Flood emergency kit: what to pack and prepare

Floods give some warning, but rarely much. The kit has two jobs: keep documents, power and light dry, and give you safe drinking water when the tap water can’t be trusted.

Before it happens

• Know whether your home is in a flood zone, and your evacuation route.
• Keep documents in a waterproof pouch, ready to grab.
• Move valuables and electronics upstairs when a warning is issued.
• Never walk or drive through floodwater.

When it happens

• Turn around, don’t drown. 15 cm (6 in) of moving water can knock you over, and 30 cm (1 ft) can sweep a car away.
• Move to higher ground, or upstairs, and evacuate when told to.
• Turn off gas, electricity and water if you have time and it is safe to do so. Don’t touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Afterwards

• Return only when the authorities say it is safe.
• Treat floodwater as contaminated with sewage and chemicals: wear gloves and boots, and wash your hands.
• Don’t drink tap water until the water company says it is safe.
• Photograph the damage for your insurer before you clean up.
• Run generators and pumps outdoors only, never inside or in a garage.

The kit

Start with the L1 kit (72 hours). For this hazard, these items matter most:

• Emergency radio
• Adjustable wrench (utility shut-off)
• Go-bag backpack
• Waterproof document pouch
• Portable water filter
• Water purification tablets
• Bathtub water bladder
• Encrypted USB stick with document scans
• Water storage for two weeks
• Gravity water filter (household)
• Bottled drinking water
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets
• Oral rehydration salts (electrolytes)
• Unscented household bleach (water treatment)

Sources: Ready.gov (FEMA), UK Environment Agency. Last reviewed: October 2026.