Know Your Home's Flash Flood Risk
Before the Next Storm Hits
Answer ten questions about your property. Get a plain-language risk profile and a ranked checklist of things you can do, starting today, to keep water out.
Start Your Free ScanNo address required. No sign-up. Everything runs in your browser.
Property Questionnaire
Pick a preset that matches your home, or answer each question by hand. Your results update as you go.
Your Prioritized Action Plan
Actions are ranked by impact and cost. Start at the top. Even the free items make a real difference.
Complete the questionnaire above to generate your personalized action plan.
Why Gutters Alone Won't Save You
Clean gutters help, but they only handle roof runoff. Most flash flood damage comes from water moving across the ground toward your foundation. If the soil slopes toward your house or the street drain backs up, gutters won't stop it. Grading the soil away from your foundation (a free weekend project) often matters more than any gutter upgrade.
The Sandbag Mistake
Sandbags work only when placed correctly, and most people stack them flat against a door. That just holds water in. Sandbags work best in a staggered pyramid shape with a plastic sheet behind them. Even then, they are a last resort. Redirecting water flow before it reaches your door is far more effective than trying to block it after the fact.
Homes Near Retention Ponds
Retention ponds are designed to hold stormwater, but they can overflow during extreme rain. If a pond sits uphill from your property, water that overtops the bank will flow straight toward you. Check whether your local municipality maintains the pond and whether it has an emergency overflow path that avoids homes.
New Development Changes Everything
Pavement and rooftops don't absorb rain. When a new subdivision goes in uphill from you, the runoff that used to soak into the ground now flows across hard surfaces and into the nearest low spot. If that low spot is your yard, your flood risk has gone up even though nothing changed on your property.
Common Questions
- No. This scan uses features you can see and answer from memory. You don't need to look up any maps or zone designations.
- Yes. About half the action list is about things any renter can do: keeping drains clear, moving valuables off the floor, knowing your evacuation route, and having a go-bag ready. Each action is marked as renter-friendly or owner-only.
- It means your property has several common risk factors for flash flooding. It does not mean your home will definitely flood. Use the action plan to reduce your risk, and consider talking to your insurance agent about flood coverage.
- Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner's insurance. If you can afford the premium, flood insurance is worth having even in low-risk zones. About one-quarter of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk flood zones.
- Sump pumps need electricity, and storms often cause power outages. A battery backup sump pump keeps working when the power goes out. For most homes with a basement, it is one of the best investments you can make. Look for a system with a sealed lead-acid or lithium battery that can run for at least 8 hours.
What This Scan Assumes
- Your answers are based on your best knowledge of your property.
- The risk tier is a screening tool, not a professional flood determination.
- Local rainfall intensity, storm drain capacity, and watershed details are not included.
- If you need a formal flood zone determination for insurance or a mortgage, contact your lender or FEMA directly.
- This tool does not store or transmit your answers. Everything stays in your browser.
Version 1.0 · Updated 2026