Fillable checklist

Flood Preparation Checklist: Home Before the Water (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable US household flood-prep form: documents, NFIP awareness, kit, utility shutoff, valuables, and house steps. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Safety Fillable form · 9 sections · 63 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against Ready.gov, FEMA NFIP, and American Red Cross · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a US household flood-prep walk before water arrives: documents, flood-insurance awareness, kit, utility shutoff knowledge, elevating valuables, and house steps such as gutters, check valves, and sandbags where they apply. It is not a flood-insurance policy, not an elevation certificate, and not a flood-zone rating. Mark Skip on items you are not doing this pass. Mark N/A on items the house does not need.

  • 9 sections
  • 63 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Household and plan header

Record the house and the people this plan covers. Write Flood Map Service Center notes as a record only. Do not treat a zone letter as Pass or Fail. This is a household prep template, not a flood-insurance policy and not an elevation certificate.

11 fields
Household and plan header

Use this count for water and food staging. Ready.gov kit: one gallon of water per person per day for several days. Red Cross kit: the same gallon figure, with a 3-day go-kit and a 2-week stay-at-home supply.

Ready.gov pets: if officials ask you to evacuate, pets evacuate too. Write none if you have no animals, then mark pet lines N/A.

Ready.gov floods, FloodSmart, and FEMA MSC: look up the address and write what the map shows, or write not mapped. Flooding does not follow lines on a map. Do not score a zone as Pass or Fail.

Ready.gov plan and FEMA V-1005: know where you will go and how you will get there. Red Cross: flash floods can leave little warning, so name a nearby higher-ground place as well.

Ready.gov plan: know how you will contact one another if separated. FEMA V-1005: plan to text or message, because voice calls may fail.

Inspection station

Risk, alerts, and flood insurance

This station is awareness and signup, not a policy application and not a flood-zone grade. Tick Done when the household finished the line. Do not invent a Pass or Fail from a map zone, a base-flood elevation, or a coverage dollar amount.

9 items
Risk, alerts, and flood insurance

Address looked up on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Ready.gov floods, FloodSmart, and msc.fema.gov: search the address and record what you see in Header notes. FEMA MSC is the official public source for NFIP flood maps. Maps are updated and can be superseded. Do not treat a zone letter as Pass or Fail.

Address looked up on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household signed up for community flood alerts

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: sign up for your community warning system. EAS and NOAA Weather Radio also carry alerts. Learn what a watch and a warning mean before water is in the street.

Household signed up for community flood alerts: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household can tell a flood watch from a flood warning

Red Cross: a flood or flash-flood watch means flooding is possible. A warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon, and you take immediate precautions. Ready.gov floods: follow EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerts.

Household can tell a flood watch from a flood warning: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover flood

Ready.gov floods, FEMA flood insurance, FloodSmart, and FEMA P-1097 all state this. Flood damage needs a separate flood policy. This line is knowledge, not proof that you bought a policy.

Household knows a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover flood: Done, Skip, or N/A

Flood insurance options reviewed, including the typical 30-day wait

Ready.gov floods, FEMA, and FEMA P-1097: an NFIP policy typically takes 30 days to take effect, so buy well before a storm. FEMA notes exceptions when a government-backed lender requires coverage or after some map changes. Flood insurance is available in participating NFIP communities. This form does not sell a policy.

Flood insurance options reviewed, including the typical 30-day wait: Done, Skip, or N/A

Building coverage and contents coverage discussed if a policy is in play

FloodSmart and FEMA: NFIP offers building coverage and contents coverage as separate choices. FEMA P-1097: basic flood insurance can cover the structure, including air conditioner, furnace, and water heater, plus cleanup. Contents is additional. Renters usually shop contents only. Mark N/A if no policy is being reviewed.

Building coverage and contents coverage discussed if a policy is in play: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows flooding can happen outside mapped high-risk areas

Ready.gov floods: flooding does not follow lines on a map. Where it rains, it can flood. FloodSmart: almost one-third of NFIP claims come from outside high-risk flood areas. That is awareness, not a score that the house is safe or unsafe.

Household knows flooding can happen outside mapped high-risk areas: Done, Skip, or N/A

Policy number and insurer contact stored where you can reach them after a flood

FEMA P-1097: keep the policy number, the company phone number, and claim-filing instructions in a secure, convenient place. FloodSmart: report a loss promptly. Mark N/A if there is no flood policy yet.

