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Do not enter a flood-damaged home until local authorities or qualified professionals say it is safe. Once you have the all-clear, document damage and contact your insurer before cleanup, then protect people, remove water and unsalvageable materials, dry and clean the home, and follow local instructions before moving back in.
1. Wait for the all-clear before returning
Follow evacuation orders and wait until authorities or qualified professionals confirm that returning is safe. An apparently calm home can still have unstable floors or walls, damaged electrical or gas systems, or contaminated water and sewage.
- Look for sagging floors or ceilings, leaning walls, shifting debris, and other signs of structural damage from a safe location. Do not enter if the building appears unstable; ask local officials or a qualified professional to assess it.
- Do not touch wet electrical equipment, switches, or wiring, and do not stand in water near electrical equipment. If power may be on or electrical systems were flooded, contact the utility or a qualified electrician before entry or use.
- If you smell gas or suspect a damaged gas line, leave the area and contact emergency services or the gas utility from a safe location. Do not operate switches or use a flame.
- Do not wade through floodwater. It may contain sewage, chemicals, and hidden debris, and damaged electrical lines can make it dangerous.
- Ask local officials and utility providers about water and sewer safety, utility restoration, waste disposal, permits, and any continuing evacuation restrictions.
FEMA’s flood safety guidance and the EPA’s flooded-homes cleanup guidance describe hazards to check for, but local incident instructions take priority.
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2. Document damage and contact your insurer
Before removing damaged property or starting cleanup, contact your insurer and ask what documentation and claim steps your policy requires. Coverage and claim decisions depend on the policy. Ready.gov notes that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding; some homeowners have separate flood insurance, including through the National Flood Insurance Program.
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- Photograph and, where useful, video each affected room, building materials, appliances, and belongings before moving or discarding them, if it is safe to do so.
- Make an itemized list of damaged or lost property. Include descriptions and any purchase information you have; do not delay urgent safety work to find receipts.
- Keep photographs of belongings you must discard, and record what was removed and when. Ask your insurer whether it needs an inspection before particular repairs or disposal.
- Save claim correspondence and receipts for emergency work or purchases. Follow the instructions and deadlines your insurer gives you.
See Ready.gov’s flood insurance information and the National Flood Insurance Program. Neither a general guide nor a photograph guarantees coverage.
3. Decide whether cleanup is safe to do yourself
Do-it-yourself cleanup may be reasonable only when the home has been cleared for entry, utilities are safe, contamination is not suspected, and the work is manageable for the people doing it. Leave hazardous, contaminated, extensive, or difficult work to qualified professionals.
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| Situation | Safer next step |
|---|---|
| Sewage, chemical, or other contaminated water | Use an experienced water-damage restoration professional; consult local public-health officials about affected materials and disinfection. |
| Extensive water damage or mold covering more than about 10 square feet | Consult an experienced professional and the EPA’s more extensive remediation guidance. |
| Unsafe structure, electrical or gas hazards, or work beyond your ability | Do not proceed; get the relevant authority, utility professional, or qualified contractor to assess the hazard. |
| Small, manageable cleanup after the all-clear, with no suspected contamination | Follow protective steps, document the damage, and remove and dry materials promptly. |
The EPA’s mold remediation guidance uses about 10 square feet as a threshold for consulting more extensive guidance; it is not a guarantee that smaller jobs are safe to handle yourself. EPA does not certify flood-cleanup contractors or keep an official contractor list. When evaluating a provider, ask about relevant training, flood and mold cleanup experience, references, and how the proposed work addresses contamination and drying.
4. Protect people and set up before cleanup
Keep children out of cleanup work. People with asthma or other lung conditions, allergies, or weakened immune systems should not clean mold or enter moldy areas; seek advice from a healthcare professional if you are unsure about a health risk.
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For cleanup that is safe to undertake, CDC and EPA guidance recommends protective equipment such as an N95 respirator, goggles without vent holes, gloves, covered skin, and suitable waterproof boots or work shoes. PPE reduces exposure; it does not make unsafe entry or contaminated cleanup safe.
- Keep fuel-powered generators outdoors and at least 20 feet from buildings, doors, windows, and other openings. Keep them away from wet areas and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never mix cleaning products or add bleach to other chemicals. Follow product labels and local public-health advice on whether disinfection is appropriate.
- Gather basic cleanup supplies such as detergent, a bucket, and a stiff-bristle brush. A wet/dry vacuum may be useful for some tasks, but do not use it to remove contaminated standing water.
See the CDC’s after-a-flood guidance and EPA’s home mold cleanup advice for protective measures and cleanup basics.
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5. Remove water-damaged materials and dry promptly
After entry and utilities are safe, remove standing water and wet contents as soon as conditions allow. Dry the home and salvageable items completely and quickly. CDC advises drying the home and contents within 24–48 hours if possible; EPA warns that wet materials left for more than 24 hours can develop mold. Treat this as an urgency window, not a guarantee: materials may remain wet inside even when surfaces look dry.
- Remove standing water using a method appropriate to the water source and local guidance. Do not handle potentially contaminated water without professional advice.
- Move salvageable belongings to a safe, dry place and dry them thoroughly.
- Remove materials that cannot be cleaned and dried completely. Porous items such as carpet and ceiling tile may retain contamination or mold in their absorbent spaces and may need to be discarded.
- Photograph items before disposal when feasible, and keep a record for your insurance claim.
CDC’s floodwater cleanup fact sheet gives the 24–48-hour drying guidance. If drying cannot be completed promptly, or the affected area is extensive, consult a restoration professional.
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6. Clean surfaces and assess what remains
For surfaces that can be salvaged, EPA advises cleaning with water and detergent, then drying promptly. Follow local public-health guidance for disinfection, especially if floodwater may have contained sewage or other contaminants. Do not assume an absorbent or porous item is safe to keep simply because its surface appears clean.
Once cleanup and drying are complete, inspect for visible contamination, dust, persistent musty odors, and problems with heating, ventilation, or air conditioning. Mold sampling is not usually recommended as a substitute for careful inspection; if contamination remains or you cannot tell whether the home is safe, ask a qualified professional or local health department for advice.
7. Move back in only when it is safe
Reoccupation depends on local orders and the condition of the home, not just the absence of standing water. EPA says a home is likely ready for safe reoccupation when materials that cannot be cleaned and dried have been removed, essential equipment has been replaced, the home and its contents have dried, and remaining surfaces are clean. Confirm utility safety and follow any inspections, permits, water-use advisories, or other requirements set by local officials before returning to normal use.
For incident-specific instructions, contact your local emergency-management office, health department, utility providers, and insurer. Their directions govern when hazards, water safety, waste handling, repairs, or claim procedures differ from general guidance.
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