The Tool Desk
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What to do first
Flood protection has two different goals: reducing physical damage to equipment and preserving access to the information stored on it. Moving a laptop upstairs may save the laptop, but it does not protect a backup drive left beside the original. Conversely, a cloud copy can preserve files even when every local device is lost, but it cannot keep a phone available for emergency calls during an outage.
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- Safety: Follow evacuation orders, keep people and pets away from floodwater, and never handle wet electrical equipment.
- Devices: If there is advance warning and no personal risk, move portable electronics, chargers and other valuables upstairs or at least off the ground floor.
- Data: Make a current copy of irreplaceable files on a secure external drive or a properly vetted cloud service. Keep at least one copy separate from the flood-exposed location.
- Continuity: Store extra batteries, a phone power bank or another emergency charging device with your emergency supplies.
- Recovery: After water exposure, leave equipment disconnected until a qualified professional and local authorities say it is safe to restore power.
Before flooding is imminent: make a practical protection plan
1. List the equipment and information that matter most
Use a short, prioritized list rather than trying to save everything at once. Start with devices needed for communication, health, work and access to accounts:
- Phones, tablets and their charging cables.
- Laptops, desktop computers and monitors.
- External hard drives, USB storage and network-attached storage.
- Medical, accessibility or workplace equipment that has an electronic component.
- Modems, routers and other equipment needed to communicate when service returns.
- Files that would be difficult or impossible to replace: identity documents, insurance records, financial records, family photographs, work in progress, password-manager recovery information and device-encryption recovery keys.
Write down where each important file lives and which device or account is needed to retrieve it. Include the chargers and adapters for essential devices; a protected phone without its cable may still be unusable during an outage.
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2. Back up irreplaceable files before the threat is immediate
CISA advises backing up data to a secure external hard drive or a properly vetted cloud service. Begin while power, internet access and time are available. A backup made during an evacuation warning may fail if the connection drops or the drive is left behind.
- Identify the folders and application data that contain irreplaceable information. Do not assume that a desktop folder, phone photo library or browser download folder is included automatically.
- Run the backup and wait for the software to report completion. Keep the computer connected to reliable power during a large transfer if conditions permit.
- Open a sample of backed-up files from the destination. A file that was never copied, is unreadable or is locked to an account will not help during recovery.
- Label the backup with the date and the device or account it represents. Record the account-recovery method separately, without writing passwords on the drive or its label.
- Disconnect an external drive when the backup session is over. CISA recommends keeping such storage disconnected between backups, which limits exposure to accidental deletion, malware and a flood affecting the computer and drive at the same time.
An external copy is most useful when it is stored somewhere that the same flood is unlikely to reach. A drive sitting beside the computer is not an independent recovery copy. Protect the drive from water and impact, but do not describe a normal external drive as floodproof unless its exact model and conditions have been verified.
External drive or cloud service?
Neither path is universally best. Many households use both: an offline local copy for fast restoration and a separate cloud copy for location diversity. The following trade-offs are the ones that matter during a flood.
| Question | Secure external drive | Vetted cloud service |
|---|---|---|
| Does a copy remain outside the flood location? | Only if the drive is stored elsewhere or moved to a safe level before flooding. | Usually yes, because the provider stores the copy remotely; confirm the service’s retention and account terms. |
| Can you use it during a local outage? | Files are available without internet, but you still need a functioning computer and, for a long outage, power. | Remote access depends on electricity, an internet or mobile connection and a working device. |
| Security and account recovery | Physical possession is under your control; use encryption and protect the unlock credential separately. | Use a strong unique password, multi-factor authentication and a tested account-recovery method. A lost recovery method can block access even when the files are intact. |
| Restoration testing | Connect periodically, open representative files and confirm the drive is still recognized. | Sign in periodically, download representative files and verify that the subscription, permissions and recovery contact still work. |
| Main failure mode | The drive is lost, damaged, forgotten or left connected to the same equipment that is destroyed. | The account is inaccessible, the service has connectivity limits, or files were never synchronized as expected. |
For organizational or especially sensitive data, CISA’s ransomware guidance emphasizes offline, encrypted backups and regular testing that backups are available and intact. A household can apply the same principle: keep a separate recovery copy, encrypt it when appropriate, and test restoration rather than trusting a completion message.
