Flooding — Module 4 · Phase 2: During

Phase 2: During — Response, evacuation and protection of life

GUIDE FOR PEOPLE, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

During a flood, the absolute priority is to protect life.

Conditions can change quickly. A street that appears passable can turn into a dangerous current; a familiar road may have lost part of its surface; the water may be hiding wells, ditches, open manholes, power lines, glass, metal, and other hazards.

In addition, floodwater must be considered potentially contaminated.

For these reasons, decisions must be made in advance and by following the instructions of the competent authorities.

A family in transparent ponchos and rubber boots walks along the sidewalk away from a flooded neighborhood: the grandmother carries a baby in her arms, the mother holds the child's hand, and the father walks with the dog on a leash.

2.1

THE ALERT AND THE DECISION TO EVACUATE

When there is an official warning about a flood that could affect the area:

Stay informed through official sources
gather the people in your care
bring the emergency backpack
keep essential medications available

prepare babies, children, and people who need assistance
secure pets for transportation
activate previously established support networks
get ready to evacuate immediately.

The family gathered by the open door of their home: the mother holds the phone showing the alert notice and the emergency backpack, the father carries the baby, the grandmother holds a bag of medications and the child holds the dog's leash; outside, the flooded street is visible.

Do not wait to:

watch the water approach
finish protecting furniture
move valuables
move vehicles

look for belongings
protect crops
carry out tasks that would delay your departure.

The goal is to carry out a preventive evacuation, not to end up depending on an emergency rescue.

2.2

HOW TO COMMUNICATE AN ALERT

A community or organization must not depend on a single communication system.

Depending on the means available, these may be combined:

sirens
loudspeakers
text messages

phone calls
messaging apps
radio

in-person announcements
visual signals
official alert systems.

Information must be short, unmistakable, and accessible.

When an evacuation is communicated, the following should be stated, whenever the information is available:

What is happening
which area is affected
who must evacuate
where to head

which routes should be used
which routes should be avoided
what instructions the authorities have issued.

It must be taken into account that some people may not hear a siren, may not see a message, may not have a cell phone, or may need assistance to understand the instructions.

2.3

FUNDAMENTAL RULES DURING A FLOOD

OBEY EVACUATION ORDERS

When the authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Do not return until the competent authorities indicate that it is safe to do so.

HEAD FOR A SAFE AREA

Use the previously established routes and follow the official instructions

If a route is flooded, blocked, or presents unsafe conditions, do not try to cross it.

Look for a safe alternative.

DO NOT ENTER FLOODWATER

As a general rule:

Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.

It is not possible to reliably determine whether an area is safe just by looking at the apparent depth.

The water can:

Move with great speed
rise suddenly
hide uneven surfaces
cover open manholes
hide ditches or wells

have washed away part of the road
contain sharp objects
be contaminated
be electrically charged from electrical installations.

For this reason, this GUIDE does not establish a universal floodwater depth that is “safe” to cross.

STAY AWAY FROM ELECTRICITY

Do not go near:

fallen power line
damaged poles
transformers

electrical panels that the water has reached
flooded electrical installations
objects that could be electrically charged.

Never touch a fallen power line.

Keep in mind that water and wet surfaces near electric wiring can be dangerous.

DO NOT GO BACK FOR BELONGINGS

Once an evacuation has begun, do not go back to look for:

documents
money
animals
vehicles
phones

clothing
photographs
forgotten medications (unless the authorities determine a safe way to recover them)
other belongings.

No object justifies exposing yourself to the flood again.

2.4

SHUTTING OFF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND OTHER SERVICES

If there is enough time before evacuating and the authorities or the emergency plan indicate shutting off certain services, do so only if it can be done safely.

Do not try to handle the electrical panel if:

there is water nearby
the floor is wet
you are wet
you would need to enter a flooded area

there are affected cables or electrical equipment
you do not know how to carry out the procedure.

If water has already reached electric wiring, do not try to disconnect them yourself.

Move away and report the situation to the emergency services or the responsible utility company.

