Florida streets flood fast. A summer thunderstorm can drop three inches of rain in an hour, king tides routinely push saltwater up storm drains in Miami Beach, and hurricane bands can flood neighborhoods miles from the coast. If you've just watched water rise across your street, here's exactly what to do — in the order you should do it.
1. Do not drive through it
It takes only six inches of moving water to knock an adult off their feet, and just twelve inches to float a small car. Most flood deaths in Florida are drivers who thought "it didn't look that deep." Turn around. Don't drown. If you're already stopped in rising water, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground on foot.
2. Report the flooding on Floodi
Open the Floodi live map and tap "Report flooding." It takes 30 seconds — drop a pin, pick a severity, and snap a photo if it's safe. Your report instantly appears for every neighbor and every commuter heading toward that street. The faster people see it, the fewer cars stall in the same spot.
3. Know when to call 911
Call 911 if anyone is trapped in a vehicle or building, if you see downed power lines in water (do not approach), or if floodwater is rising inside an occupied home. For non-emergencies — a flooded street with no one in danger — use your county's non-emergency line or 311.
4. Protect your home
Move valuables, electronics, and important documents to the highest floor or upper shelves. Shut off electricity at the breaker if water is approaching outlets — but only if the breaker panel itself is dry. Place sandbags or flood barriers at low doors. Most Florida counties hand out free sandbags during tropical storm warnings.
5. File an insurance claim
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage in Florida. If you have an NFIP or private flood policy, photograph everything before you start cleanup, keep receipts for every dollar you spend, and file the claim within 60 days. Read our Florida flood insurance guide for the full process.
After the water recedes
Don't drink tap water until your utility issues an all-clear — broken mains contaminate supply for days. Throw out any food that touched floodwater. And update your Floodi report so neighbors know the street is passable again.
Stay safe — and check the live map before every drive during storm season.