10 Essential Items for Your Flood Emergency Kit: A Comprehensive Guide

Flooding is a destructive natural disaster that causes effects for millions of people each year around the world.

Floods result in approximately $10 billion in damages every year in the U.S. With good preparation, risks can be minimized and safety maintained.

This guide lists 10 items to include in your flood emergency kit so that you and your family can respond to this emergency.

Water & Food Supplies

Water Storage: How Much and in What?

Water supply, of course, is important to have. You’ll want to have at least a gallon per person per day.

Make sure to keep water in food-safe, BPA-free, and properly sealed containers. If you are going to put out water, use five-gallon jugs or smaller bottles that are easy to carry.

For more detailed recommendations, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s water storage guidance.

Non-Perishable Food Options

Load up on high-energy, long-hold food items that include:

• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Nut butter
• Granola bars
• Dried fruits
• Canned meats

Consider dietary requirements and provide a variety of snacks. For additional tips on how to put together a balanced emergency food supply, go to the American Red Cross website.

Food Preparation and Safety

Food safety is crucial. Floodwaters can taint food, so keep things sealed and cook and drink only bottled water. Check expiration dates always. Check the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific food safety guidance.

First-Aid & Sanitation

Basic First-Aid Kit Essentials

A fully stocked first-aid kit should include:

• Adhesive bandages
• Antiseptic wipes
• Sterile gauze and medical tape
• Analgesics (for example, ibuprofen)
• Scissors

Check and restock your kit periodically.

Essential Items for Hygiene and Sanitation

Maintaining hygiene in flood-affected areas is essential to avoid infections. Essential sanitation supplies are:

• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes
• Toilet paper
• Menstrual hygiene products

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines on water purification methods.

Personal Healthcare Needs and Medications

Have medications as needed, including prescriptions and allergy medications. Place personal healthcare products in a waterproof bag to protect them.

Lighting & Communication

Quality Flashlights and Spare Batteries

Pick rugged flashlights, like LED or hand-crank types, and bring spare batteries. Keep them in a cool, dry place to avoid spoilage.

Emergency Radio and Communication Devices

A battery-operated or hand-crank radio is essential so you can receive emergency updates. Also, consider two-way radios as a means of communicating with family should cell service not be available.

Portable Chargers and Power Banks

It’s important to keep electronic devices running. Charge up power banks and portable chargers before a storm.

Shelter and Protection

Watertight Bags and Containers

It is critical to keep essential gear and supplies waterproof as outlined here, getting waterproof bags and waterproof sturdy containers. Dry bags or heavy plastic used bins also work well.

Emergency Blankets & Warm Clothing

During flooding, warm clothing and thermal blankets can help prevent hypothermia. These provide the necessary insulation in emergencies.

Protective Gear

Waterproof boots, gloves, and rain gear are essential to staying dry and safe. For advice on protective clothing, check FEMA’s website.

Navigation & Tools

Maps and Navigation Aids

In a flood, GPS may not always be accurate. Have physical maps, a compass, and potentially a GPS device available for navigation.

Essential Tools

Your emergency tool kit should have:

• A multi-tool
• Duct tape
• Ropes

These can be useful for repairing and securing items.

Whistle and Signaling Devices

A whistle or other signaling device can be invaluable in attracting attention. Do keep one easy to reach in your emergency kit.

Documents & Cash

Critical Documents

Collect and store important documents such as identification, insurance policies, and medical records in a waterproof container. Be sure they are easy to find when you need them!!

Cash and Credit Cards

Cash is key because credit card transactions might not function in a flood. Have a lot of small cash on hand to make transactions easier.

Flood Emergency Kit Awareness Table

This table highlights significant flood disasters in the U.S. from 2000 to 2024 and emphasizes the importance of having a Flood Emergency Kit for disaster preparedness.

Year	Flood Disaster	Affected Regions	Impact	Why a Flood Emergency Kit is Essential
2006	Mid-Atlantic Flood	Maryland, Pennsylvania	Up to 17 inches of rain caused severe flooding.	Clean water, food, and medical supplies prevent health risks.
2008	Midwest Flooding	Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri	Widespread river flooding led to massive property damage.	Emergency radios and maps help with navigation and rescue.
2016	West Virginia Floods	West Virginia	23 deaths, $1.2 billion in damages.	First-aid kits and emergency blankets assist in survival.
2016	Louisiana Floods	Louisiana	60+ deaths, $10 billion+ in damages.	Waterproof containers protect important documents and cash.
2017	California Floods	California	Over $1.05 billion in road damages due to heavy rains.	Flashlights and power banks ensure communication in power outages.
2024	Hurricane Helene Flooding	North Carolina, Southeastern states	200+ deaths from catastrophic flooding.	Having a Flood Emergency Kit can save lives in extreme disasters.

Conclusion

• Putting together an all-inclusive flood emergency kit provides you the best opportunity to reduce the hazards caused by flooding.
• Collecting these essential items makes your flood preparedness much safer. Also, review and update your kit regularly to make sure it is up to date.
• Pass the news along to friends and family to prepare them too.

FAQs About Flood Emergency Kits