How to recover from a flood quickly and safely

Your safety comes first. Before returning to your home, wait for floodwaters to recede and emergency officials to say it’s safe to return.  Make sure electricity and gas are shut off when you go back to avoid fire or injury. For added caution, have an electrician check the house before turning the power back on. 

Start a claim with your flood insurance provider as soon as you can. They’ll connect you with an adjuster who will inspect your property for damage. 

Take pictures and videos of damage before you begin cleaning up. Take photos of the serial numbers of any damaged large appliances and keep carpet samples too. 

After documenting damage, dispose of any perishable items and items that could grow mold, including things like pillows and clothing. 

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies don’t cover mold damage so it's important you begin drying out damaged items as soon as possible to stop mold from growing and spreading. 

You may need help from an electrician or general contractor to repair your flooded property. Ask for all estimates in writing, and check with your insurance provider before signing any contracts. Ensure any service providers are licensed, bonded and insured. 

Be careful of disaster recovery scams. Ask to see the insurance adjuster’s driver’s license and Flood Control Number to ensure they’re authorized to work on your claim. 

You may qualify for up to an additional $30,000 to rebuild in ways that will reduce your flood risk in the future. This is called Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage (ICC). Talk to your insurance adjuster or agent to learn whether you qualify.