After your home has been flooded it’s important to take action immediately. You will likely be feeling overwhelmed and unsure, but as long as you begin the drying out process right away a surprising amount may still be saved.

The most important thing is to get the water out. Standing water and excess moisture, as well as being damaging to your home and furnishings, can also result in serious health hazards if left untreated for more than 48 hours.

Standing water is full of contaminants and an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms. Once in your home, these microorganisms can penetrate into materials and can cause allergic reactions and other health concerns.

The drying out process will take some time. If the house is not thoroughly dried out you will most likely notice a musty smell.

What to do:

	Take photos of the damage and write down and photograph what you are doing as you go.
	Assemble cleaning supplies, buckets, large containers and garbage bags, then put on protective gear, such as a protective mask and gloves. Depending on how bad the flooding is you may also need a sump pump, wet vac and dehumidifier.
	Remove all water and contaminated mud.
	Dispose of all household goods that have been contaminated. Any item that has come into contact with sewage water should be immediately discarded. For all other items the general rule is if it has been soaked and cannot be completely cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours then it should be discarded. If weather permits, take all salvageable items outside to dry as soon as you can.
	Flood-soaked wallboard, ceiling tiles, insulation and flooring materials may also have to be discarded depending on the extent of the damage.
	Thoroughly wash (use detergent and water) and rinse all surfaces. Rinse again.
	Dry out all that you can as soon as possible by opening doors and windows. Use fans and heaters, as well as dehumidifiers to speed the process if necessary.
	Important papers and photographs can be put in plastic bags and frozen until you have time to deal with them.

Before you move back in:

	Have a qualified tradesperson check any damaged appliances, electrical outlets, wiring, fuses and breaker panels before use.
	Consult with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist if your heating and/or cooling system has been damaged.

Rebuild and floodproof:

	Take your time to rebuild correctly and make improvements that will protect your building from damage by the next flood, if you expect that it is likely you could be flooded again.
	Make sure electrical panels are at least a foot above the projected flood elevation in your home.
	Place appliances, such as a washer and dryer, freezer furnace and water heater on masonry blocks or concrete. Consider moving the washer and dryer to a higher level.
	Build shelving to get any boxes or other storage items off the basement level.
	Move any valuables, such as important papers or photographs, to a higher level of the house.

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you can feel safer knowing you have taken measures to try to prevent flooding, or to alleviate damage.