Hours of heavy rain can turn streets into rivers in a short time. Floods hit many parts of Indonesia, including cities that sit between mountains and the coast such as Padang, when rainwater and overflowing rivers meet drains that cannot cope. Floods cannot always be prevented, but their impact can be reduced if a family is ready early. This guide sums up flood preparedness steps commonly recommended by disaster agencies.

Before a Flood: Preparation That Counts

Know the risks around you

Find out whether your home sits on low ground, near a river, or in the path of water flow. Ask your neighborhood officials about the flood history of your area and the nearest evacuation shelter. Follow weather forecasts and early warnings from BMKG and information from your local disaster agency.

Pack an emergency bag

Preparedness guidance suggests a family be ready to cope on its own for at least three days. A practical, easy-to-carry bag usually holds:

  1. important documents in a waterproof pouch (ID cards, family card, diplomas, policies, and bank books, or copies of them),
  2. a change of clothes for three days,
  3. drinking water and long-lasting food,
  4. personal medicines, basic medicines, and first aid supplies,
  5. a flashlight, spare batteries, and a whistle,
  6. a portable charger,
  7. a raincoat, a blanket, and a little cash,
  8. special items for babies, elderly people, or family members with particular needs.

Keep the bag somewhere high and easy to reach, not in a storeroom at ground level.

Secure documents and valuables

Scan or photograph important documents and keep digital copies in online storage and on another family member's phone. Move electronics and valuables higher when heavy rain goes on for a long time.

Make a family plan

Decide on an evacuation route and a meeting point in case you are separated. Keep key numbers: the national emergency number 112, your local disaster agency contact, and the numbers of neighbors or relatives. Teach children what to do if water rises.

Clean up your surroundings

Make sure drains in front of your house are not clogged with trash. Trim weak tree branches. Clean ditches often decide how quickly water recedes.

During a Flood: Safety First

  • Switch off power at the main meter if water starts entering the house, to avoid electric shock. Do not touch electrical devices when wet.
  • Evacuate promptly if water keeps rising or there is an official warning. Belongings can be replaced; lives cannot.
  • Do not wade or drive through strong currents. Water that looks shallow can sweep away people and vehicles. Floodwater also hides holes and sharp objects.
  • Stay away from dangling cables and submerged poles.
  • Move children, elderly people, and people with disabilities first.
  • Listen to official information from BMKG, your local disaster agency, or local authorities, not chain messages of unclear origin.
  • Call the emergency number if you are trapped or someone is hurt.

After a Flood: Recovering Safely

A flood that has receded is not yet safe.

  1. Return only once it is declared safe. Check the building condition, cracks in walls, and slippery floors.
  2. Watch for dangerous animals. Snakes, scorpions, or rats may hide in a house that was just flooded.
  3. Have power and gas checked by officers or a competent person before switching them back on.
  4. Throw away food that was submerged and do not drink well or tap water until it is confirmed safe. Boil water or use bottled water.
  5. Clean with protection. Wear boots, gloves, and a mask. Wash and dry furniture, then disinfect the area.
  6. Protect your health. After a flood, illnesses such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin diseases, and leptospirosis (linked to water contaminated by rat urine) appear more easily. Go to a health facility promptly for fever, yellow eyes, severe muscle pain, or diarrhea that does not improve.
  7. Document the damage with photos for reports to local officials and for insurance claims if you have coverage.

Review and Prepare for Next Time

Once things settle, review with your family what went well and what fell short. Refresh the contents of the emergency bag, replace expired medicines, and check the drains. Join community clean-up days or disaster drills in your neighborhood when they are held.

Closing

Floods are hard to predict, but preparedness can be practiced. Start with three small steps this week: pack an emergency bag, keep copies of important documents, and write the emergency numbers where they are easy to see. This simple preparation can be the difference between panic and the right action when water begins to rise.