No time for entertainment or anything else today — this is important. If you are in Henan province or any area at risk of flooding, please make sure you and your family read everything below at least once, and work through every preparation listed here.
Especially if you are in a flood-risk area: you must prepare in advance. Do not be careless. Do not assume it won’t happen to you.
1 — Stay away from low-lying areas and danger zones. Avoid underpasses, tunnels, subways, basements, parking garages, and underground malls. If you find yourself in danger, head immediately to higher ground — a building, a hillside, anywhere elevated.
2 — Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If you must go out, take a bus or other vehicle with many passengers. Never drive yourself, and never take the subway. If you get trapped in floodwaters while driving, you will not only struggle to escape — you will likely lose the vehicle as well.
3 — Unless your phone is fully charged, do not use it constantly. Your phone is your most valuable communication tool and your most direct way to call for help. Do not waste battery filming videos or posting to social media when flood conditions hit. And do not underestimate how poorly phones perform in extreme humidity. If possible, keep a clear plastic kitchen bag on you to protect your phone.
If you have a power bank at home, make sure it is fully charged as well. Store it in a ziplock bag or wrapped in plastic to keep it dry.
4 — Stay away from all electrical infrastructure you can see — high-voltage towers, cell towers, utility poles, and any related equipment.
5 — If you find yourself in danger, first send your precise location to family or close friends, then describe the situation briefly by voice: Is this an emergency or just a risk? Can you evacuate safely on your own? Where exactly are you and what landmarks are nearby? What is your plan to get out, and how long do you think it will take? Be clear, be concise.
6 — If you and your family live on a low floor, find a higher floor or safer location immediately. If you don’t know where to go, contact your local neighborhood committee or disaster response workers right away — follow their instructions. You can temporarily take shelter with neighbors on higher floors, or even wait in the stairwell. Do not gamble with this. You only have one life.
7 — For valuables you cannot take with you and that would slow down your evacuation: wrap them in plastic wrap, seal them in a plastic bag, then place them inside a refrigerator that has been emptied and unplugged.
Important documents and paper items can go inside clean, sealed food containers — then into the refrigerator as well.
8 — If you do have to evacuate, before you leave: close all windows and doors, cut the power, and unplug every appliance.
9 — Do this now — immediately, right this moment.
Use your phone to photograph the ID cards of every person in your household and save the photos to your camera roll. Pack the physical IDs, cash, and any essential medications into a backpack. If possible, also include: bottled water, sealed packaged food, a flashlight, a charger, a screwdriver, a lighter, and a compact inflatable item (useful for flotation).
Pack this bag now and leave it somewhere you can grab it instantly — no hesitation, no second-guessing when the moment comes.
10 — Until the flooding has completely passed, make sure at least one person in the household is awake and alert at all times. Do not all fall into deep sleep simultaneously. Keep a window slightly open so you don’t miss any flood warning sirens.
11 — If you encounter any dangerous situation, do not panic. Do not rush, push, or trample others in the chaos. Trust that our government and emergency response teams are working on this. Save the emergency contact image below to the photo albums of your phone and your family members’ phones: