Rental Room Typhoon and Heavy Rain: Drain Checks, Evacuation

Preparing a home where you live alone for typhoons and heavy rain starts with checking drains before it rains. If water enters a semi-basement or sewage backs up, evacuate immediately. After flooding, have an expert inspect the electrical system before using it.

The evacuation criteria are based on guidance issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on October 17, 2025.

Checks by type of home

The first place to check for water entry depends on the type of home. In a semi-basement, check for flooding through low-lying entrances and windows. In a rooftop unit, check roof drainage and signs of ceiling leaks.

This table applies official prevention guidance to different housing conditions. Being on a particular floor does not guarantee safety. Check the condition of shared routes out of the building as well.

Drain inspection steps

Check drains before it rains, while you can reach them safely. A drain is an opening through which water flows away. A roadside storm drain collects rainwater and directs it into the drainage system.

1. Locate the bathroom and balcony drains. Check storm drains around the home as well.
2. Remove hair and trash from strainers you can reach. Clear away nearby fallen leaves too.
3. Check whether water normally drains slowly or pools when you use it. If the problem persists, ask the building manager to inspect it.
4. Tell the landlord or building manager about blocked shared drainage facilities. Report problems with roadside storm drains to the local government.
5. Check whether flood barriers are ready for entrances at risk of flooding. Decide in advance who will install them.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advises checking drains around the home in advance. It recommends flood barriers and sandbags for areas expected to flood. This guidance is available in Weather Nuri’s public safety guidance for typhoons.

Once water starts entering, it is no longer time to keep cleaning. Do not enter a manhole or dismantle shared facilities yourself. Avoid going out to check roof drains during strong winds and heavy rain.

The difference between clearing drains and using flood barriers

Clearing drains and using flood barriers address water in different places and serve different purposes. Clearing a drain keeps an outlet open for water to flow away. A flood barrier blocks water from entering through an entrance or other opening.

Having a flood barrier does not make it safe to stay inside. Treat a sewage backup as a separate signal to evacuate. Follow evacuation instructions even if you have finished checking the drains.

When to start evacuating during a flood

If water enters a semi-basement or sewage backs up, evacuate immediately. There is no reason to wait and see whether the water rises further. Stop moving belongings to higher places at that point too.

If rainwater enters an underground space or semi-basement home, evacuate immediately.

This wording comes from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s “Public Safety Guidance for Flooding in Underground Spaces.” The original appears in Policy Briefing’s guidance dated October 17, 2025.

Evacuation steps

Start by leaving the dangerous area. Do not delay to shut off the electricity or pack belongings. Approaching wet electrical equipment increases the risk of electric shock.

1. Stop drainage work and putting belongings away. Alert people nearby to the danger.
2. Leave immediately by a safe route you can use. Do not enter a flooded basement stairwell.
3. Head to a shelter designated by the local government or to safe higher ground. Avoid riverbanks and flooded roads.
4. If the route is blocked, do not try to cross the water. Call 119 for rescue from a safe location.
5. After evacuating, tell someone you know where you are. Do not return for belongings or a vehicle.

It is best to know where the electricity and gas shutoffs are ahead of time. Use them only when you can do so safely before flooding. Do not touch a circuit breaker or outlet that is already underwater.

Checking shared entrances when you live alone

If you live alone, check your evacuation route beyond your room. Even if your room is on a high floor, the building entrance may be low-lying. In that case, whether your room is flooded does not tell you whether you can leave.

This checklist applies official evacuation planning principles to a home where you live alone. Its purpose is to help you prepare for using shared entrances and contacting others. Check the following before it rains.

• Whether anything blocks the route from your room to outside the building
• How to open the shared entrance lock under normal conditions
• Where flood barriers are stored and who will install them
• Contact information for the landlord or building manager
• Local shelters and safe routes to them
• Contact information for someone you can tell where you are after evacuating

Keep emergency supplies together so you can grab them as you leave. Charge your phone and portable charger in advance. Keep a flashlight for power outages somewhere easy to find.

Electrical checks and damage records after flooding

After a flood, confirm that it is safe to enter before documenting the damage. The rain stopping or the water draining from the floor is not enough. An expert must inspect the electrical system before it is used in a flooded home.

1. Check whether you can enter the building safely. Follow any access restrictions.
2. Request an inspection of flooded electrical equipment. Do not plug anything into a wet outlet.
3. Have flooded appliances inspected by the manufacturer’s service center or an expert. Do not turn them on to test them, even if they look dry.
4. Take photos of the damage from a safe location. Document the condition before repairs begin.
5. Tell the landlord or building manager about the damage. Ask the relevant Administrative Welfare Center how to report it.

It is best for photos to show both the whole room and the damaged areas. Record water marks and wet walls too. You can also note when you discovered the damage and what you told the building manager.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advises taking photos before repairs. It specifies that electricity in a flooded home should be used only after an expert inspection. More details are available in Weather Nuri’s public safety guidance for heavy rain.

Common mistakes

One mistake to avoid is delaying evacuation to continue preparing. Preventive measures should be finished before flooding. Document damage only after you are safe.

Where to check disaster information and local evacuation guidance

Weather conditions and local evacuation guidance provide different information. Check forecasts and weather alerts from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Also check local government guidance for where to go and which areas are restricted.

It is best to check shelter locations ahead of time. For the specific disaster, confirm where to go using local government guidance. If the route is flooded, do not try to reach a shelter even if it is nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Should I leave if only a little water enters a semi-basement?

Evacuate immediately. The same rule applies if water backs up through a sewer drain. Bailing out water while watching what happens delays evacuation.

Does a rooftop unit need flood preparation?

A rooftop unit also needs drainage and leak checks. Put away outdoor items that could blow away in strong winds. Do not go onto the roof to inspect it during heavy rain.

Can I use zipper bags instead of a flood barrier?

No basis was found for recommending zipper bags as a substitute for a flood barrier. Official guidance recommends flood barriers and sandbags. Do not delay evacuation because your preparations are incomplete.

Should I switch off the circuit breaker first if water enters?

Do not approach wet electrical equipment to switch off the power. Shut off electricity only when you can do so safely before flooding. If water has already entered, the priority is to evacuate without delay.

Can flooded appliances be used after drying for a few days?

The number of days they have dried is not enough to determine whether they can be used again. Have flooded appliances inspected by an expert before plugging them in. Their condition must be assessed to decide whether they need repair or replacement.

Should I take photos of the damage before evacuating?

Evacuate first. Take photos only once you are safe. Document the condition before repairs, but do not re-enter a dangerous area.