Crisis-Ready Society
Scenarios / Natural disasters & extreme weather

Floods and heavy rain

Heavy rain can cause flash floods with little warning, even outside known flood zones. This page helps families plan ahead, stay safe while water is rising, and return home and clean up carefully.

Depends on where you live
In the UAEDuring unstable weather in the UAE, NCEMA has advised residents to follow official instructions, secure vehicles, stay away from watercourses and floods, and avoid rugged areas such as mountains.[4]

Before

  • Find out how likely flooding is where you live, and remember it can happen outside mapped areas.[1]
  • Sign up for official flood warnings by text, phone or email.[2]
  • Make a written household flood plan covering where to go, what to do and your pets.[1]
  • Keep spare medicine, important papers and contact numbers stored safely with your plan.[2]
  • Learn your evacuation routes and practise them with the family.[1]
  • Clear drains and gutters, and move valuables to higher shelves or floors.[1]
  • Check whether your insurance covers flood damage, as many home policies do not.[1]

During

  • When a warning is issued, move people, pets and key items upstairs or to higher ground.[3]
  • Switch off gas, power and water only if safe, and never touch switches while standing in water.[3]
  • Never walk, swim, cycle or drive through floodwater. Shallow moving water can knock you over.[1]
  • Keep off bridges above fast flowing water and never drive around road barriers.[1]
  • Leave immediately if authorities tell you to evacuate.[1]
  • If trapped in a building, go to the highest floor, but not into a closed attic.[1]
  • If water rises inside your car, climb onto the roof and call for help.[1]
  • Keep listening to official alerts for updated instructions.[1]

After

  • Go home only once authorities confirm it is safe.[1]
  • Stay out of floodwater: it may be contaminated, hide debris or be live from fallen power lines.[1]
  • Do not touch wet electrical items, or anything electrical while standing in water.[1]
  • Wear heavy gloves, boots, protective clothing and a mask when clearing mud and mould.[1]
  • Keep children out of the clean-up, and people with lung or immune problems away from mould.[1]
  • Look out for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home.[1]
  • Run generators only outdoors, well away from windows.[1]
  • If your home cannot be lived in, ask your local council about emergency housing.[3]

Watch

Short how-to videos for this topic are being added to our channel.
Watch Crisis-Ready Society on YouTube

Official sources

  1. Ready.gov (FEMA): Floods
  2. GOV.UK: Prepare for flooding
  3. GOV.UK: What to do before or during a flood
  4. Gulf Today (WAM report of NCEMA statement, 29 Feb 2024): NCEMA affirms full readiness to deal with low pressure weather system

Steps are written in our own words from these pages. If advice from your local authority differs, follow your local authority.

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