The same principle applies to gas: if there is a gas smell, damaged equipment, or any unsafe condition, move away from the area and request specialized assistance.

2.5

FLASH FLOODS

A flash flood can develop in minutes and produce extremely dangerous currents.

It can happen even when it is not raining heavily where you are, because of rainfall that took place upstream.

If you receive a flash flood alert or notice that the water is rising quickly:

Leave low-lying areas immediately
move away from rivers, streams, canals, and channels
do not stay under bridges
do not try to watch the rising water from its banks
do not cross low-water crossings, fords, or bridges covered by water
head for high, safe ground, following the official instructions.

2.6

IF EVACUATION IS STILL POSSIBLE

If you must leave a home or building:

Take only what is essential
wear closed, sturdy footwear
keep your hands free whenever possible
bring the emergency backpack if it is immediately available

keep the members of the group together
help those who need assistance
secure pets
follow the indicated route.

2.7

IF YOU ARE TRAPPED INSIDE A BUILDING

If the water prevents a safe evacuation, do not try to cross it to get out on your own.

Contact the emergency services and provide:

your location (as exact as possible)
the number of people present
the presence of children
the presence of older adults

the presence of people with disabilities
the presence of people who are sick or injured
any immediate danger.

Move to a safe upper level if you can do so without crossing water or exposing yourself to other hazards.

Stay away from:

electrical installations
windows under water pressure

structurally damaged sections
rooms where you could become trapped by rising water.

The Mother talks on the phone next to the staircase while the Grandmother holds the baby and the Father and Son listen attentively.

The family climbs the interior staircase to the upper floor while brown water with debris covers the entrance of the house.

If the water keeps rising, look for higher levels.

Closed attics and crawl spaces can become traps if the water keeps rising and there is no way out to the outside.

For that reason, if you must move to upper levels, keep, whenever possible, an accessible exit route to the outside.

2.8

IF YOU MUST WAIT FOR RESCUE FROM A HIGH PART OF THE BUILDING

If the flood has made evacuation impossible and you must wait for assistance:

Stay at the highest safe point you can reach
report your location
stay visible to rescuers
conserve your phone battery

use whistles, lights, or other available signaling devices
protect people from exposure to cold, rain, wind
keep members of the group together
follow the instructions of the emergency services.

The family watches from the upper-floor balcony as brown water with logs and branches floods the street in the rain.

The Father waves a red cloth from the balcony to signal two rescuers in vests approaching in an orange boat.

The Son blows a red whistle while the Mother shines a flashlight from the balcony toward the flooded area.

The Mother wraps the Grandmother and the baby in a red blanket on the balcony while the Father and Son stay beside them in the rain.

ROOFS

Climbing onto a roof is a last resort, used only when the water keeps rising and there is no other safe location inside the building.

Roofs can be:

wet
slippery
weakened

sloped
structurally damaged

exposed to wind, rain, and objects carried by the wind.

For that reason, do not walk on them unnecessarily.

If a person reaches a roof, they should stay in a stable, visible position and wait for instructions from the rescue teams.

It is not recommended to improvise tying people to each other, to chimneys, or to other structures, since a structure can fail, a rope can cause injury, and an improperly used system can hinder the rescue.

Children and people who need assistance must remain under direct supervision and away from edges or unstable surfaces.

2.9

IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN AN ATTIC OR CRAWL SPACE

Prevention should keep a person from ending up in a closed space with no way out.

If, despite that, rising water threatens to trap you in an attic or crawl space:

Contact the emergency services immediately
indicate your exact location within the home

signal to make it easier to locate you
look for an exit to the outside that can be used without creating a greater risk.

The family sheltering in the attic: the Father talks on the phone by the window while the Mother shines a flashlight; the Grandmother holds the baby and the Son waits seated among boxes.

Breaking structural elements or roofing can cause:

serious cuts
falls

partial collapse
contact with electrical installations

falling materials
other hazards.

For that reason, this guide does not call for storing heavy tools for the general purpose of breaking through roofs, nor does it establish a universal procedure for doing so.

