Heavy rains, especially when combined with spring's snow melt, can quickly lead to flooding. Floods have different challenges than other severe weather events.

Well in advance of flooding conditions, assess your chances of being affected by a flood. You can find out your property's relative risk of flood through the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP's) flood risk assessment tool.

Before a flood arrives, you should have an evacuation route planned; know how long it will take to evacuate your area and build in time to account for others evacuating at the same time.

Carefully examine your need for flood insurance according to the flood threat as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for your area. Homeowners insurance does not cover damage done by flooding, and it'ss a mistake to believe that buying flood insurance isn't necessary because of federal disaster aid. Typically, federal aid comes in the form of a loan that has to be paid back.

FEMA points out that $50,000 worth of damage done to a home worth $100,000 can be financially devastating. Consider paying a few hundred dollars a year for flood insurance as opposed to losing your home after a flood with no coverage.

Prior to evacuation, prepare your home. Moving furniture and other valuables to an upper floor can help protect them from water damage.

If you live near a river or creek, be alert during any heavy rain. It is not uncommon for a flash flood to sweep down a river and catch nearby residents by surprise.

When the time comes to evacuate, it is paramount that you never cross a road covered in water. People die every year during floods because they attempt to cross washed-out roads and are swept away by the current.