More people die from floods every year than tornadoes, lighting or hurricanes.On average, flooding kills 89 people each year. Being informed and prepared before a flood happens can make the difference between life and death.1. Stay informed; understand the terminology.Download the WXII app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or tune in to Channel 12 when there is impending severe weather.A flood watch means that the conditions are right for flooding to occur in your area. Remain alert by turning on your TV, radio, or WXII 12 app. You will receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.Have a plan on where to go if you need to reach higher ground quickly and on foot.You can prepare your home for the possibility of flooding with the following advice:Bring in outdoor furniture and move important indoor items to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.Disconnect electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve. This helps prevent fires and explosions.A flood warning means flooding is either happening or will happen shortly.In the event of a flood, here are some tips to follow:Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.Evacuate if directed.Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and 1 foot of water can sweep your vehicle away.2. Prepare your family well in advance of severe weather.Put together a disaster supplies kit made up of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency. You may need to survive on your own after a storm strikes or flooding happens. This means having your own water, food and other essentials in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. FEMA supply checklistBasic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.3. Have an emergency communication plan in place before the threat of severe weather.Have an emergency communication plan in place that all members of your family understand. Many families experience unneeded stress when a disaster strikes because they do not have a plan in place to be warned, stay safe and find one another after the storm has passed.4. Know about flooding, and know what to watch for.Know your flood riskMake a flood emergency planBuild or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.Consider buying flood insuranceFamiliarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.5. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!Flash floods are the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.To avoid getting caught in a flood, don't walk or drive through flood waters. Six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of water can sweep your vehicle away.If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, you should abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.It's also important to avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning. 6. After a floodAfter a flood, return home only when authorities say it is safe.You should also be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and watch out for debris. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways.As a reminder, do not attempt to drive through areas that are still flooded, avoid standing water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.Also, you should photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.Click here to watch the latest news and weather from WXII 12 News. Listen while you drive -- watch wherever you are, whenever you want. (Live during the news hours, most recent newscast in between times.) Click to download the app.