In homes located in areas of extreme, recurring flooding, vertical evacuation alternatives or emergency exits should be assessed before an emergency with the relevant authorities and professionals.

2.10

COMMUNICATION WHILE WAITING FOR HELP

If you have a phone:

Contact the corresponding emergency number (9-1-1 in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, or the local number in other countries)
clearly report where you are

indicate how many people need help
describe the immediate conditions
report any injuries or people who need special assistance
follow the instructions you receive.

The Mother talks on the phone and points to the flooded street from the doorway of the house, next to the Grandmother, the Son and the dog on a leash.

After requesting help:

Reduce unnecessary phone use
turn on power-saving mode
lower the screen brightness

conserve external batteries
keep the device available to receive emergency communications.

2.11

SIGNALING TO HELP YOUR RESCUE

When you need to make it easier to be located, you can use available items such as:

flashlights
whistles
visible clothing or fabric

light signals
the means specifically indicated by the emergency services.

If a boat, specialized vehicle, or rescue aircraft approaches, do not move toward it until you receive instructions.

2.12

WHEN RESCUERS ARRIVE

Emergency teams will determine how to carry out the rescue based on the existing conditions.

When they arrive:

Stay calm
identify yourself
immediately report any injured people or those who need assistance
follow instructions exactly

do not jump toward a boat
do not approach an aircraft
do not interfere with rescue equipment, ropes, or devices
do not bring bulky luggage unless authorized.

A rescuer in a yellow helmet waves from an orange boat to the family waiting on the balcony with the dog.

The Father, standing on the balcony, introduces the seated Grandmother to the rescuer approaching in the boat.

The rescuer takes the Son's hand to help him board the boat while the rest of the family waits on the balcony.

The whole family, in orange life jackets and with the dog, is evacuated in the boat by the rescuer in the rain.

2.13

BABIES AND CHILDREN

Minors require constant supervision.

During an evacuation:

Keep them with a responsible adult
do not let them walk, play, or remain in floodwater
do not let them go near drains, canals, rivers, or currents

carry babies safely
keep their food and essential medications available
keep their identification and family information with you.

If a child becomes separated from those responsible for them:

Notify the authorities or those in charge of the evacuation center immediately
provide name, age, description, a recent photograph if available, and where they were last seen
indicate any medical or communication needs
remain available for reunification.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Children may experience fear, confusion, or distress.

Adults should:

Speak in a calm voice
briefly explain what is happening
give simple instructions
keep them with familiar people whenever possible

avoid unnecessarily exposing them to traumatic images
let them keep a comfort item if one is available and it does not hinder the evacuation.

Simple phrases such as: “We’re going to stay together and follow the rescuers’ instructions” can provide reassurance without hiding the situation.

2.14

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OTHER SPECIFIC SUPPORT NEEDS

It must not be assumed that everyone with the same disability needs the same kind of assistance.

Ask, when possible: “How can I help you?” Respect the person’s own instructions.

1 PEOPLE WITH REDUCED MOBILITY

Use the previously established accessible routes
keep mobility devices available

do not physically lift or move a person without need or without knowing the safe way to do it
request specialized assistance when the evacuation exceeds the capabilities of those present.

The Neighbor in a wheelchair goes up the ramp into the adapted vehicle while a man guides her on the wet sidewalk.

2 PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

Identify yourself and explain:

Who you are
what is happening

where you are headed
what obstacles exist.

If the person requests physical guidance, let them say how they prefer it.

3 DEAF PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

Use as appropriate:

written messages
gestures
visual systems
phone
communication apps

an interpreter (when available)
the person’s usual communication system.

4 PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, OR WITH DIFFICULTIES UNDERSTANDING

Use:

short sentences
specific instructions
one instruction at a time

simple language
repetition when necessary.

5 DEVICES AND MEDICATIONS

Whenever they can be carried without compromising the evacuation, bring:

essential medications
medical devices
batteries

chargers
mobility aids

communication aids
relevant documentation.

Transparent bag with essential medications: bottles, boxes, blister packs and a colored weekly pill organizer.

Wall charger, coiled USB cable and portable power bank.

