Understand your area's flood risks: know the local terrain, water sources and weather patterns and ask authorities about local flood plains and risks. If you live in an area prone to frequent or severe flooding, consider relocating, building elevated storage buildings or using floating shelters. Identify safe evacuation routes in your community and practise evacuation drills. Store any valuables and dangerous materials above likely water levels.

Build and maintain your home with floods in mind. Try to avoid building within 200 metres of a high-tide coastline or on riverbanks, gullies and flood plains. But if you must, seek expert building advice to build an appropriate foundation and elevate your home. Use flood damage-resistant materials and flood-proof the construction. Maintain water channels outside the home and construct barriers (such as levees, berms or floodwalls) to prevent flood water from entering buildings. Keep supplies such as plastic sheeting, sandbags, sand and shovels to protect your home. 

Stay informed: monitor weather information and listen for instructions from local authorities. If advised to evacuate or if you think you are in danger, evacuate immediately as practised. During a flood: "turn around, don't drown"—never try to walk, swim or drive through swift water. Move to higher ground and do not return home until declared safe to do so. After a flood, clean up carefully and pump out water from your home slowly to avoid walls collapsing. Do not drink from, play or swim in flood water and watch out for debris and other hazards such as electrical items or poisonous animals.