Protecting yourself from the hazard

Flood Warning System

In the event of a major storm, the city receives notification from the Volusia County Emergency Management Center and certain city departments are put on alert. Local news media sources such as radio and television are notified and distribute instructions to the public. The City of Daytona Beach works with the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor flood, storm threats and advise the community accordingly. The following sources service the Volusia County/City of Daytona Beach area:

Radio Television

Evacuation Info

If local authorities call for an evacuation, leave immediately and follow all instructions and follow a safe evacuation route to a shelter. Plan ahead and have a personal evacuation plan to provide for your pets, your personal hurricane supplies and important personal papers and documents. When leaving your home during an evacuation, turn off electricity and gas. If you live on a boat, do not stay on your boat during a storm or hurricane, seek shelter.

View local evacuation routes

View Shelter Locations

If local authorities have not called for an evacuation, stay home and make emergency preparations. During a flood, the following safety measures should be taken to prevent personal injury and property damage

  • Do not walk through a flooded area. Drowning is the number one cause of death as a result of floods, especially flash floods. Currents can be deceptive and as little as six-inches of water can knock a person of their feet. If you must walk through the standing or flowing water, use a pole or stick to see how deep the water is and make sure that you do not enter unexpectedly deep areas.
  • Do not drive through a flooded area. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. Washouts are not necessarily visible through water surfaces.
  • Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the local power company or emergency staff, and stay well clear.
  • Have the power company turn off your power. Some appliances keep an electrical charge even after they have been unplugged. Do not use the appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned and dried.
  • Visually inspect the area outside your home near the meter. If the meter or any of the piping and wires on the wall of your home or office is gone or look damaged, call a licensed electrician for advice.
  • Look out for small animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may use your home to seek shelter. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare them away.
  • Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors can be covered with debris, such as nails and broken glass. Floors and stairs covered with mud can be very slippery.

Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Never smoke or use open flames unless you know the gas has been properly turned off and the entire area has been ventilated.

Carbon monoxide exhaust kills. Only use a generator or other gasoline-powered equipment outdoors. The same goes for cooking stoves. Charcoal fumes are especially deadly – use charcoal only outdoors.

Safety Tips

Before a Flood

  • Avoid building in a floodplain.
  • Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering your home.
  • Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
  • If a flood is likely in your area, listen to the radio or television for information.
  • Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. A watch means flooding is possible. A warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon.

When a Flood is Imminent

  • Be prepared! Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don't forget to include needed medications.
  • If advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
  • If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
  • If possible, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor.
  • Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.

During a Flood

  • Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of moving water can make you fall.
  • If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
  • Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
  • Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

After a Flood