By Peace Erewunmi

The Federal Government’s warning that 915 communities across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory are at critical risk of severe flooding should not be treated as just another news headline.

It is a warning that requires immediate action.

According to the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, the affected communities face critical flood risks between August 27 and September 9, 2026. The warning covers several states, including Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

Flooding has become a recurring tragedy in Nigeria.

Almost every year, warnings are issued.

Almost every year, communities are affected.

Homes are destroyed.

Businesses are damaged.

Farmlands are washed away.

Families are displaced.

And in some cases, lives are lost.

This is why early warnings must lead to early action.

It is not enough for government agencies to announce that communities are at risk. Residents must receive the information early enough and in a way they can understand.

More importantly, state and local governments must take responsibility.

Drainage systems should be cleared.

Blocked waterways should be opened.

Emergency shelters should be identified and prepared.

Communities in flood-prone areas should know the safest evacuation routes.

And emergency agencies should be ready before—not after—the disaster happens.

Flood prevention and disaster preparedness should never become an emergency only when water has already entered people’s homes.

The most vulnerable people are often those living in low-lying communities and areas with poor drainage.

Unfortunately, many of these citizens may not have the resources to simply relocate when a warning is issued.

This is where government intervention becomes essential.

Authorities must provide practical support and safe alternatives for people who may be required to evacuate.

The Federal Government has also urged residents to avoid floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors, while protecting important documents, medicines, food and other essential items.

These are important precautions.

However, Nigerians also need to see stronger long-term solutions.

Flooding cannot continue to be treated as an unavoidable annual event.

Nigeria needs better urban planning.

We need functional drainage infrastructure.

We need proper waste disposal systems.

We need stronger enforcement against building on waterways.

And we need disaster-prevention strategies that continue even when the rainy season is over.

For residents in the communities identified as high-risk, this warning should be taken seriously.

No property is more important than a human life.

When evacuation instructions are issued by competent emergency authorities, residents should comply.

Parents must also take extra precautions to keep children away from floodwater, while motorists should avoid driving through flooded roads or moving water.

The true purpose of an early warning is to prevent a tragedy.

But a warning that is ignored can quickly become a disaster that everyone claims they did not see coming.

Nigeria has been warned.

The question now is:

Will we act before the flood, or wait until after lives and properties have already been lost?

Early warning is only useful when it is followed by early action.