Flood Reporting Tips

Report flooding and damage to private property or public lands in the City of Madison. Even if a homeowner reported flooding to 2-1-1, FEMA, or a City official, the City needs standardized information to improve the stormwater system to reduce flooding damage in the future.

The key to good reporting is including specific details and visuals.

If it is possible to do so safely, collect the following information when it is flooding:

• Date of the flooding
• Total time flooding occurred
• The time the flood water reached its highest point
• Photos of flooded areas when they are the most flooded
• Videos showing how the water is moving into and out of the flooded area

Once the flood waters have receded, and it is safe to do so, look for clues of the flood waters extent and depth. Clues include:

• Debris lines outside (twigs, leaves, dirt that are left behind in a line on the lawn, sidewalk, mailbox post, shrub, etc.)
• Border of disturbed vegetation—if half the vegetation has been bent or is stuck to the ground in the direction of the flow, that indicates the extents of the flood water

Document these clues and measure any depths where debris lines are above the ground. Pictures with descriptions are very helpful. For example:

If you were unable to capture any photos, descriptions are also helpful:

• “Flood water reached the base of the first step on the front walk of our house at X address.”
• “Flood water was 12” deep at the mailbox in front of X address.”