Recovering from a Flood

• Stay away from downed power lines and nearby water, as an electric current can travel through the water.
• Avoid walking, bicycling, or driving through flood waters.
• If your home experienced flooding, keep the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
• Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
• Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that have been wet and do not turn on, or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe. A trained professional may be able to recondition some devices, while others will require replacement.
• If you turned off your gas, check with your gas company before turning the gas back on.
• If you need to use a generator, be sure it’s outside in a dry area away from the building, as the fumes can be deadly. Do not run a generator in water. It poses a high risk of electrocution and can permanently damage the generator.

• Until local authorities say your water supply is safe, boil water for at least one minute before drinking or using it for cooking.
• Throw away food (including canned items) that has come in contact with floodwaters. Don’t eat food from flooded gardens. Throw away any refrigerated food that was not kept at temperatures below 40 °F for more than two hours, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.

If you’re unable to completely dry and clean your property in 24-48 hours, assume you have mold growth. Download the EPA’s Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters to learn more.

• Protect yourself with gloves, boots, safety glasses, an N-95 mask, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. Open doors and windows while you work.
• Wash hard, impermeable surfaces like wood and tile floors and walls with one cup of bleach to one gallon of water to kill germs and mold. 
• DO NOT mix bleach and ammonia because it can create toxic vapors. 
• Soft, porous items or surfaces like carpeting, mattresses, and upholstered furniture should be disposed of or disinfected by a professional cleaner. Any porous items or surfaces that have been exposed to chemical contaminants or sewage in floodwaters should be discarded.
• Discard and replace any drywall or other paneling that has been underwater.
• Use fans and dehumidifiers for drying. Ventilate the area well by opening windows and, if possible, placing fans in windows to exhaust inside air out.
• Painting or caulking over mold will not prevent mold from growing. Remove and discard all soaked or mold-impacted materials, disinfect all impermeable surfaces, and dry everything thoroughly before repairing damage, replacing building materials, and painting or caulking.

Follow instructions from officials on how and when to remove debris from your home or business. 

• Place debris curbside. Do not block the roadway or place debris near trees, poles, fire hydrants, meters, or other structures. 
• Separate debris into six categories:

1. Electronics (TV, computer, stereo, phone, etc.)
2. Large appliances (seal and secure doors)
3. Hazardous waste (oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas, etc.)
4. Vegetative debris (tree branches, leaves, plants, etc.)
5. Construction debris (building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing, etc.)
6. Household garbage (food, paper, packaging, etc.)