steps can help when a storm is hours away. Others reduce the chance of water getting in during the next heavy rain.
Short-term steps when heavy rain or flooding is approaching
Clean leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, area drains, window wells, and drainage paths around the house. Blocked drainage can leave large amounts of rainwater collecting close to the foundation.
Test your sump pump before the storm. If it has a battery backup, confirm that the battery is charged and working.
Move boxes, electronics, furniture, important documents, and valuables off basement and crawl-space floors. FEMA recommends moving valued items to higher levels before flooding.
If you have time and can do so safely, unplug vulnerable electrical equipment before water reaches the area. Never enter standing water to unplug equipment or reach a breaker.
Temporary flood barriers or properly placed sandbags may help redirect shallow surface water in some situations, but they are an emergency measure. They do not correct groundwater pressure, foundation drainage problems, leaking cracks, or an inadequate waterproofing system.
Long-term basement flood prevention
Start by looking at where water goes every time it rains.
Gutters and downspouts should carry roof runoff away from the foundation. Low areas around the house may need grading or drainage improvements so water moves away rather than collecting against basement or crawl-space walls.
A sump pump can remove water that reaches the collection system, but FEMA recommends considering a battery-powered backup because storms can also cause power failures.
Foundation cracks, repeated seepage at the wall-floor joint, water entering a crawl space, or a basement that routinely becomes damp after heavy rain deserve a closer inspection. Effective basement flood prevention addresses the route water is taking into the structure instead of relying on cleanup after every storm.
For homes with recurring water problems, see how Ameri-Dry's basement waterproofing systems work.
First steps after a flood
Before cleanup starts, make sure the home is safe to enter and document the damage.
Wait until local officials say it is safe to return. Ready.gov advises homeowners to stay alert for electrical hazards and never touch wet electrical equipment or equipment while standing in water. If electricity can be shut off safely, doing so can reduce electrocution risk.
Once it is safe to enter:
- Photograph affected rooms, damaged belongings, and visible water lines before cleanup changes the scene.
- Contact your insurance company and begin the claims process.
- Wear boots, gloves, protective clothing, and appropriate respiratory protection during cleanup.
- Arrange for standing water to be removed and affected areas dried.
- Have the basement, crawl space, and foundation inspected to identify how the water entered before damaged finishes are rebuilt.
Keep your insurance agent, utility providers, emergency contacts, and waterproofing contractor in your recovery list.
Ameri-Dry homeowners can call (423) 328-8825 for the Tri-Cities office or (865) 351-1854 for the Knoxville office.
Reduce the chance of the next flood becoming the same problem
Once the water is gone, inspect how it entered before rebuilding damaged areas.
Ameri-Dry can evaluate recurring basement water, wet crawl spaces, foundation problems, and drainage issues that may leave the lower level of a home vulnerable during future storms.
Founded by Barry Antonelli in 1978, Ameri-Dry has spent decades helping homeowners across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia address basement water problems. That experience helps the team identify where water is entering and recommend a lasting solution before the next heavy rain.
Identifying the water-entry point before rebuilding helps the repair plan address the source rather than only the visible damage.
Request a free Ameri-Dry inspection to find out what caused the water problem and what can be done to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Flood preparation FAQ
What should I do first if I receive a flood warning?
Check official local alerts immediately and determine whether your area is being told to evacuate. Gather your emergency kit, medications, documents, and pets. If authorities tell you to leave, go without waiting to see whether water reaches your property. Ready.gov recommends moving to higher ground or a higher floor when appropriate and evacuating immediately when instructed.
Do I need to turn off the electricity during a flood?
If water may enter your home, know where your electrical shutoff is before the emergency. Ready.gov advises turning off electricity to prevent shock if it is safe to do so. Never touch the breaker, electrical equipment, or cords while standing in water or if equipment is already wet.
Where should I stay during a flood?
Follow local evacuation and shelter instructions. Depending on the flooding, officials may direct you to evacuate, move to higher ground, or move to a higher floor. The FEMA app can also help locate nearby emergency shelters when evacuation is necessary.
Can I drive through a flooded road if the water looks shallow?
No. One of the most important flood safety tips is to turn around when water covers a roadway. Ready.gov states that six inches of moving water can knock a person down and one foot can sweep away a vehicle.
How do I prepare for a flood if my basement has leaked before?
Do the immediate preparation first: test the sump pump, clear drainage paths, move valuables higher, and monitor the basement safely. Then schedule an inspection of the recurring water-entry point. Previous leaking can help show where water is entering and which permanent home flood protection measures should be considered.
