Flood Emergency Checklist
A flood is different from a pipe leak in one important way: rising water is usually excluded from a standard homeowners policy and requires separate flood coverage. What you do before you re-enter matters just as much as what you do after.
Do this first
- 1Wait until local officials say it's safe to return. Never walk or drive through moving floodwater.
- 2Check for gas leaks by smell before entering. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company — do not use a light switch.
- 3Have an electrician check the panel and wiring before turning power back on if any part of the house flooded.
- 4Wear boots, gloves and a mask. Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals and sharp debris.
- 5Photograph each room, inside cabinets and closets, and the exterior high-water marks for your flood claim.
- 6Remove standing water only with equipment rated for it, and begin to remove saturated carpet and drywall that cannot be saved.
- 7Contact your flood insurance provider — FEMA flood policies are separate from homeowners insurance.
Avoid
- ✕Don't assume your homeowners policy covers it. Standard policies typically exclude rising floodwater.
- ✕Don't return power to wet appliances, HVAC equipment or outlets.
- ✕Don't discard damaged items before photographing them for the adjuster.
- ✕Don't assume a home is mold-free because it looks dry. Floodwater in wall cavities needs to be measured and dried out.
Flood damage is often the most extensive drying job a home will ever need. Removing wet drywall and insulation quickly, and drying framing with measured moisture readings, prevents hidden mold that can show up weeks later.