Since flood can appear very promptly it would be reasonable to get prepared in advance. An ideal scenario would be developing complex disaster plan for you and your family members including following:

• Make sure everyone in your family knows and understands an appropriate behavior during a flood disaster. Pay special attention to children's reaction for there are things which will make common sense to adults but won’t be that clear to most kids.
• Research possible flood scenario in your area, getting your family ready for any thinkable chain of events. For instance, every adult in the house must know how to shut the utilities (water, gas, electricity) before the evacuation if time allows. In order to minimize damage it would be reasonable to have inventory list prepared in advance, including all essential items that need to be move to an upper floor before the disaster strikes. Pay special attention to the elevation of your home above flood stage. Besides on-line sources this information might be available in your local emergency agency or a Red Cross chapter.
• Make sure you have at least few evacuation locations to choose from. Have an instate and out of state contact person in case your family members have been separated by disaster. Get your evacuation kit prepared an advance, including not only survival supplies but medical kit and all important documents as well. Another words it is important for everyone in your family to understand that all general emergency and evacuation preparations apply for flooding as well.
• It is extremely important for everyone in the house to know basic precaution terms of working with electricity. First of all, do not touch any electrical network with wet hands and carefully review the situation acting with all possible prudence if any water involved.
• National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) insurance won’t be groundless in case if you live in high risk flooding area. Keep in mind that government compensation could be coming in a form of subsidy of credit which needs to be paid back. Carefully go over terms of your general insurance for it most likely won’t cover flood damage. Remember, it will be easier to file an insurance claim if you have a complete inventory of your property prepared in advance.