Floods and Your Home

Floods and Your Home

Protecting your home during flood situations can involve a variety of actions, from inspecting and maintaining the property to installing protective devices or materials.

Use this checklist to prepare your home before, during, and after a flood situation.

Floods and Your Home [PDF]

Related Websites

Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
Website with links to specific disaster cleanup and hazard topics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Emergency Preparedness and Response: Floods
CDC's main website of flood preparedness, response and recovery information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Protecting Your Home and Property From Flood Damage
Web site with resources and tips for cleaning and saving water damaged property, such as family treasures, books, photos, valuables.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Returning Home Safelty
Website with information on what to do when returning home after a flood.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Ready.gov: Floods
Main website for FEMAs Ready America Program containing flood preparedness tips and resources.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Hazards and Threats Preparedness Resources
Website with numerous factsheets on topics for recovering from various all-hazard situations.
Louisiana State University Ag Center
Flood Information
NDSU-Extension flood preparedness and recovery website - contains factsheets, weblinks, podcasts and more.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
First Steps to Flood Recovery
Website containing information on various recovery measures following a flood.
Purdue Univeristy Extension
Flood Cleanup
Webstite with booklets and posters on flood cleanup and indoor air quality issues - available in multiple languages.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Additional Resources

Before the Flood: Protect Your Home

Anchor Fuel Tanks
Factsheet on how to anchor a fuel tank to protect it and your home or business during flooding situations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Build with Flood-Damage Resistant Materials
Factsheet on protecting your property from flooding through the use of flood damage resistant building materials.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Safety
Webpage with general information on how to prepare for a flood.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting
This guide contains several steps to protect your home if flood damage has occurred or if you home is in an area where flood damage is likely to take place. It explains how floods damage your home.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Install Sewer Backflow Valves
Factsheet on prevention measures to take to protect your property from sewage backups.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Plugging Home Drains to Prevent Sewage Backup
Factsheet discussing why and how to plug home drains to prevent sewage backup during flooding or heavy rain situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Raise Electrical System Components
Factsheet on raising electrical system components in efforts to protect your property from flooding.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Sandbagging for Flood Protection
Factsheet discussing how to properly build a sandbag dike.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Sandbagging Safety Tips
Video discussing safety tips to remember when filling sandbags during flood situations.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Septic Systems: Before, During and After an Emergency
Information on maintaining your septic system before, during and after an flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Sump Pump Tips
A series of videos of sump pump tips for spring and summer.
North Dakota State University Extension Service

After the Flood: Repairing Your Home

After a Flood: Precautions When Returning to Your Home
Document describing precautions to take when returning to home after a flood. Specific considerations for electrical and chemical hazards, clean-up and potential diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
After a Flood: The First Steps
Steps to take immediately after a flood situation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Caring for Important Papers: Steps to Take Before and After a Flood
Factsheet describing steps to take to protect and preserve important records before and after a flood situation.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Cleaning and Repairing Flooded Basements
Factsheet discussing steps to take to clean and repair basements after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Cleaning Flood-Damaged Carpets and Rugs
Factsheet on how to handle carpeting and rugs damaged during flood situations.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Cleaning Up Your Home After Flooding (video)
Video (26 minutes) discussing issues and safety measures to consider when cleaning up your home following a flood situation.
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Disinfecting Dishes, Cookware and Utensils: Safety Guidelines After a Disaster
Factsheet for disinfecting dishes, cookware and utensils after a disaster.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Drying and Repairing Walls - Remedies for Interior and Exterior Surfaces
Factsheet with guidelines for repairing walls after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Electrical Systems and Appliances: General Clean-up and What to do Before the Electrician Arrives
Factsheet describing steps to take with electrical systems and appliances following a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Emergency Disinfection of Bored or Dug Wells
Information on the safety precautions and disinfection of bored or dug wells after a disaster situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Emergency Disinfection of Cisterns and Other Rain-Catchment Systems
Information discussing how to clean, disinfect and maintain the cistern after a flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Emergency Disinfection of Drilled or Driven Wells
Information on the safety precautions and disinfection steps for drilled or driven wells following a flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Flood Clean-Up and the Air in Your Home
Booklet for basic information on how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Flood Clean-Up: General Guides for Clothes and Household Textiles
Factsheet with recommendations on cleaning of fabrics following a flood.
University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service
Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems
Factsheet discussing long-term indoor air quality problems following flooding situations and how you can lessen these effects.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Flood-Damaged Furniture and Appliances: Deciding What to Salvage and Tips on Reconditioning
Factsheet on salvage and reconditioning of flood-damaged furniture and appliances.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Flood-Damaged Walls, Ceilings and Floors
Factsheet on how to remove moisture, clean and repair your property after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Flooded Private Sewage Systems: Safety, Sanitation and Clean-up Concerns
Factsheet on the safety, sanitation and clean-up concerns involved with flooded private sewage systems.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Home Clean-Up and Sanitation: Safety Cleaning a Flood-Damaged Home
Factsheet on steps for cleaning and sanitizing a home after a flood.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting
This guide contains several steps to protect your home if flood damage has occurred or if you home is in an area where flood damage is likely to take place. It explains how floods damage your home.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mold Removal Guidelines for Your Flooded Home
Information on safely and effectively removing mold from your home.
Louisiana State University Ag Center
Reentering Your Flooded Home
Factsheet describing potential hazards and prevention measures when reentering your home after a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Repairing Your Flooded Home
Booklet (56-page) containing step-by-step advice for clean up, rebuilding and getting help after a flood.
American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Restoring Heating Systems After a Flood
Factsheet describing steps for restoring a heating system after a flood situation.
University of Wisconsin Extension
Returning Home After a Disaster: Be Healthy and Safe
Steps to take when returning to a home or business after a flood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Septic Systems: Before, During and After an Emergency
Information on maintaining your septic system before, during and after an flood situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Septic Systems: What to Do After the Flood
Factsheet with recommendations for addressing septic systems following a flood situation.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
What To Do After the Flood: Private Drinking Water Wells
Factsheet with recommended measures for the emergency disinfection of wells that have been flooded.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)