Sign In
Welcome! Sign In to personalize your Cat.com experience
If you already have an existing account with another Cat App, you can use the same account to sign in here
Register Now
One Account. All of Cat.
Your Caterpillar account is the single account you use to log in to select services and applications we offer. Shop for parts and machines online, manage your fleet, go mobile, and more.
Account Information
Site Settings
Security
Flood cleanup and recovery are important steps to take immediately after a flood. This guide will prepare you for a flash flood situation in your home or business.
By Caterpillar | Posted: May 12, 2022
We all know floods are potentially devastating natural disasters. They create unpredictable conditions, and the contaminants and hazards they bring with them make travel unsafe.
However, while you can't control the weather — you can control how you and the people around you prepare for floods.
We've created this guide to help prepare you for a flash flood situation whether you're at home or at work. We'll discuss what you should do in these situations as well as the important information residents and business owners in flood zones need to know. Then we'll talk through the most important flood safety tips and the different precautions you should take.
Finally, we’ll discuss how to securely evacuate your home or workplace and how to safely return to your home or business in the aftermath of a flood. Flood cleanup and recovery are important steps to take immediately after a flood, and we'll help you learn which actions you should take to repair whatever damage your building may have sustained.
In short, if you're concerned about future floods — we got you covered.
If you live anywhere near the coasts, you already know that certain regions of the United States are particularly susceptible to flooding. But you might be surprised to learn that most of the U.S. has endured flooding throughout its history. Below are the most common ways that flooding occurs in the United States:
"Flash flooding" typically refers to flooding that occurs within 3-6 hours of a heavy rainfall. Water levels in low-lying areas rise rapidly during a flash flood, which can even affect locations farther from the rainfall if the water travels far enough.
Sorry, Midwesterners, but Midwestern states are particularly susceptible to flash flooding since they often go from extremely dry to extremely wet conditions in a short span of time.
High-density urban areas face particularly unique challenges with flash flooding because when the water hits the concrete, there's little room for it to move. The water will pool wherever it can, which often isn't anywhere convenient.
Steep and hilly regions exacerbate flash flooding because of the rapid runoff of water streaming downhill. Rocky terrain also increases flash flood levels because water cannot penetrate hard earth as well as it can in softer soil.
As you might imagine, river flooding happens when river water levels rise past their banks.
The water then pours into surrounding regions that would otherwise remain dry. Like flash flooding, river flooding is often caused by heavy rainfall or snowmelt. But, it can also happen as a result of dam failures and ice jams.
Not sure what an ice jam is? Read on.
Northern states, including Alaska, are no stranger to frigid temperatures. We know our Cat® customers from these states are hearty and used to the cold. No problem.
Unfortunately, riverbeds aren't as good at toughing it out. Winter temps can cause ice to accumulate within rivers, streams and creeks. This leads to ice debris, solid ice jams and blockades of ice.
The higher the ice debris level, the more it prevents water from flowing down the river. When the water can no longer flow downstream, it begins to travel upstream, building pressure against the ice jam.
Eventually, the ice jam may break, releasing an enormous buildup of water that causes flash flooding. Similarly, snowmelt can also cause flash flooding if the temperature increases too quickly to accommodate the runoff water.
Storm surges often occur along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts when they're hit by strong storms and hurricanes. Land-falling or near-land storms cause storm surges and large waves to hit regions along the coast, leading to property damage as well as risks for those nearby.
Although the heaviest amount of rainfall occurs in the center of a storm, storms also produce rain bands on either side, which can drop heavy rainfall directly on the coastal shores.
When planning a safety protocol refresh, remember that the Atlantic storm season runs from June to November. Along the Pacific coast, storm season starts a month earlier, lasting from May to November.
This last flood type happens when a dam or levee collapses. While the most well-known example of a levee failure resulted from Hurricane Katrina, which wreaked havoc on New Orleans, hundreds more dam and levee failures have occurred throughout U.S. history.
What's especially treacherous about dam and levee failures? They can occur suddenly — and without warning.
Dams can fail in three main ways:
No matter the cause, anyone who's survived a flood (or watched the aftermath on the news) knows how devastating they can be. That's why it's more important than ever to prepare and develop a local emergency plan.
More on that next.
If you live or work in a flood zone, it’s important to educate yourself on your flood risk. It's also vital to understand the differences between flood terminology that officials use when sending alerts. This information helps your family and co-workers define clear plans for each type of threat so you can all stay on the same page.
The National Weather Service classifies flood threats by level, which helps them tell residents which precautions to take and when. The three main threat levels include:
How can you stay safe throughout these flood threats? Keep reading for important flash flood safety tips.
Preparation for flooding is crucial for those living or working in flood zones.
Make a yearly plan to take the following flood safety steps with both your family and your employer:
To clarify, you and your family/your business should complete the above steps before a flood happens. Once a flood watch or warning has been issued, it's go time.
