To reduce the likelihood of damage from spring flooding:

• On your property, be sure to remove all equipments or children toys that are not solidly anchored to the ground;
• Outside the building, board up basement doors and windows with wood panels and sandbags: sandbags and polyethylene barriers can be excellent ways of preventing water from getting into the house (see How to build a dike with sandbags);
• Remove any water crafts or structure from any bodies of water;
• Make sure that downspouts run the water far enough to divert it away from the house;
• Shut your propane and fuel containers;
• You may install a sump pump in your basement and floor drains with a check valve, and make sure that they are in working order;
• Never store valuables or important documents in the basement;
• Take special precautions to protect electrical, natural gas or propane heaters; and
• Ensure that all fuel containers are standing up.

Prepare your emergency kit.