09/30/2026
So excited for the rain! ๐ง๏ธ But if your area gets hit with flood water here's what experts at FEMA, the CDC, and the EPA say to do when flood water gets inside your home โ in order of priority:
1. Safety first โ don't rush in
Wait until authorities say it's safe to reenter. Check outside for downed power lines, gas leaks, and foundation cracks before going in.
If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave immediately and call the fire department or gas company from a safe distance.
Never walk through flowing water โ 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
2. Shut off the utilities
Turn off electricity at the main breaker only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. If you'd have to stand in water to reach it, call an electrician.
Have an electrician inspect the system before powering anything back on. If water rose above the outlets, that's a must-do.
3. Document everything before you clean
Contact your insurance company and take lots of photos/video of the damage and the water line. This is critical for your claim โ flood insurance typically requires a proof of loss within 60 days.
4. Protect yourself
Wear an N95 respirator, goggles, rubber gloves, and clothing that covers your skin. Flood water can carry sewage, chemicals, and bacteria.
Keep children, pets, and anyone with a compromised immune system away from the cleanup.
5. Dry it out fast โ mold starts in 24โ48 hours
Remove standing water with a wet-vac or pump. Pump basements slowly (about 2โ3 feet per day) so the walls don't collapse.
Open windows and doors, use fans and dehumidifiers, and keep indoor humidity between 30โ50%.
Throw away anything absorbent that can't be cleaned and fully dried within 24โ48 hours (carpet, pads, mattresses, ceiling tiles, soggy drywall).
Don't run your HVAC system until it's been professionally inspected and cleaned โ it can spread mold through the whole house.
6. Clean and disinfect
Wash hard surfaces with water and detergent, then disinfect (the CDC suggests 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water for mold, or 1 cup to 5 gallons for general surfaces).
Never mix bleach and ammonia โ it creates toxic fumes.
Don't seal walls back up until everything is completely dry.
7. Watch the water and food
Don't drink or cook with tap water until your local health department says it's safe. If you're on a private well, get it tested.
Throw out any food that touched flood water โ when in doubt, throw it out.
8. Know when to call a pro
If there's structural damage, more than ~10 sq ft of wet drywall, or you're simply overwhelmed, hire a certified water/mold remediation professional. Watch out for post-disaster scams โ verify certifications.
Sources: CDC (Reentering Your Flooded Home), EPA (Flood Cleanup: Protecting Indoor Air Quality), FEMA (Repairing Your Flooded Home), and the National Center for Healthy Housing field guide.
