Supporting flood victims: your guide to making an impact
Key highlights
- Why it matters: Floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning, and one inch of water can cause roughly $25,000 in damage.
- In a flood: Avoid floodwaters, evacuate when told, seek higher ground, and stay informed.
- After a flood: Check your home for hazards before entering, keep the power off until it’s inspected, protect your health, and document damage for insurance claims.
- Government help: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (up to 26 weeks), HUD mortgage insurance for disaster victims, and FEMA’s Increased Cost of Compliance coverage (up to $30,000).
- Volunteer with: All Hands and Hearts, Feeding America, or Samaritan’s Purse.
- Donate by: giving airline miles or credit card points, donating a vehicle to Habitat for Humanity, giving blood to the American Red Cross, or starting a GoFundMe.
- Takeaway: Even small actions help, and learning how to help is the first step.
In the aftermath of severe flooding, community members face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. It can take months to repair homes and businesses, and many have to cope with complete property loss.
If you’re wondering how to help flood victims but aren’t sure where to start, our disaster relief guide offers a few ideas to point you in the right direction. From medical services to construction work to food and water distribution, there are many ways to help flood victims recover and rebuild.
If you’ve been affected by a flood, you can find out how to get emergency financial assistance. This article lists programs that help disaster survivors and outlines the best ways to donate money and collect funds for flood recovery efforts.
Flood facts that may surprise you
- Did you know that one inch of water can cause roughly $25,000 in damage to a property, according to FEMA?
- Floods cause nearly 90 deaths a year in the US, and more than half of them happen in vehicles, according to the National Weather Service.
- Floods in the US kill more people every year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.
- Over the last 50 years, the US has seen a 20% increase in the heaviest downpours, according to American Rivers.
- The Joint Economic Committee’s Democratic staff estimates that the total cost of flooding in the United States is between $179.8 and $496.0 billion each year in 2023 dollars. .
- Floodplains in the US will grow by 40 to 45% over the next 90 years, according to American Rivers.
What is the most important thing to remember in a flood?
If you find yourself facing a flood in your home or your local area, the most important thing to prioritize is your safety. There are four key things to keep in mind:
- Avoid floodwaters: Never walk, drive, or swim through floodwaters. It may not seem like it, but just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet. A foot of water can float a small car, and moving water can carry it away, according to the National Weather Service.
- Evacuate when advised: If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately. Delaying can put you and rescuers at risk.
- Seek higher ground: If you’re caught in a flood, move to higher ground immediately, even if it means leaving your possessions behind.
- Stay informed: Keep updated on the latest weather reports, warnings, and instructions from local authorities via a reliable source like a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
The precautions to take after a flood
Once you’re out of the immediate danger of a flood, there are still some precautions to keep in mind in the aftermath.
Check your home before you go back in
- Avoid flooded areas and check for hazards: Flooding can leave behind debris, structural damage, and even dangerous chemicals. Be sure to remain vigilant and check your home for any damage before entering.
- Keep the power off: Flooding can cause electrical faults. Don’t turn on your electricity until a professional has inspected your property.
- Document the damage: Take pictures and video of all the damage the flood has caused, as you’ll need them for insurance claims.
Protect your health
- Be careful with water: Water sources can become contaminated after a flood. Use bottled water for drinking, and boil tap water before consumption.
- Check your food: Food can also become contaminated, so it’s best to discard any food that wasn’t stored in waterproof containers.
- Watch for mold: Mold can also be an issue after a flood. Ensure that any affected areas are properly ventilated.
Get help and take care of yourself
- Ask for help: Reach out to local authorities or disaster relief organizations for assistance with housing, food, and other essentials if needed. You can also apply for government disaster assistance provided for flood victims.
- Emotional well-being: Floods can be traumatic. Seek support from family, friends, or professional counselors to help cope with the emotional aftermath.
Government programs for flood relief
If you don’t have a disaster survival kit ready, the government offers resources for individuals and families, from unemployment relief to mortgage help. These three government programs help flood victims get back on their feet.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
When a natural disaster strikes, it can disrupt your entire life, including your employment. Disaster Unemployment Assistance from the US Department of Labor offers up to 26 weeks of benefits for those who are eligible.
You may qualify if you can no longer make it to work because of flooding or your place of employment is no longer safe. DUA follows a presidentially declared disaster and is for people who aren’t eligible for regular unemployment insurance (US Department of Labor, updated September 11, 2026).
Mortgage insurance for disaster victims
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides mortgage insurance to protect lenders and homeowners against the risk of default on mortgages to qualified disaster victims. You may be eligible for this program if:
- Your home is located in a disaster area designated by the President.
- Your home was destroyed or damaged, requiring reconstruction or replacement.
- You apply through an FHA-approved lender within one year of the disaster declaration.