6 PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Some people use:

oxygen concentrators
respirators

pumps
feeding equipment

mobility devices
other equipment that depends on electricity.

If the power supply is interrupted or there is a risk of the equipment flooding, the backup plan prepared during Phase 1 must be activated immediately.

Report the emergency services if a person depends on a device with limited battery life.

2.15

PETS

If the evacuation can be carried out safely, pets must accompany those responsible for them according to the plan already established.

Use:

suitable carriers
leashes

harnesses
secure containment systems.

Stress can make even a normally calm animal behave unpredictably.

Do not let pets:

swim in floodwater
drink it

roam freely
interfere with rescue operations.

If an animal comes into contact with contaminated water, keep it from licking its coat excessively, and when possible and safe, clean it afterward with safe water.

2.16

WATER, FOOD AND CONTAMINATION

Floodwater can contain:

wastewater
microorganisms
fuels
agrochemicals
waste
metals
sharp objects
other hazardous substances.

For that reason:

Do not drink it
do not use it to prepare food
do not let children play in it

avoid contact whenever possible
follow the authorities’ instructions regarding the safety of drinking water.

If the authorities issue a warning about the public water supply, follow their instructions exactly.

2.17

HYPOTHERMIA AND EXPOSURE

A wet person can lose body heat even when the surroundings do not seem extremely cold.

While waiting for help:

Seek shelter from wind and rain
remove wet clothing when you can replace it with dry clothing and doing so does not create greater exposure
use blankets, dry clothing, or available protective items

keep babies, children, elderly people, and sick people especially protected
stay alert for changes in consciousness, intense shivering, confusion, or physical deterioration.

Under the roof of a porch while it rains on the flooded street, the Mother wraps the Son in a dry blue blanket and the Grandmother, bundled in a shawl, holds the baby in her arms.

If a person shows signs of illness or injury, report it to the emergency services.

2.18

IF YOU ARE INSIDE A VEHICLE

The best protection is not to drive a vehicle onto a flooded road.

Do not rely on:

the size of the vehicle
four-wheel drive
the height of a truck

a tractor
prior knowledge of the road
the apparent shallowness of the water.

The road surface may have been undermined by erosion or may simply no longer exist beneath the water.

IF THE VEHICLE BECOMES SURROUNDED OR TRAPPED BY WATER

The appropriate action depends on the speed of the water, its depth, the stability of the vehicle, the possibility of getting out, and the instructions of the emergency services.

There is no single safe maneuver for every situation.

If the water rises around the vehicle, leave it and head for higher ground only if you can do so safely.

If you can contact emergency services, report your location and follow their instructions.

If there is immediate danger to life, prioritize escaping that danger toward a safer location when you can do so without entering a current that poses a greater risk.

2.19

BRIDGES, LOW-WATER CROSSINGS, FORDS, AND RURAL ROADS

During rising water:

Do not cross bridges covered by water
do not cross flooded low-water crossings or fords
do not drive alongside overflowing channels

do not use roads the authorities have closed
do not remove barriers or signage to continue the trip.

A structure may have been undermined by erosion even though it still looks intact.

In rural areas, familiarity with a road does not guarantee its safety during a flood.

The Father, standing beside his pickup truck stopped on a rural dirt road in the rain, looks at a red-and-white barrier closing off the way before a bridge covered by the brown floodwater with branches.

2.20

LIVESTOCK AND PRODUCTION ANIMALS

Evacuating livestock should have been carried out during the preventive stage, before the water turns moving them into a dangerous activity.

During a flood, human life remains the priority

IF A SAFE ROUTE STILL EXISTS

Moving animals should only continue when:

no water is crossing the route
conditions are safe
there is enough time
the people in charge are not put at risk
the movement can be carried out according to the already established plan.

If conditions stop being safe, it must be suspended.

DO NOT APPLY UNIVERSAL EVACUATION ORDERS BY SPECIES

There is no order that works for every operation, so standard approaches such as “large livestock first, then small livestock” should not be treated as a general rule.