3. Protect paper records and create digital copies
Ready.gov recommends keeping important documents in a waterproof container. Put passports, deeds, insurance policies, medical information, account records and recovery codes in a container designed for paper storage, then keep it where you can take it quickly.
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Make password-protected digital copies of documents that would be difficult to replace. Store those files in the backup locations described above. A waterproof document pouch or container is for papers; it should not be presented as protection for a laptop, phone, external drive or submerged electronics. Ordinary bags and cases also do not make equipment waterproof unless the exact product and exposure conditions have been tested.
4. Prepare power and communications
Ready.gov advises keeping extra batteries and charging devices available for a flood emergency. Place a charged phone power bank, spare device batteries where applicable, charging cables and any required adapters with the emergency kit. Keep them high and dry before the event, and recharge the power bank after use.
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No universal power-bank capacity or flood-resistance rating is specified in the guidance. Choose capacity based on the devices your household must keep operating, and follow the manufacturer’s storage and charging instructions. Do not charge a wet, damaged or swollen battery.
5. Move portable electronics when it is safe
FEMA’s household guidance says to safeguard important paperwork and move furniture, rugs, electronics and other valuable belongings to upper floors, or at least off the floor of the ground level. During a warning, move laptops, desktops, monitors, televisions, consoles, printers, drives, chargers and small appliances first. Unplug equipment only when doing so does not put you near water or an energized hazard.
Use sturdy, dry shelving and keep air vents clear. Do not stack heavy equipment where it can fall on someone, block an exit or overload a shelf. Keep devices away from windows, roof leaks, sump-pump areas and any place where rising water could reach them from another room.
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Portable relocation is not the same as elevating building systems
Long-term elevation of electrical panels, wiring, generators, heating controls and other building components is a flood-mitigation project, not an improvised household task. FEMA explains that elevating equipment above potential flood levels can reduce direct contact with water, but the appropriate elevation depends on flood levels, building design, electrical safety and local requirements. Ask a qualified electrical or flood-mitigation professional and check local code before altering a system. Never raise, move or disconnect energized equipment yourself.
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Follow evacuation instructions
Leave when authorities direct you to leave. Do not delay an evacuation to unplug one more device, carry a desktop computer downstairs or retrieve a backup drive from a wet room. Floodwater can conceal open drains, unstable flooring, contaminants and live electrical parts; even shallow water can be dangerous.
Never enter water to reach electronics or a breaker
Ready.gov’s flood information sheet states: “Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.” That includes appliances, power strips, chargers, outlets, computers, televisions, generators and electrical panels.
If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity to prevent electric shock, following emergency instructions. “Safe” means you can reach the shutoff without standing in water, touching wet equipment or exposing yourself to another hazard. If the breaker or service equipment is wet, inaccessible or in a flooded area, wait for the utility or a qualified professional. Do not test a device by plugging it into another outlet.
Prioritize people, pets and emergency communication
- Keep phones and emergency devices charged while power is available, but do not use a charger or outlet that is wet or exposed to water.
- Use text messages or official alerts when voice networks are congested, if communications remain available.
- Take essential medicines, identification, documents and safe charging equipment during evacuation.
- Do not return to a building until authorities say it is safe, even if water appears to have receded.
After water recedes: keep damaged equipment de-energized
Do not reconnect equipment to see whether it works
Water-exposed electronics can contain energized parts, contaminated residue, corrosion and damaged insulation. FEMA warns that submerged electrical equipment may present a fire risk if it is not inspected and cleaned or replaced before power is restored. A device that looks dry on the outside can still be unsafe inside.
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- Keep affected equipment disconnected. Do not press the power button, connect a charger or insert a battery.
- Keep people away from wet outlets, cords, panels and appliances. If there is smoke, arcing, a burning smell or heat, leave the area and call emergency services from a safe location.
- Contact the utility, building manager, local emergency officials or a qualified electrician for instructions about the electrical system.
- Have water-exposed equipment assessed by a qualified service professional. Cleaning, component replacement or disposal may be required; the correct choice depends on the device, water contamination, duration of exposure and manufacturer requirements.
- Document the make, model, serial number, condition and visible damage for insurance and recovery records. Photograph equipment from a safe, dry location without handling it.
The reviewed public guidance does not provide one universal consumer cleanup procedure for every phone, computer, appliance or storage device. Salt water, sewage-contaminated water, mud and clean rainwater create different risks, and local recovery instructions may be stricter than general advice. Do not rinse, dry with heat, open a power supply or use compressed air unless a qualified professional specifically directs that procedure for the device.
