Flood Preparedness Resources

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 98 percent of U.S. counties have been affected by a flooding event. In 2019, parts of the Midwest experienced major flooding that damaged roads, farms and other businesses, and homes. As the 2020 rainy season approaches, it is important that disaster behavioral health professionals, as well as individuals and families, prepare their communities and themselves for flood events.

The following resources provide guidance for flood planning and preparedness and information for helping to deal with the stress that may occur during and after a flood.

Flood Resources

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides information and resources for families and caregivers of children to assist them before, during, and after a flood event. The web page also links to several resources that focus on coping, Psychological First Aid, and activities for children.

Flood Resource List

In this list, the U.S. Department of Education’s Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center presents its fact sheet series focused on flood preparedness for education agencies. There are fact sheets customized for K–12 schools, institutions of higher education, and state education agencies. This document also lists resources on developing a flood-related annex to a disaster plan, data sources on flooding, and sources of flood alerts and communications.

How To Prepare for a Flood

Developed by FEMA, this guide prepares individuals for all aspects of flood events. It explains the risks of floods and how to protect yourself and your property. It also gives information about documenting damages and utilizing flood insurance.

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