Policy number and insurer contact stored where you can reach them after a flood: Done, Skip, or N/A

If a government-backed mortgage is in a high-risk area, lender flood-insurance rules were checked

FEMA: homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. That is a loan rule, not a Pass or Fail this form assigns. Mark N/A if there is no such loan.

If a government-backed mortgage is in a high-risk area, lender flood-insurance rules were checked: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Documents and inventory

Ready.gov floods, FEMA V-1005, FEMA P-1097, and Red Cross all want papers in a dry, grab-ready place plus digital copies. This is a household file, not an official claims packet.

8 items
Documents and inventory

Paper copies stored in a waterproof, fire-resistant box, safe, or safe-deposit box

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: keep important documents in a waterproof container. FEMA P-1097: waterproof and fireproof box, safe, or bank deposit box, and leave copies with a trusted person.

Paper copies stored in a waterproof, fire-resistant box, safe, or safe-deposit box: Done, Skip, or N/A

Password-protected digital copies stored off-site or in a secure cloud

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: create password-protected digital copies. FEMA P-1097: strong passwords on a flash or external drive kept in the waterproof box, or a secure cloud copy.

Password-protected digital copies stored off-site or in a secure cloud: Done, Skip, or N/A

ID, passport, and proof-of-address copies packed or stored

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit both list identification. Red Cross also lists passports, birth certificates, and proof of address. Write the storage place in Notes.

ID, passport, and proof-of-address copies packed or stored: Done, Skip, or N/A

Home, renters, auto, life, and flood policy copies packed or stored

Ready.gov kit: copies of insurance policies in a waterproof, portable container. FEMA P-1097 and Red Cross list the same. Include the declarations page if you have it. Mark N/A only for a policy type you do not carry.

Home, renters, auto, life, and flood policy copies packed or stored: Done, Skip, or N/A

Deed, lease, or mortgage papers copied

Red Cross kit lists deed or lease. FEMA P-1097 treats housing papers as vital records. You do not need originals in the go-bag if copies are readable.

Deed, lease, or mortgage papers copied: Done, Skip, or N/A

Medication list and key medical records copied

Red Cross kit: medication list and pertinent medical information. Ready.gov plan: customize for prescriptions and medical equipment. Ready.gov kit: organize and protect prescriptions before pharmacies close.

Medication list and key medical records copied: Done, Skip, or N/A

Photo or video inventory of rooms and valuables, with written descriptions

FloodSmart and FEMA P-1097: photograph or video major items and valuables, and write year, make, and model where it helps a claim. Store the inventory where you can reach it after a flood. This is not an appraisal and not an elevation certificate.

Photo or video inventory of rooms and valuables, with written descriptions: Done, Skip, or N/A

Document packet can be grabbed in minutes if you evacuate

FEMA V-1005: take critical supplies and documents with you when you evacuate. A box you cannot lift, or a safe-deposit box you cannot reach after hours, is not a grab packet. Keep one portable set.

Document packet can be grabbed in minutes if you evacuate: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Household kit

Ready.gov kit is several days of water and food. Red Cross splits a 3-day go-kit from a 2-week stay-at-home kit, and uses one gallon of water per person per day for both. Tick Done for what you actually staged. Do not invent a single national day-count as Pass or Fail.

13 items
Household kit

Drinking water staged at one gallon per person per day

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit both use one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Ready.gov says several days. Red Cross: 3 days if you evacuate, 2 weeks if you stay. Record the days you actually stored. Do not score one day-count as federal law.

Drinking water staged at one gallon per person per day: Done, Skip, or N/A

Non-perishable food and a manual can opener staged

Ready.gov kit: a several-day supply of non-perishable food and a manual can opener. Red Cross: easy-to-prepare items, 3-day go-kit and 2-week stay-at-home supply. Include dietary needs from Ready.gov plan.

Non-perishable food and a manual can opener staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Battery or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio if you have one

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit: battery-powered or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert if possible, plus extra batteries. Ready.gov floods: listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerts during a flood.

Battery or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio if you have one: Done, Skip, or N/A

Flashlight and extra batteries staged (not candles as the main light)

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit list a flashlight and extra batteries. Red Cross flood page: use flashlights or battery lanterns rather than candles to cut fire risk.