Recover files from a known-good copy
Use the backup that was completed before the flood rather than repeatedly powering a damaged original. Restore first to a clean, inspected device. If the only copy is on a water-exposed computer or drive, stop handling it and ask a specialist about data recovery; repeated attempts can worsen physical damage.
For an external backup, connect it only to a trusted, dry computer and scan files before opening them. For a cloud backup, sign in through the provider’s normal app or website, verify multi-factor authentication and download a small set of files first. If account recovery depends on a phone or email account that is unavailable, use the recovery method you recorded during preparation.
Rebuild in a deliberate order
Restore the information needed to become safe and functional before convenience media:
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- Authentication and account-recovery information.
- Work or school files with immediate deadlines.
- Family photographs and other irreplaceable personal records.
- Applications, settings and less-critical media after the clean system is stable.
Change passwords if a device, unlocked backup or written credential may have been exposed. Enable multi-factor authentication again, update the restored system and keep the original backup untouched until the restored files have been checked.
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Long-term measures that reduce repeat damage
Map likely water paths
Do not judge risk only by the lowest point in a room. Water can enter through doors, garages, drains, utility penetrations, broken windows or a failed sump system. Identify which shelves, outlets, network equipment and storage areas would be reached first, and keep critical equipment above those areas where building design allows.
Separate critical copies from the building
Maintain a recovery copy in a different location or with a vetted cloud service. Update it on a schedule suited to how often files change. After every major backup, verify that files can be opened and that the account or drive can still be accessed. A backup that has never been restored is an assumption, not a recovery plan.
Include small organizations in the same plan
A small office, studio or nonprofit should identify who can authorize evacuation, who holds account-recovery details and where the offline backup is stored. Keep an inventory of computers, network devices, removable media and specialized equipment. Protect customer or employee data with encryption and limit who can access backup credentials. Test restoration before an emergency, and keep at least one backup disconnected from everyday systems.
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Review the plan after every warning or incident
- Which devices were actually essential?
- Were chargers, keys and recovery contacts available?
- Could someone outside the home or office access the backup?
- Did the backup contain the newest files?
- Was any equipment stored too low or too close to a leak?
- Did local authorities or the utility issue instructions that should be added to the plan?
Update the inventory, move storage locations and run another restoration test. Planning is most valuable when it reflects what failed in the last event, not what was assumed beforehand.
Quick Recap
Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting the only backup beside the computer: A flood can destroy both at once. Keep a separate copy.
- Leaving an external drive connected: Disconnect it outside backup sessions to reduce physical and cyber risk.
- Treating a document pouch as an electronics case: Waterproof paper storage does not establish protection for powered devices or storage media.
- Using a bag as proof of waterproofing: Unless the exact product and exposure are verified, assume water can reach the device.
- Entering water to reach a breaker: Follow the safe-shutoff rule; wait for professionals when the equipment or floor is wet.
- Powering on a wet device after it “dries”: Internal contamination and damaged insulation can remain hazardous.
- Moving equipment during an evacuation: Property does not outrank people, pets or emergency communications.
- Assuming cloud storage removes every risk: Account access, connectivity, permissions and recovery contacts still need testing.
- Assuming a backup is valid because software said “complete”: Open representative files and perform periodic recovery tests.
A one-page flood electronics checklist
Before the event
- List essential devices, chargers and irreplaceable files.
- Complete and verify an external or cloud backup.
- Disconnect and safely store the external backup drive.
- Keep paper records in a waterproof document container and create password-protected digital copies.
- Charge phones and emergency power banks; pack the correct cables.
- Move portable electronics and valuables upstairs or off the ground floor if safe.
- Follow professional and local-code advice for any permanent elevation of electrical equipment.
During the event
- Follow evacuation orders and avoid floodwater.
- Do not touch wet electrical equipment or equipment while standing in water.
- Shut off power only when you can do so safely and as directed.
- Prioritize people, pets, medicines, documents and emergency communication.
After exposure
- Do not reconnect, charge or test water-exposed equipment.
- Keep away from wet electrical systems and request qualified inspection.
- Have equipment cleaned, repaired or replaced before power is restored.
- Restore files to a clean device from a known-good backup.
- Record damage and follow insurer, utility and local recovery instructions.
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