The First Steps When Flooding Happens

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

Keep calm and know exactly what to do when flooding happens to you.

You can never predict when flooding will happen to you. Sure, if you live in a flood plain, you know the risks are higher during certain seasons and storms, but flooding could happen to anyone in the event of a leak or damaged water main or even during a bad enough storm if your foundation has issues you weren’t aware of. If flooding happens to you, it’s important to know exactly how to handle the situation so that everyone stays safe and your home can return to normal quickly.

1. Do NOT enter the flooded area. It might be your instinct to try to save or salvage something you left in the area, but it is important that you do not make contact with the water. The water could be conducting electricity and you could potentially get shocked. Additionally, the floodwaters could contain sewage or Category 3 Black Water that could make you ill.
2. Stop the flow of water, if possible. If the water is coming in from the outside in the event of a storm or such a meteorological phenomenon, then you will have no control over the water. If the water is coming from inside your home, however, make sure that you shut off the water to prevent the flooding from getting any worse.
3. Turn off the electricity. Make sure, once again, that you are not entering the water to do this. If you have to enter the flooded area in order to cut the power, you will need to call an electrician.
4. Document as much as you can. You will want to take as many photographs as possible to document the extent of the damage for your insurance company.
5. Call for help. Your first call should be to your insurance company to find out what the next steps are. It is incredibly important to handle flooding as quickly as possible, but you need to know if your insurance company will require an adjuster to view the damage before cleanup is begun.

The next steps – removing the water, drying the space, disinfecting, and eliminating mold – are a long and arduous process that should be begun immediately. Call on an experienced company like SERVPRO of Canton to come to your rescue. Our highly-trained technicians can deal with flooding and water damage quickly and efficiently and we are on duty 24/7/365, whenever and wherever disaster strikes. You can trust the SERVPRO team to return your home to perfect condition. We make it "Like it never even happened."