Flashlight and extra batteries staged (not candles as the main light): Done, Skip, or N/A

First aid kit staged

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit both list a first aid kit. Add household-specific medical items (glasses, hearing-aid batteries, syringes) from the Red Cross extras list if someone needs them.

First aid kit staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Prescriptions organized and protected for an outage or evacuation

Ready.gov kit: organize and protect prescriptions because pharmacies may close. Red Cross kit lists a 7-day medication supply. Ready.gov does not print that 7-day figure. Record what you packed. Do not treat 7 days as a Pass or Fail this form invented.

Prescriptions organized and protected for an outage or evacuation: Done, Skip, or N/A

Wrench or pliers staged to shut off utilities

Ready.gov kit: wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Ready.gov supply list also says non-sparking. How to use the tool sits on the Utilities station. This line is only that the tool is in the kit or at the valve.

Wrench or pliers staged to shut off utilities: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cell phone chargers and a backup battery staged

Ready.gov kit: cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. FEMA V-1005: extra batteries and chargers for mobile devices. Red Cross: include backup batteries for medical devices such as a CPAP if someone uses one.

Cell phone chargers and a backup battery staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cash staged for fuel, food, or a short stay if cards fail

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit both list extra cash. ATMs and card readers can fail in an outage. This form does not set a dollar Pass or Fail.

Cash staged for fuel, food, or a short stay if cards fail: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sanitation and hygiene supplies staged

Ready.gov kit: moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties, plus soap or sanitizer. Red Cross kit: sanitation and personal hygiene items. Include infant or incontinence supplies if the household needs them.

Sanitation and hygiene supplies staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Local paper maps staged

Ready.gov kit and Red Cross kit both list local maps. Phone maps can fail when towers or power are down.

Local paper maps staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pet food, water, leash or carrier, and pet-record copies staged

Ready.gov pets: several days of food and water, medicines, leash or carrier, ID, and copies of registration. Red Cross kit: collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, and bowl. Mark N/A if there are no pets.

Pet food, water, leash or carrier, and pet-record copies staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kit location is known, and expired food, water, or batteries were replaced

Ready.gov kit: keep the home kit in a designated place, and make sure everyone knows where it is. Replace expired items and rethink the kit as needs change. Red Cross: replenish missing items, especially medications, and keep the kit nearby when flooding is possible.

Kit location is known, and expired food, water, or batteries were replaced: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Evacuation and communication

Ready.gov plan asks how you get alerts, where you shelter, how you evacuate, how you reconnect, and whether the kit is current. Pets belong in the same plan. Practice is part of prep, not a leftover after-thought.

8 items
Evacuation and communication

Household communication plan written, including an out-of-area contact

Ready.gov plan: know how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. FEMA V-1005: have a communication plan, and plan to text or message if voice calls fail.

Household communication plan written, including an out-of-area contact: Done, Skip, or N/A

Primary and backup evacuation routes known

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: develop an evacuation plan, know how you will get there, and practice the route. Ready.gov floods: never drive around barricades. Red Cross: be ready to leave quickly if officials advise.

Primary and backup evacuation routes known: Done, Skip, or N/A

Shelter or stay-with plan written, including a pet-friendly place

Ready.gov floods: make a plan for the household, including pets. Ready.gov pets: many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets, so name a safe place in advance. FEMA V-1005: also be ready to shelter in place when leaving is not safest.

Shelter or stay-with plan written, including a pet-friendly place: Done, Skip, or N/A

Nearby higher-ground place named for flash flooding

Red Cross: flash floods can be sudden. Designate a place on higher ground you can reach quickly, and plan to move before flooding begins. Ready.gov floods: flash floods can come without warning.

Nearby higher-ground place named for flash flooding: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pets are in the evacuation plan and will not be left behind

Ready.gov pets: if local officials ask you to evacuate, pets evacuate too. Leaving them behind can mean lost or injured animals. Include a buddy who can move pets if you are away. Mark N/A if there are no pets.

Pets are in the evacuation plan and will not be left behind: Done, Skip, or N/A

Medications, devices, and access needs listed in the plan

Ready.gov plan: customize for medical needs, prescriptions, equipment, disabilities, and access needs. FEMA V-1005: consider everyone's specific needs, including medication. Red Cross: include backup power or batteries for medical devices.

Medications, devices, and access needs listed in the plan: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household practiced the evacuation or grab-and-go steps

Ready.gov plan: practice your plan. FEMA V-1005: practice your evacuation route. A paper plan no one has walked is not finished.

Household practiced the evacuation or grab-and-go steps: Done, Skip, or N/A

If you would drive out, the vehicle can leave without a last-minute fuel stop

Ready.gov floods: never drive through floodwater or around barricades. A dead tank is not a published gallon Pass or Fail. Mark Done if the car you would use can leave. Mark N/A if this household would not evacuate by car.

If you would drive out, the vehicle can leave without a last-minute fuel stop: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Utility shutoff knowledge

This station is knowledge and tagging, not a live shutoff drill. Ready.gov safety-skills: do not actually turn the gas off when you practice. Ready.gov floods: do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.

9 items
Utility shutoff knowledge

Electrical panel and main disconnect located and reachable

Ready.gov safety-skills: locate the electrical circuit box and teach responsible household members how to shut off electricity. Write the location in Notes. Do not remove a dead front.

Electrical panel and main disconnect located and reachable: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows to shut individual circuits before the main

Ready.gov safety-skills: always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit. That is the published order. Do not invent an amp rating as Pass or Fail.

Household knows to shut individual circuits before the main: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan is to never stand in water or touch wet gear to cut power

Ready.gov floods: do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn electricity off only if it is safe. Underground or downed lines can charge floodwater. Red Cross: do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.

Plan is to never stand in water or touch wet gear to cut power: Done, Skip, or N/A

Main house water shutoff found, tagged, and confirmed it will close

Ready.gov safety-skills: find the shutoff on the main water line that enters the house, tag it, and make sure it will close. A rusted-open valve should be replaced. This is the house valve, not the street curb stop, which needs a special tool.

Main house water shutoff found, tagged, and confirmed it will close: Done, Skip, or N/A

Gas shutoff procedure learned from the gas company for this meter

Ready.gov safety-skills: meter layouts differ, so call the gas company for the procedure that matches this house. Make sure the household knows it. Mark N/A if the house has no gas.

Gas shutoff procedure learned from the gas company for this meter: Done, Skip, or N/A

Practice did not actually turn the gas off

Ready.gov safety-skills: do not actually turn off the gas when practicing. If gas is shut off for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on. Never try to restore it yourself. Mark N/A if there is no gas.

Practice did not actually turn the gas off: Done, Skip, or N/A

Shutoff tool is at the valve or in the kit

Ready.gov kit puts a wrench or pliers in the disaster kit for utilities. Ready.gov safety-skills wants the water valve tagged so anyone can find it. Write where the tool lives.

Shutoff tool is at the valve or in the kit: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows when it would shut utilities, and when it would not

Ready.gov floods after a flood: turn electricity off if it is safe, to prevent shock. Ready.gov safety-skills: shut water if lines may be cracked, and shut gas if you smell gas or hear hissing, then leave and call from another location. This form does not order a shutoff on a dry-day drill.

Household knows when it would shut utilities, and when it would not: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan to unplug small appliances while the house is still dry, if you stay

Ready.gov floods after: do not touch wet electrical equipment. Unplugging small loads before water arrives reduces surge and shock risk if you are still in a dry house. Mark N/A if the plan is to leave before that step.

Plan to unplug small appliances while the house is still dry, if you stay: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

House protection before water

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: move valuables up, elevate critical utilities, install a back valve and a battery sump if they apply, clear drains and gutters, and use sandbags as a barrier where that is the local method. Licensed elevation work is not an elevation certificate on this form.

9 items
House protection before water

Valuables and keepsakes have a higher-floor or higher-shelf plan

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: move valued items to higher levels. Red Cross: move furniture and valuables to higher floors when flooding is expected. Write the rooms you would clear first.

Valuables and keepsakes have a higher-floor or higher-shelf plan: Done, Skip, or N/A

Lower-level furniture and electronics have a lift plan

Same sources as valuables. Do this while floors are still dry. This is not a contents appraisal. Mark N/A on a one-story slab if everything already sits above expected splash, and write that in Notes.

