Keep things a few inches off the floor in your basement. If you are storing things on shelves, try not to use the bottom shelf, or try placing items on a solid foundation a few inches or feet off the ground. For example, arrange cinder blocks or bricks beneath important items to help raise them off the ground. If you must keep important documents or items in the basement, store them in watertight plastic containers to reduce their chances of being damaged if the basement floods.

If you can find out what a likely flood level might be in your home, you should elevate your possessions based on that level. Talk to your municipal government to see if this information is available.