Get HelpAfter a flood
Recovery guide
What to do after a flood or water damage
Whether it was a flash flood or a burst pipe, how fast you act in the first two days makes a big difference. Here’s how to stay safe and limit the damage.
On this page: Stay safeInsuranceDry outHealthGet help
Turn around, don’t drown
Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down, and a foot can sweep a car away. Floodwater can hide sewage, chemicals, sharp debris, and live electrical lines.
Step 1 · Before you go back
Stay safe around a flooded home
- Wait for officials to say it’s safe before going home if you evacuated.
- Stay away from downed power lines. Don’t touch electrical equipment if it’s wet or you’re standing in water. Have the power shut off before entering a flooded home.
- Smell gas? Leave right away and call the gas company from a safe place.
- Wear protective gear for cleanup: rubber boots, gloves, eye protection, and an N95 mask.
- Use flashlights, not candles.
- Never run generators, grills, or pressure washers indoors or in a garage, or near an open window. If you feel dizzy, sick, or weak, get to fresh air immediately.
Step 2 · Document and call
Start your claim before you clean
- Photograph and video every room, including the water line on walls, before removing anything.
- Call your insurer right away. What’s covered depends on where the water came from (see below).
- Save samples of damaged carpet, flooring, and drywall if your adjuster asks for them.
- List damaged items as you remove them, and keep receipts for cleanup supplies and repairs.
Is my water damage covered?
- Flooding from outside (rising water, flash floods, storm surge) is usually not covered by standard homeowners or renters insurance. It needs a separate flood policy.
- Sudden water from inside (a burst pipe, a broken water heater) is often covered by homeowners insurance.
- Sewer or drain backup is usually covered only if you added that coverage.
Have flood insurance but don’t know who your insurer is? Call FEMA’s FMIX line at 1-877-336-2627.
Step 3 · Dry out fast
You have about 24 to 48 hours to stop mold
- Remove standing water and wet items as soon as it’s safe.
- Pull out what can’t be dried: wet carpet and pad, insulation, and drywall above the water line (often cut 12 inches or more above it).
- Run fans and dehumidifiers and open windows when the air outside is drier.
- If you can’t dry everything within 24 to 48 hours, assume mold is growing. Get professional help for large areas.
- Throw out wet mattresses, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys, and anything porous that touched floodwater or sewage.
- Get written estimates from licensed water-damage restoration companies, and share them with your adjuster.
Step 4 · Protect your health
Water, food, and hygiene
- Check your drinking water. Ask your local water utility or health department whether tap water is safe. If you have a private well, have it tested before you drink from it.
- Throw out food that touched floodwater or got warm, including food in the fridge if power was out.
- Wash your hands with soap and clean water after handling anything from the flood.
- Clean cuts right away and see a doctor if they get red or swollen.
Step 5 · Get help
Where to turn next
- Federally declared disaster? Apply for FEMA help at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362, even if you have insurance.
- Find local help through your state resources page or by dialing 2-1-1.
- Need money to rebuild? See Financial help.
This page is general information, not legal, insurance, or medical advice. Programs, phone numbers, and hours change, so confirm details with each organization. Last reviewed November 2026.
Need help now?
- Emergency or danger: Call 911
- Disaster Victim Services, 24/7: (480) 349-7300
- Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS
- Local services: dial 2-1-1
- Disaster Distress Helpline: call or text 1-800-985-5990
Help in your state
Need help figuring out next steps?
Call Disaster Victim Services any time, day or night.