Lower-level furniture and electronics have a lift plan: Done, Skip, or N/A

Furnace, water heater, and panel elevation discussed if they sit in a flood-prone level

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: elevate critical utilities. That work is licensed and often needs a permit. This line is a conversation or a completed job, not an elevation certificate and not a BFE Pass or Fail. Mark N/A if equipment already sits well above any expected water.

Furnace, water heater, and panel elevation discussed if they sit in a flood-prone level: Done, Skip, or N/A

Drains, gutters, and downspouts cleared

Ready.gov floods: declutter drains and gutters. FEMA V-1005: the same. Do this from the ground or a stable ladder you are trained to use. Hire help if the roof edge is not safe.

Drains, gutters, and downspouts cleared: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sewer check valve or backwater valve considered, or already installed

Ready.gov floods: install check valves. FEMA V-1005: install a back valve. That is licensed plumbing. Mark Done if you have one and know it is maintained, or if you asked a plumber. Mark N/A if there are no below-grade drains.

Sewer check valve or backwater valve considered, or already installed: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sump pump with battery backup considered, or tested if you have one

Ready.gov floods: consider a sump pump with a battery. FEMA V-1005: a battery-operated sump pump. Test the pump and the backup on a dry day. Mark N/A if there is no sump pit.

Sump pump with battery backup considered, or tested if you have one: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sandbags or plastic sheeting staged if this house would use a temporary barrier

FEMA V-1005: use sandbags to create a flood barrier. Some communities hand out bags when a flood is expected. This form does not invent a bag count, height, or length as Pass or Fail. Mark N/A if temporary barriers are not used here.

Sandbags or plastic sheeting staged if this house would use a temporary barrier: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan to bring outdoor furniture, tanks, and chemicals inside or up

Loose outdoor items float and become debris. Keep fuels and chemicals out of floodwater. Mark N/A if there is no outdoor storage.

Plan to bring outdoor furniture, tanks, and chemicals inside or up: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows this list is not an elevation certificate

An elevation certificate is a licensed survey product used with some NFIP ratings. Completing this checklist does not create one, and a map zone in the header is not a finished-floor elevation.

Household knows this list is not an elevation certificate: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

When a watch or warning is issued

These are actions you agree to take before water reaches the house. Tick Done when the household has walked through the line, not when a warning is on the radio right now.

7 items
When a watch or warning is issued

Household will follow EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local officials first

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: pay attention to weather reports and local alerts, and follow instructions. Red Cross: listen to local radio, NOAA radio, or TV. Do not substitute social rumor for an official alert.

Household will follow EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local officials first: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household will evacuate when ordered, and will not drive around barricades

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: evacuate immediately when ordered. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to move people out of flooded areas. Take the kit and documents.

Household will evacuate when ordered, and will not drive around barricades: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household will not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater

Ready.gov floods and Red Cross: Turn Around, Don't Drown. Both say about 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and about 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away. FEMA V-1005: a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle, including an SUV. Depth is hard to judge from the driver's seat.

Household will not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household will stay off bridges over fast-moving water

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast water can wash a bridge away without warning.

Household will stay off bridges over fast-moving water: Done, Skip, or N/A

If trapped inside, go to the highest safe level, not a closed attic

Ready.gov floods and FEMA V-1005: move to higher ground or the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic, where rising water can trap you. Go onto the roof only if necessary and signal for help.

If trapped inside, go to the highest safe level, not a closed attic: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pets come indoors at the first watch or warning

Ready.gov pets: always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Mark N/A if there are no pets.

Pets come indoors at the first watch or warning: Done, Skip, or N/A

If a generator is used later, it stays outdoors and away from openings

Ready.gov floods: use a generator or other gasoline machinery only outdoors and away from windows. FEMA V-1005 after a flood: at least 20 feet from windows, doors, or garages, to avoid carbon monoxide. Mark N/A if you have no generator. The 20-foot figure is an after-flood CO rule, not a flood-zone score.

If a generator is used later, it stays outdoors and away from openings: Done, Skip, or N/A

Form details

Review and sign-off

Write what is still open, set a review date, then sign. This worksheet is not a flood-insurance policy, not an elevation certificate, and not a substitute for local emergency-management orders.

7 fields
Review and sign-off

Ready.gov kit: rethink the kit every year as needs change. Review sooner at the start of a rainy or hurricane season.

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.