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Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.
However, all floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee is breached, but still can be destructive. Flooding can also occur when a dam breaks, producing effects similar to flash floods.
Flood preparedness from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
How can I protect myself from a flood?
Flood information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Reentering Your Flooded Home
- Cleanup of Flood Water
- After a Flood
- Additional CDC Flood Information
- Get Rid of Mold (PDF)
- Mold after a Disaster
- Protect Yourself from Mold
- General information about Mold