Floods and inundation

Water is far stronger than it looks. Knee-deep moving water knocks people over.

Do this immediately

1. Move to higher ground. Basements and semi-basements are the most dangerous.
2. Trip the electrical breaker before water enters — only while it is safe.
3. Close the gas valve.
4. Check disaster alerts and announcements. See disaster-alert-understanding.
5. Call 119 if you are in danger.

If you live in a basement or semi-basement

As water rises, pressure prevents the door from opening.

• Get out before the water reaches your ankles. Later you cannot.
• Decide your escape route in advance.
• If the door won't open you must leave by a window or vent. Where security bars are fitted, check in advance whether escape is possible.

Never do this

• Don't cross flowing water, bridges or underpasses. Cars and people are swept away.
• Stay away from rivers and valleys. Water rises in moments.
• Don't approach submerged electrical equipment or cables.
• If your car starts to flood, abandon it immediately.

If your car is flooding

1. Get out while the water is still low.
2. If the door won't open, lower or break the window. A glass-breaking tool in the car helps.
3. Move to high ground and call 119.

After the water recedes

• Have electricity and gas inspected before use.
• Throw away food and water that was submerged.
• Disinfect wounds to prevent infection, and see a doctor if you were in the water a long time.
• Photograph the damage. You need it for support applications.

Where to go

• 119 rescue and emergency
• 112 in dangerous situations
• National Disaster Safety Portal www.safekorea.go.kr (shelter search)
• Your local community service centre (damage reports and support)
• 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation

Questions people ask

I don't know where the shelter is. Find it on the National Disaster Safety Portal or the Safety Diddimdol app. Check in advance. See evacuation-shelters.

Disaster alerts are in Korean and I can't read them. Photograph them with a translation app. The Safety Diddimdol app supports several languages. See disaster-alert-understanding.

My home was flooded. Report the damage to your community centre — photographs are needed. Ask 129 about emergency support.

My car was flooded. Contact your insurer. Don't start a flooded car — it causes further damage.

Take care

If you live in a basement or semi-basement, plan your escape today. Once water starts rising, the door becomes impossible to open within minutes. On days of heavy rain, being out of the property in advance is the safest option.

Related

typhoon-emergency · evacuation-shelters · disaster-alert-understanding · heavy-snow · call-119

Source

Ministry of the Interior and Safety, National Disaster Safety Portal www.safekorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08