Immediate Actions (First 15 Minutes)
Ensure family safety - evacuate if water is rising or near electrical systems. Turn off electricity at the breaker if you can safely reach it. Stop the water source if possible (main shut-off valve). Call emergency services if there's immediate danger. Do not wade through standing water that may be electrically charged.
First Hour Response
Call a water damage restoration professional immediately. Document all visible damage with photos and video before touching anything. Contact your insurance company to report the loss. Move important documents and valuables to dry areas if safe to do so. Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
First 24 Hours
Do not attempt to remove standing water yourself without proper equipment. Remove wet area rugs but leave wall-to-wall carpet for professionals. Lift furniture off wet floors with aluminum foil or wood blocks. Empty and prop open refrigerator and freezer if power is off. Do not use household appliances that got wet.
Ongoing Response (Days 2-7)
Follow professional guidance for structural drying. Continue documenting the restoration process for insurance. Keep all receipts for expenses. Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (cover broken windows, tarp damaged roofs). Do not paint or make permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster has inspected.
Further reading
Background guidance from the organizations below. These resources do not endorse FloodPro or provide a quote or coverage decision for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is flooding an evacuation situation instead of a cleanup situation?
Evacuate when water is actively rising, has reached electrical outlets or panels, involves sewage throughout living spaces, or the structure shows stress (shifting, cracking, sagging). Property is replaceable — re-enter only when power is off and the structure is confirmed safe.
Can I use my wet/dry shop vac on flood water?
Only for small amounts of clean water, plugged into an outlet far from the wet area, never while standing in water. Flood water from outside is contaminated (Category 3) — it needs professional extraction and sanitization, not a shop vac.
Why shouldn't I remove wall-to-wall carpet myself after a flood?
Saturated carpet is extremely heavy, contaminated flood water makes handling it a hygiene risk, and tearing it out wrong can damage the salvageable subfloor beneath. Professionals extract water first, then remove carpet and padding in manageable, safely-disposed sections.
Need Professional Help Now?
Water damage gets worse by the hour. Our network of restoration professionals is available 24/7 for emergency response.
Call (844) 508-3743Learn more about our flood cleanup services.
