Preps I Used During a Severe Thunderstorm Flooding

Last summer we had a severe thunderstorm roll through that dumped several inches of rain in just a few hours. The street out front flooded, the backyard turned into a pond, and the power flickered for most of the night. It was exactly the kind of situation I had been prepping for — and I'm happy to report that our preps held up well.

Here's a rundown of exactly what I used and what I wish I had more of.

Power Outage Preps That Came Through

The power went out around 9pm. Within 30 seconds I had a flashlight in my hand and LED lanterns lit up in the kitchen and living room. No fumbling in the dark, no panicking family members. That's what good prepping looks like.

We kept the refrigerator closed as much as possible to preserve food. I had a battery-powered weather radio running to track where the storm was headed and whether any tornado warnings were issued nearby.

Flood Preps — What Worked

We had sandbags on hand. I only had about a dozen, which wasn't quite enough to fully block the garage door gap, but it definitely reduced the amount of water that seeped in. I'll be doubling my sandbag supply before next season.

The sump pump in the basement was the real hero. It ran continuously for nearly 3 hours keeping the basement dry. I'm now looking at a battery backup sump pump as well — if the power goes out during a flood, you need that pump running.

Communication During the Storm

Cell towers were overloaded and calls kept dropping. This is a common problem during widespread emergencies — everyone is trying to call at once. I had a battery-powered NOAA weather radio that kept us updated without needing cell service. Texting worked better than calling during the peak of the storm.

What I Wish I Had Ready

A few things caught me off guard. I didn't have a waterproof document bag ready — important papers like insurance documents were in a file cabinet that could have been at risk if flooding had been worse. I also didn't have extra garbage bags on hand, which are incredibly useful for keeping gear dry, protecting furniture legs, and makeshift waterproofing.

Lesson learned: a proper go-bag staged near the door would have made everything faster. When you're watching water creep toward your garage in the dark, the last thing you want is to be hunting for supplies.

My Thunderstorm/Flooding Prep Checklist

Based on this experience, here's what every prepared homesteader should have ready before storm season:

• Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
• LED flashlights and lanterns (with extra batteries)
• Sandbags — at least 24, more if you have a large garage/door gap
• Battery backup sump pump
• Waterproof document bag for important papers
• Heavy duty contractor garbage bags
• 3-day emergency water supply (1 gallon per person per day)
• Portable phone/device charger (power bank)
• First aid kit

The whole experience reinforced something I already believed: prepping isn't about being paranoid. It's about not being helpless when real life hits.

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⛈️ Storm & Flood Preparedness Gear

• Emergency NOAA Weather Radio — Battery-powered with hand crank backup. One of the most essential preps for storm season, 4,000+ reviews.
• Battery Backup Sump Pump — Keeps your basement dry even when the power goes out during a flood. Amazon's Choice picks available.
• LED Emergency Lanterns — Bright, long-lasting, and hands-free. Essential for power outages. Top-rated options with 10,000+ reviews.
• Flood Barrier Sandbags — Pre-filled or fill-yourself options. Have more than you think you need.
• Waterproof Document Bag — Protect insurance papers, passports, and important documents. Fireproof options also available.
• High-Capacity Power Bank — Keep your phone alive during extended outages. #1 Best Seller options with 50,000+ reviews.

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