Flooding can hit fast and hard, especially during heavy storms. But you might be surprised how much your landscaping can do to slow it down.
Smart choices in your yard can redirect water, prevent erosion, and even reduce the impact of flash floods. Whether you live on a steep slope and are worried about soil erosion, or live on a flat lot with poor soil drainage, the way your yard is built and planted matters more than you might think.
Flood Prevention Starts With Thoughtful Planning
Every homeowner should be considering water runoff, regardless of local flood risk. The shape of your yard, the materials you use, and the plants you choose all affect how water moves. Even your driveway and sidewalks play a role with water management. “Traditional concrete and asphalt driveways contribute to runoff, increasing the risk of flooding,” notes Courtney Klosterman, Home Insights Expert at Hippo home insurance.
The overall idea is that with the right landscape design, you can guide water away from your home instead of letting it pool where it shouldn’t.
To help further, Klosterman noted several flood prevention features that homeowners should consider:
- Rain gardens that catch water and let it soak slowly into the soil
- French drains that carry water away using a perforated pipe hidden under gravel
- Retaining walls that hold back soil and slow down water flow
- Native plants with deep root systems that help absorb water and hold soil in place
- Permeable pavers that let rain pass through instead of running off.
Can't fund a big investment right now? Even basic changes like grading and sloping the ground away from your house can make a big difference in directing surface water to better drainage spots. A general recommendation is to slope the soil gradually six to eight inches over ten feet, away from your house. Depending on the orientation of your landscape and property, further adapt drainage solutions to suit your needs.
Can Your Landscaping Prevent Erosion?
Water that moves too fast through your yard doesn’t just risk flooding... it can carry away the soil with it. That’s where erosion control measures come in. Bare soil, especially on hillsides, is really vulnerable. Once it starts washing away, it only gets worse.
Deep-rooted vegetation helps keep soil in place, and that's where you should focus your efforts first. Native plants like grasses, shrubs, and trees all use their root structures to grip the ground; they’ve evolved to survive your local weather and can stabilize the soil better than turf grass or imported plants.
From there, consider other options proven to help manage soil erosion:
- Use ground cover plants. Clover, pachysandra, and other solutions can spread fast and grow thick while helping with water absorption.
- Add erosion control blankets (a.k.a. wattles) to help manage steep or bare areas.
- Layer mulch or wood chips to reduce the impact of heavy rain on soil. We have a wooded hillside that doesn't grow grass, but every year we add our fall leaves to it. They break down, turn into rich soil, and help absorb stormwater runoff.
- Add retaining walls or boulders. These structures can slow down water flow and hold soil in place longer.
Can Landscaping Prevent Home Flooding?
It sure can. Water damage to your home’s structure or basement can be costly. Keeping that water out starts with managing how it flows outside. That means paying attention to both what’s above ground and what’s below.
Drainage systems like French drains or dry wells move water underground, away from your foundation. Surface options like swales or water diversion channels can steer water across the top of your yard instead of letting it collect.
The soil itself matters, too. Clay-heavy soil holds water, while sandy soil lets it pass through. Changing the soil structure with compost or other amendments can help improve water infiltration and absorption.
You might also look into:
- Downspout extensions or diverters to move roof runoff farther from your home. I installed bubblers to help manage rainwater and act as instant irrigation for our rain gardens.
- Drip irrigation to avoid overwatering
- Drainage grates to catch and direct surface water
If flooding is a concern, your homeowners insurance is very important. "If you have any concern about flooding, review your flood insurance coverage," notes Klosterman. "Since standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage, consider adding a separate flood insurance policy for an additional layer of protection. It’s important for homeowners to check FEMA flood maps annually, as flood risk for your property can change over time."
FAQ
Is it better to use native plants in flood-prone areas?
Always, 100%. Native plants are more likely to thrive in your region’s climate, which means stronger root systems that can absorb more water. They also help improve soil health over time, reducing erosion and runoff. Get savvy about what works best in your area, and focus on investing in those plants first.
What’s the difference between a French drain and a dry well?
A French drain uses a perforated pipe to carry water underground to a safe exit point, while a dry well is a buried container that holds and slowly releases water into the surrounding soil. Both help reduce surface water around your home.
