Floods and Your Business

Floods are one of the most common, and most costly, natural disasters. Preventative actions can help protect your business, ensure the safety of your employees, minimize damage to your property, and speed the recovery process.

Floods Preparedness Factsheet

Related Websites

Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
Website with links to specific disaster cleanup and hazard topics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Floods
CDC's main website of flood preparedness, response and recovery information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Website with FEMA flood maps - find flood maps for your area or address.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Flood Cleanup
Webstite with booklets and posters on flood cleanup and indoor air quality issues - available in multiple languages.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Floods
FEMA's main website on flood information and resources, including flood risk maps.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Mold After a Disaster
Website with links to flyers, public service announcements, and resources regarding mold cleanup and safety after a flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Natural Hazards: Floods
Main website of the USGS on flood related resources, including mapping of flood and high flow water conditions in the United States.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

NOAA River Conditions Website
Monitor river conditions in your area for flood watches and warnings.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Ready America: Floods
Main website for FEMAs Ready America Program containing flood preparedness tips and resources.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Recovering From and Coping With Flood Damaged Property
Web site with resources and tips for cleaning and saving water damaged property, such as family treasures, books, photos, valuables.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Additional Web Resources

Business: General

100-Year Flood - It's All About Chance
Information explaining the concept and uncertanties of the "100-year" flood.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Add Waterproof Veneer to Exterior Walls
Factsheet on protecting your property from shallow flood waters using waterproof veneer.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Anchor Fuel Tanks
Factsheet on how to anchor a fuel tank to protect it and your home or business during flooding situations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Build with Flood-Damage Resistant Materials
Factsheet on protecting your property from flooding through the use of flood damage resistant building materials.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Building a Sandbag Dike
Video (5.25 minutes) discussing how to properly build a sandbag dike.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach After an Emergency
Recommendations and safety tips for using bleach for cleaning and sanitizing after an emergency.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Cleaning Flood-Damaged Carpets and Rugs
Factsheet on how to handle carpeting and rugs damaged during flood situations.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Cleanup of Flood Water
Recommendations for the cleanup of flood waters and how to protect yourself and your family.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Dry Floodproof Your Building
Factsheet on measures for protecting building structures from flood waters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

During Floods
Information on actions to take during a flood.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Electrical Systems and Appliances: General Clean-up and What to do Before the Electrician Arrives
Factsheet describing steps to take with electrical systems and appliances following a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Flood Clean-Up: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems
Document discusses the effects of flooding on long-term air quality and the steps that can be taken to decrease these effects.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home Poster
Poster discussing safet flood cleanup measures.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems
Factsheet discussing long-term indoor air quality problems following flooding situations and how you can lessen these effects.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Flood Damaged Walls, Ceilings, And Floors
Instructions on cleaning up walls, ceilings, and floors damaged by floods.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Flood Hazards - A National Threat
Factsheet describing the impact of floods and USGS monitoring efforts.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Flood Terms
Definitions of general flood terms.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Flood-Damaged Walls, Ceilings and Floors
Factsheet on how to remove moisture, clean and repair your property after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Flooding: A Checklist for Small and Very Small Meat, Poultry and Egg Processing Plants
Checklist for small processing plants to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding situations.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS)

Floods: Sanitation and Hygiene
Factsheet discussing personal sanitation and hygiene measures to take after a flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Food Safety After a Flood
Factsheet discussing food safety issues following a flood.
National Safety Council

Install Sewer Backflow Valves
Factsheet on prevention measures to take to protect your property from sewage backups.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Key Facts about Flood Readiness
Basic steps to take to prepare for a flood, including emergency supplies you may need.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Large Floods in the United States: Where They Happen and Why
Document discussing the largest floods that have occurred within the United States.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

NIOSH Warns of Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work
Inforamtion on potential hazards during farm and business cleanup after a flood.
National Institute for Occupational Saftey and Health (NIOSH)

Planning Ahead: Sump Pump Tips
Video discussing preparedness measures to take for your sump pumpt prior to a flooding situation.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

Plugging Home Drains to Prevent Sewage Backup
Factsheet discussing why and how to plug home drains to prevent sewage backup during flooding or heavy rain situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

Prevent Illness After a Natural Disaster
Factsheet addressing health risks and hazards after a disaster situation. Includes animal and insect related hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning, food and water safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Prevent or Respond to a Snake Bite
Factsheet addressing snake bite prevention or actions following flood situations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Protect Wells From Contamination by Flooding
Factsheet on improving your well to protect it during flood situations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Protect Your Health and Safety After a Flood
Factsheet on health and safety issues following a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Protect Yourself From Chemicals Released During a Natural Disaster
Information on protecting yourself from chemical exposure during flood situations, includes hotline numbers for Poison Control and the EPA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Protect Yourself from Mold
Factsheet of measures for protecting yourself and your family from mold hazards after a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Raise Electrical System Components
Factsheet on raising electrical system components in efforts to protect your property from flooding.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Raise or Floodproof HVAC Equipment
Factsheet on ways to protect HVAC equipment from flooding.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Restoring Heating Systems After a Flood
Factsheet describing steps for restoring a heating system after a flood situation.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Rodent And Snake Control After A Flood
Factsheet on safety and elimination of rodents and snakes after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Rodent and Snake Control: Safety Precuautions and Elimination
Factsheet listing safety measures to take for snake and rodent control after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension

Rodent Control After a Disaster
Recommendations to help residents reduce the risk of disease or personal injury associated with rodents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Sandbagging for Flood Protection
Factsheet discussing how to properly build a sandbag dike.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

Sandbagging Safety Tips
Video discussing safety tips to remember when filling sandbags during flood situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

Septic Systems: Before, During and After an Emergency
Information on maintaining your septic system before, during and after an flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Utilities and Structure Safety After a Flood
Factsheet discussing safety issues involved (e.g., gas, electric, carbon monoxide) when entering your home or a building after a flooding situation.
National Safety Council

What To Do After the Flood: Private Drinking Water Wells
Factsheet with recommended measures for the emergency disinfection of wells that have been flooded.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

What to Do After the Flood: Septic Systems
Factsheet with recommendations for addressing septic systems following a flood situation.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Employees

Protect Your Health and Safety After a Flood
Factsheet on health and safety issues following a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Business: Property Resources