After the Flood Waters Subside: What to Do After a Flood

Once flood waters begin to subside, many are left with devastation in its wake. For some, the destruction amounts to total loss. For others, salvaging what’s left of their material possessions can be a long and arduous process. Starting the process of piecing together your home after a flood can be painful, but knowing where to start can help you hit the ground running in the recovery process.

Insurance companies bank on the fact that you just want your life back to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible. Before you rush to get your settlement money, be sure to follow these tips on what you need to do after a flood.

• Throw Out Food Items: Any fresh food item that has come into contact with flood waters must be thrown out, as floods can carry with them a multitude of bacteria and other harmful chemicals. Any food item that has not be refrigerated during the flood and that requires refrigeration must also be thrown away.
  

• Test Drinking Water: Many times, floods can damage the pipes and waterways that provide your home with potable drinking water, contaminating your sources. Water lines and wells could be spoiled by muddy flood waters, debris, and sewer effluent making them dangerous to drink. Be sure to get your water tested before drinking straight from the tap.
  

• Check Electrical Equipment and Gas Stoves: Electrical lines and gas lines could be damaged during intense flooding, so before you turn on your equipment, be sure to check the power sources for any damage. You’ll want all utilities checked by the proper authorities in case there was an electrical discharge or explosion which may have weakened your power sources.
  

• Report Damage: Many times, the repair companies are inundated with calls right after a disaster. This means that they’re attending to a variety of issues constantly, so they may not be able to check damages on their own. Report any downed power lines or other utility damage in order to have them fixed in time.
  

• Watch the Weather: Just because flood waters have subsided at this point doesn’t mean that the weather threat is over. Long spells of heavy rain can cause flooding to occur again very quickly, so keep an eye on weather channels to ensure that the threat is over.
  

Once the threat is over and the damage is done, then it’s time to start piecing together everything to get a better understanding of the total loss of your property. Remember that even areas that were just quickly touched by flood waters can become moldy over time, so you’ll need to have your home inspected by a repairman to assess the true damage so that you can file for the appropriate amount for your claim.

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