Seal openings in the exterior walls. 

Caulk/seal doors and slider (plus sills, thresholds and weep holes).

1-2 days before the storm/flood is expected, seal doors, windows and sliders with Peel 'n Seal or rope caulk.

Before the storm, install some sort of a barrier at the garage and entryways. 

Turn off all circuit breakers that provide power to outdoor receptacles, dock and pool equipment.

Decide when you will evacuate.

Have a 'grab 'n go' bag ready.

When possible, acquire flood insurance.

DAP Seal and Peel is very effective and is easy on (caulk gun) - easy off (peel-able).

Rope Caulk is also effective and easy on / easy off.

Duct or Gorilla tape is best for taping plastic and wall surfaces not for sealing doorways or gaps.

Other caulk materials are available.  Follow the manufacturer's use recommendations.

Flood Barriers are an effective way to minimize flood waters from entering a building. 

Barriers are commercially available or can be DIY made with some thought and effort.

The decision on using flood barriers is based on your area's flood risk, home's risk level and the ability to afford, maintain and setup/tear down, as needed. 

See more on barriers. 

Sandbags alone will offer limited protection against flood water entering a building. 

To help make sandbags more efficient, use sandbags with heavy mil plastic taped against a door.  Stagger stack sandbags on top of the plastic, going beyond the edge of the door. 

See more on barriers. 

Put in place and complete all the preparation you can that doesn't affect your general living activities as soon as possible so you can be ready for the final preparedness actions.

Make protecting your home a habit.  Do a self-inspection every month for general maintenance, repair, and flood risk assessment.

This is a decision that only you and your family can make. Watch the weather, listen for advisories and do what you feel is right. 

Designate a window or door as your exit.

• For a Window: Position a chair or ladder under the window, indoors, to allow you to climb out. On the exterior, secure a ladder or stool under the window to allow you to climb down.  Important: Make sure the exterior item will not blow or float away. 

• For a Door: Install commercial or DIY barrier on the door frame at a height that you can step or climb over.  Be sure this barrier is properly sealed.

Please note: if you are anticipate flooding it is best to evacuated.   Climbing out of a window from a flooded home is not a good flood prepper plan.  Being prepared to evacuate is.

It is very important the bottom seal on the door is clean, flexible and seals tightly on the garage door sill (usually concrete, but may be pavers). Replace the seals if old or torn. 

If the door doesn't close completely, have a qualified professional adjust the door to close completely. 

To stop the door from swinging in the wind, consider using a wedge at the rollers.  See more on barriers. 

Dielectric grease is not a caulk. It can be applied to the metal parts of an electrical connection as a 'sealant' that protects the connection exposed to the elements, like outdoor receptacles, speakers and lighting.

For existing connections a licensed electrician is recommended, although homeowners with knowledge and skill in electrical wiring can apply it to existing connections that are at risk for flooding.

General steps include: turning the breaker off, confirm all power is off, opening the receptacle box,  twist off the wire connectors & fill them with 'grease', twist the connector onto the wires, confirm twisted wires are secure, fill the end of the connector, making sure no exposed copper wire is exposed, reinstall the receptacle, seal the box.  Read Manufacturers instructions. 

A power inverter changes DC power into AC power.  Allowing you to use appliances, electronics and lights.

The length of time an inverter can operate depends on the connected devices and size and number of batteries being used. Batteries have a limited amount of energy and need to be recharged.

In an emergency, your car battery can be an inverter with the correct connections. 

Read more about Power Inverters

The best prevention is the installation of a backwater preventer valve, allowing water to flow only from the home to sewer line, but closes when water flows in the opposite direction. 

The installation of a backwater preventer valve requires excavating the ground above the home sewer line and installing the preventer. It is recommended that a qualified, licensed plumber do the install.

Additional prevention can be obtained when an inflatable plumber's test plug is installed directly into the toilet's 'throat'.

Tub and shower drains should be plugged as well.