Priority will depend on:

species
number of animals
vulnerability
facilities
means of transportation

time available
roads
weather conditions
characteristics of the operation.

These priorities should have been determined in advance.

DO NOT APPLY UNIVERSAL EVACUATION ORDERS BY SPECIES

RELEASING ANIMALS

Releasing animals must not be treated as an automatic rule.

Opening pens or fences can send animals into:

roads
bodies of water
urban areas

electrified areas
neighboring properties
even more dangerous places.

The decision must be part, whenever possible, of a rural emergency plan prepared in advance with local guidance.

In an extreme situation, when animals face immediate danger and cannot be evacuated, action must be taken according to the established plan and the specific conditions, without putting human lives at risk.

WATER AND FEED

Animals must not deliberately be given floodwater to drink

When they remain isolated in a safe place, use the water and feed reserves protected in advance.

2.21

INSTITUTIONS, TEMPLES, CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS

When a flood occurs while people are inside an institution, the plan already in place must be activated immediately.

Those in charge must:

Confirm the official information
activate the communication system
clearly indicate whether evacuation is required
direct people toward the safe exits
assist those who need help

prevent entry into flooded areas
avoid crowding
carry out a head count of evacuated people
immediately report missing people
maintain communication with the authorities.

A staff member in a reflective vest and rubber boots directs a group of children, adults and older people in raincoats up a sloping street as they evacuate a community center in the rain, moving away from the standing water.

Those in charge must inform the emergency teams and provide the last known location.

2.22

WHAT MUST NOT BE DONE DURING A FLOOD

During a flood:

Do not ignore an evacuation order.
Do not wait for the water to arrive before deciding to leave.
Do not deliberately walk through floodwater.
Do not drive through flooded streets or roads.
Do not cross rivers, streams, canals, low-water crossings, or fords during rising water.
Do not go near rivers, canals, or bridges to watch or photograph the rising water.
Do not stay under bridges.
Do not touch fallen power lines.
Do not handle wet or flooded electrical installations.

Do not enter flooded basements.
Do not let children play in the water.
Do not drink floodwater.
Do not eat food that has been in contact with it.
Do not go back to look for personal belongings.
Do not risk your life to rescue vehicles, belongings, or animals.
Do not improvise rescues if specialized teams are already working.
Do not spread rumors or information from an unknown source.
Do not return to an evacuated area until you receive authorization.

The whole family in waterproof ponchos, rubber boots, emergency backpacks and with their dog on a leash walks along an elevated path in the rain, moving away from a swollen river and a bridge in the background.

2.23

TEN ESSENTIAL RULES DURING A FLOOD

Evacuate when told to do so. Do not wait for the water to arrive.
Head for a safe place. Use the established routes and follow the official instructions.
Do not enter floodwater. Neither on foot nor by driving.
Stay away from electricity. Water can hide deadly electrical hazards.
If you are trapped, find a high location and request help. Do not try to cross a current to escape.

Give special protection to those who need assistance. Children, older adults, people with disabilities, and sick people may need additional support.
Maintain communication. Report your location and save your battery.
Consider floodwater contaminated. Avoid drinking it or coming into contact with it.
Follow the rescuers’ instructions. Do not improvise maneuvers that could put other people at risk.
Life comes first. Do not risk a life to save belongings, vehicles, or animals.

The whole family in waterproof ponchos, rubber boots, emergency backpacks and with their dog on a leash arrives at the entrance of an evacuation center where a staff member welcomes them.

CONCLUSION

During a flood, acting early can make the difference between a safe evacuation and an extreme rescue situation.

Do not wait to personally confirm how serious a warning is.

Do not try to cross water whose behavior and depth you do not know.

Do not go back for belongings, and do not let protecting property delay an evacuation.

If your exit is no longer safe, find a high location, report your position, and follow the instructions of the emergency services.

Help those who need assistance without exposing yourself to a danger that could turn you into a victim as well.

The whole family, safe on a high hill with their dog, looks toward the horizon at the flooded valley and bridge under a sky that is beginning to clear.

During a flood, there is only one absolute priority: protect life.

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