When local authorities signal an emergency situation, it's time to take action. Your family and colleagues should be able to switch gears at a moment's notice.
Take the below steps to prepare for a potential or imminent flood:
If necessary, your local authorities, under the guidance of the National Weather Service, will issue evacuation orders. This may sound scary, but it's meant to keep everyone and their loved ones safe.
Evacuating your home or business is a time-sensitive issue, so tune in to local news channels while you prepare. Be aware of any changes in local conditions so you can act quickly in this high-alert situation.
There are several important flooding safety factors to keep in mind when evacuating your home or business, including:
No one wants to have to leave their home or business behind. But, the harsh truth is that immediate evacuation can mean the difference between life and death.
Having an evacuation plan in place can save you valuable time during an emergency. It's also critical to communicate this plan to everyone who may be at risk and practice it earlier in the year before heavy rains are expected.
When evacuating a flood by car or truck, it may temporarily seem like a good idea to drive straight through floodwaters. Nope. Not even close.
The water could cause your vehicle to lose all traction and float through the rushing waters — and you'll be forced to surrender control. Keep in mind: only 12 inches of water can cause many vehicles to float, potentially sweeping you and yours downstream.
Floodwaters also make it impossible for drivers to see the conditions of the road below the water’s surface. There could be obstructions and hazards that your vehicle can crash into, or the road could be completely eroded.
For this reason, it's important to remain calm and plan out the best route based on local guidance.
That said, should the worst happen, don't panic. If your vehicle takes on water, turn off your engine. Turn on your headlights and hazard lights so you'll be more visible to emergency personnel. If you can, roll down your windows and climb out of the car. Otherwise, wait for the car to fill with water — by this point, the pressure will have equalized and you should be able to open the door. Hold your breath and swim to the surface.
Leaving your car will be scary, but it can save your life.
Floodwaters pose severe risks to yourself, your family, your co-workers and, yes, your pets.
Here's why avoiding contact with floodwaters is crucial:
Floodwater hazards can cause infectious diseases like infected wounds, skin rashes, gastrointestinal diseases and tetanus, all of which are even harder to treat during emergencies.
That said, because floods are unpredictable, you may encounter floodwaters even after taking precautions.
It's for this reason that your flood preparedness kit should include personal protective equipment in case of floodwater contact. Flood PPE includes rubber boots, gloves and goggles — anything to prevent you from directly contacting contaminated water. Make sure you have enough for all your family members and co-workers.
If you do touch floodwater, you should:
If your skin has been punctured by a metal object, debris or animal bite, you may need a tetanus booster shot. Always seek medical attention for injuries resulting from floodwater as soon as it's safe to do so.
Of course, you'll want to return to your home or workplace as soon as possible. But, remember that it may not be in the same shape as it was when you left it. Local authorities will also have to clear your area to ensure it's safe.
Once you get the all-clear, you can return. Some tips to keep in mind:
With everything going on, it's more than likely you'll need to find alternative accommodations while you clean and fix up your home. Public shelters, hotels or motels or the homes of friends and family are all potential options. Businesses affected by flooding could rent out a temporary office space or work remotely while the workplace gets cleaned up.
After a flood, your home or work building may be in rough condition. When you receive the go-ahead to return, your first instinct may be to begin cleaning right away. But a DIY approach may be too risky, especially for extensive damage. Avoid accidentally injuring yourself by contacting a certified water damage remediation service to perform the cleanup for you. These workers have the right tools and protective equipment to get the job done without risking their lives, and they can clean more thoroughly than you may be able to by yourself.
Because floodwaters can introduce mold and other contaminants into a building, you may not be able to stay there until the cleaning process is over. Restoration can take anywhere from 72 hours to two weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and how long things take to dry.
The good news? Once remediation is finished, you can rebuild and return to your life knowing your space is free of hazardous substances.
When disaster strikes, you need to prioritize what matters most. We at Caterpillar are committed to creating innovative solutions to help communities in times of need. And that commitment extends to you — your safety during a flood or natural disaster is our utmost concern.
For more information on how Caterpillar can help you make your home and workplace safer for everyone, check out our safety services page. We offer workplace safety training courses in various accessible formats, including virtual reality and e-learning, that can help build your site's safety culture and keep things running smoothly.
Jobsite safety should always be a top priority, even beyond the machines. Find out how Cat customers have taken extra precautions to keep their employees healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn MorePrepare to stay safe on your next road trip. Follow Caterpillar's road trip safety briefing and car safety tips. Learn more.
Learn MoreA natural disaster disrupts everything from your daily schedule to the ability of your business to continue operations. Read our tips for creating plans and preparing for the worst.
Learn MoreMental health in construction often lacks the attention it deserves. Caterpillar teaches the importance of mental health safety on the job site.
Learn More