Learn How to Protect Your Jobsites from Flooding
As spring rapidly approaches, so does the risk for unexpected severe weather, storms, and flooding across much of the US. Flooding is a particular risk for many communities across the country, as heavy rains can swell rivers and streams or cause dangerous flash flooding that can cause damages to homes, businesses and jobsites.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its 2024 Spring Hydrologic Outlook. In 2024, NOAA is forecasting a below- to near-normal chance of river or tributary flooding. Despite this, NOAA continues to urge caution that even though the overall risk of spring flooding is below average, this does not guarantee that high impact flooding will not occur and is entirely dependent on precipitation levels through the spring months.
In response to the risks posed by flooding, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its Flood Safety Campaign with new tools, resources and information to assist communities and businesses in preparing and responding to these events.
These resources from the CDC include important safety guides for those working in the home building and construction industry, such as:
- A checklist and critical procedures to prepare for a flood
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing for Flood Cleanup Workers
- The CDC’s Floodwater After a Disaster or Emergency page that provides best practices on working in an around floodwaters
To further prepare home builders and those working after flooding, NAHB released the Jobsite Disaster Safety Toolbox Talk, available in both English and Spanish and also embedded below, offering the following recommendations:
- Avoid active flooding or wadding into standing flood waters, as these waters can be contaminated with biological or chemical agents that can cause irritation, injury or death.
- Maintain good hygiene during cleanup operations. To avoid waterborne disease, it is important to wash your hands with soap and clean, running water, especially before work breaks, meal breaks and at the end of the work shift.
- Mosquitoes and other insects can multiply following flooding events, and cause bites and spread illness. Decrease this risk of mosquito and other insect bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and by using insect repellents.
- Conduct a preliminary worksite inspection to verify stability before entering a flooded or formerly flooded building or before operating vehicles over roadways or surfaces.
- Do not work in or around any flood-damaged building until it has been examined and certified as safe for work by a registered professional engineer or architect.
- Do not electrify any outlets, services, wires or equipment that have been submerged until checked by a qualified electrician.
- Washouts and trenches must be supported, or their stability verified, prior to entry or work beginning.
For more information, visit the Disaster Resources Toolkit at nahb.org/disaster.

Latest from NAHBNow
May 02, 2025
How to Diversify Your Remodeling Business for GrowthTo celebrate National Home Remodeling Month, NAHB will host two Shop Talks, sponsored by Westlake Royal Building Products, to help remodelers diversify their business and build greener.
May 02, 2025
Home Builders: How to Scale Your Projects to Sustain Profitable GrowthToo many builders still feel like they’re grinding. They build a few homes at a time, reinvest their profits, and hope the next project pays off a little more than the last. It doesn’t have to be that way. The builders who scale create lasting wealth. And the key to faster scaling is smarter financing.
Latest Economic News
May 01, 2025
Housing’s Share of the Economy Grows Higher to Start the YearHousing’s share of the economy grew to 16.4% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the advance estimate of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is the highest reading since the third quarter of 2022 and is up 0.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Apr 30, 2025
U.S. Economy Contracted in First Quarter of 2025The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025 for the first time in three years, driven by a sharp surge in pre-tariff imports, softening consumer spending, and a decline in government spending.
Apr 30, 2025
House Sharing is Not Just for Young AdultsA record-high 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates, roommates or boarders in 2023. While college-age and young adults make up the largest subset of house sharers (close to 41%), this type of living arrangement is gaining popularity among older householders fastest, with the 55+ segment accounting for 30% of all house-sharing households in 2023.