The First 24 Hours After Storm Water Damage: A Homeowner's Guide

Safety before anything else

Water and electricity are the immediate danger. Do not wade into a flooded room until you are sure the power to that area is off.

• If there is standing water near outlets, appliances, or the panel, shut off electricity to the affected area at the breaker — but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. If you cannot, call an electrician or your utility.
• Assume storm water and any water that came up from the ground or a sewer line is contaminated. Avoid skin contact, keep children and pets out, and wear boots and gloves.
• Watch for sagging ceilings and warped floors, which can signal water pooling above or structural weakening.

Stop the source

• For a roof leak, contain the drip with buckets and, if a ceiling is bulging, drain it in a controlled way from the low point.
• For a burst supply line or fixture, shut off the water at the main.
• For rising outdoor water, there may be nothing to "stop" — focus instead on moving valuables up and out of its path.

Document everything before you clean up

This is the step people skip in a panic, and it costs them. Before you move or throw away anything, capture the damage.

• Photograph and video every affected room, the water line on the walls, and all damaged belongings — with timestamps.
• Make a written list of damaged items with rough values.
• Call your insurer to open a claim early; ask specifically what your policy covers, since standard homeowners policies often exclude flood (rising surface water), which is covered separately.
• Keep receipts for anything you buy or pay for during cleanup, including a hotel if the home is unlivable.

Start drying — fast

Once you have documented the damage and it is safe, begin removing water and moving air. Mold can take hold within a day or two, so speed matters.

• Remove standing water with a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or pump.
• Get air moving with fans and open windows if the weather is dry, and run a dehumidifier if you have one.
• Pull up soaked rugs and move wet furniture to a dry area so the floor beneath can dry.
• Remove wet insulation and, where safe, open up soaked drywall (water wicks upward inside walls) so the cavity can dry — a pro can advise how far to cut.