After A Flood, Priorities

Priorities will vary with kind and seriousness of damage. Buildings may not be habitable during repair.

1. Examine building structure. Check foundations for settling, cracking or undermining. Examine walls, floors, doors and windows to determine what repairs are necessary. You may want to repair only temporarily until extensive work can be done.

2. If basement is flooded, start pumping the water in stages. Pump about a third of the water each day.

3. Get electrical system in operation. If switch box is in a flooded basement, do not turn electricity back on until water has been pumped out. Take electrical appliances to a serviceman as soon as possible.

4. Get water system in operation. Disinfect wells and water system.

5. Shovel out mud and silt before it dries.

6. Before they dry, wash down flooded walls and floors with hose. Start at upper limit of flooding and work downward.

7. Scrub and disinfect walls and floors.

8. Start heating system, if possible, to speed up drying. Before operating it, heating system may need to be cleaned, dried and reconditioned. Make sure chimneys are clean before starting system.

9. Dry out walls and floors. If necessary for proper drying, strip walls open up to water level. Drill holes in exterior siding. Complete drying may take months.

10. Repair buckled walls and floors.

11. Clean and dry household items, furniture, carpets, clothing, dishes, bedding. Disinfect when necessary.

12. Treat items for mildew as needed.

13. Care for damaged trees, shrubs, and lawn.

14. Repaint, repair, refinish as necessary. This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the USDA Disaster Handbook.

MSU 2003

After A Flood, Priorities

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