Flood Cleanup

When your house floods, the water can damage the house, your belongings, and the health of the inside environment. Flood waters have many germs and lots of mud. Even a small amount of water can damage expensive items like carpets, walls, appliances, and furniture. A bigger flood can damage even more costly things like ducts, the heater and air conditioner, roof, sewage and well systems, utilities, and the foundation.

Picture of flooding inside a living room with furniture and debris floating

Clean and dry your house and everything in it.

Throw away things that soak up water and can't be cleaned or disinfected. This includes things like mattresses, carpeting, makeup, stuffed animals and baby toys.

Woman cleaning kitchen wearing mask, gloves, and goggles

When in doubt, throw it out!

Throw out ALL food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters. This includes things like canned goods, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and containers with food or liquid that has been sealed shut. 

Man wearing mask, goggles, gloves, long sleeve shirt, long pants, and boots

What to wear when cleaning:

  • A N-95 respirator (found at hardware stores)
  • Goggles
  • Gloves
  • Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and
  • Boots or work shoes

Picture of a portable generator

Portable Generators:

Use portable generators OUTSIDE and far away from the building. The exhaust, or fumes, from a portable generator could kill you in minutes if you breathe it in!

Additional guidance can be found online at: https://www.cdc.gov/floods/safety/floodwater-after-a-disaster-or-emergency-safety.html

Do you have a well?

Read about Well Protection in Flood Prone Areas

Sewage Backup

Sewage Cleanup requires extra precautions. Read about Sewage Backup.