What to Do in the First Hour After Your Home Floods

Your safety comes before anything else. If water has reached electrical outlets or appliances, do not touch anything. Turn off the main power breaker only if you can do so without stepping into water. If you're unsure, wait for an electrician.

Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must enter flooded areas. Floodwater can hide sharp objects, chemicals, or sewage. Avoid contact with your skin. If you feel unwell or notice a gas smell, leave the house and call the gas company from outside.

Quick action can save your belongings. Lift furniture onto blocks or bricks to keep it out of the water. Remove rugs and curtains if they are wet, and hang them outside to dry. Move paintings and books to a dry area.

Do not throw away damaged items yet. Your insurance company may need to see them. Take photos of everything, including the water level in each room. This documentation helps with your claim. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

Open windows and doors to let air circulate, if weather permits. Use fans to move air across wet surfaces. Remove standing water with a pump or wet-dry vacuum, but only if it's safe to do so. The longer water sits, the more damage it causes.

If the flood is from clean water, you can start drying right away. For contaminated water, avoid spreading it. Turn on your HVAC system only if it's safe and the ducts are dry. For major flooding, the pros will handle water extraction and drying with industrial equipment.

• Open windows and doors for ventilation
• Use fans to circulate air
• Remove standing water with a pump or wet-dry vacuum
• Avoid turning on HVAC if ducts are wet
• Separate wet items to prevent mold growth