National Flood Insurance Program
For those who need help rebuilding after a flood, FEMA offers coverage for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC). The program provides up to $30,000 to elevate, relocate, or demolish a substantially damaged building to reduce the potential for future flood damage, and it’s paid on top of your regular flood insurance claim.
To be eligible, you must be a flood insurance policyholder through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Volunteer with organizations that help flood victims
After flood waters recede, getting communities back up and running takes enormous work.
Relief organizations rely on volunteers to help with everything from clearing debris and mud to passing out food, water, and medical supplies. Below are three nonprofit organizations that help flood victims and need volunteers for recovery efforts.
All Hands and Hearts
All Hands and Hearts specializes in disaster relief and recovery and helps in short and long-term flood relief efforts. In the immediate wake of natural disasters, it deploys volunteers to the affected areas to help rebuild schools, homes, and other community infrastructure.
Its volunteer program houses and feeds individuals who are accepted into the program.
Feeding America
Feeding America has food banks nationwide, making it easy for the organization to mobilize after natural disasters. Volunteers help sort, stack, and package food that will be shipped out, among other tasks needed to keep recovery efforts running.
In fiscal year 2025, the Feeding America network provided 5.9 billion meals through more than 250 food banks, according to its 2025 annual report.
Samaritan’s Purse
Safety is always the primary concern when a natural disaster occurs. But after food, water, and health needs are met, the focus shifts to the arduous task of recovery and rebuilding.
This is where Samaritan’s Purse comes in. The nonprofit helps people by taking on construction and cleanup projects after disasters such as floods. Volunteers assist with various tasks, including roof tarping, debris cleanup, and chainsaw work, in the local area.
Four ways to donate to flood victims
If you aren’t able to volunteer in person with relief organizations, there are other ways to make a difference and send much-needed flood help. These four ideas allow you to donate to flood victims, and three of them don’t even require you to leave your couch.
1. Donate airline miles and credit card points
Do you have airline miles or credit card points collecting dust? Dozens of charities partner with airlines and credit card companies, allowing unused miles and points to save lives. Your airline miles may help first responders travel for flood relief or provide emergency transportation to injured individuals.
On the other hand, credit card points can often be converted into cash donations for charities. Check with the charity first to make sure it accepts miles or points.
2. Donate your vehicle
While gifting an old car to charity may not be an option for everyone, this type of contribution can go a long way to help if it’s the right time for you. Habitat for Humanity sells donated vehicles and puts all net proceeds toward building and repairing affordable homes.
That support can help families rebuild their homes and their lives.
3. Donate blood
Did you ever think you could help save lives in about an hour? By donating a pint of blood to the American Red Cross, you can, making it an incredibly impactful way to make a difference from anywhere.
The entire appointment takes about an hour, with the actual blood donation portion taking 8 to 10 minutes. Your donation will be vital following flood recovery efforts and as flood victims are transported to nearby hospitals.
4. Raise money through crowdfunding
Sometimes, figuring out the best things to donate to flood victims is hard. Crowdfunding is a quick way to send flood relief donations to people who need help immediately.
Start a flood relief fundraiser
Through GoFundMe, you can launch an emergency fundraiser and begin sharing it with your network of friends and family members within minutes. You can also browse flood relief fundraisers to find a cause to support.
Share the fundraiser across Instagram, TikTok, and other social media to get traction.
Find more crowdfunding resources
Our blog contains crowdfunding resources to show you how it works and help you along the way, like tips on running a successful disaster relief fund or general fundraising ideas for disaster relief. Use them to create a compelling fundraiser that helps people, specifically for flood relief efforts.
Take action and support flood recovery efforts now
Making a difference after a tragedy doesn’t have to mean large cash donations or hours of volunteer work. Learning how to help flood victims and taking action is the most important step. Sometimes, the simplest efforts can be the most impactful.
Start a GoFundMe today and begin raising money for flood victims when they need it most. We’re here to answer any questions you may have along the way. Want to do more? You can also find other causes to support on GoFundMe.
Frequently asked questions
Money is usually the most helpful gift, because relief organizations can use it to buy exactly what survivors need. Only send physical items if an organization asks for them. See the four ways to donate above, or start with a trusted nonprofit from the volunteer section.
Food, water, and medical supplies are the most common needs after a flood. Needs change quickly, though, so check with local relief groups before you collect anything. Cash donations let those groups buy what’s needed most.
Start with safety. Stay out of floodwaters and follow evacuation orders so you don’t put yourself or rescuers at risk. Once the danger passes, you can volunteer with a relief organization, donate money, blood, or points, or start a fundraiser for people who need help.
Listen first, and let them know you’re thinking of them. Simple words like “I’m so sorry this happened” and “I’m here for you” can mean a lot. Then offer something specific, like a meal or a ride, instead of a general “let me know if you need anything.”
You can start a fundraiser on GoFundMe within minutes. Add your story and goal, then share it with friends, family, and your social networks. Our disaster relief guide has tips to help you create a compelling fundraiser for flood relief.