If Your Basement is Flooded

Some storms can be very severe and bring strong enough rains for water to get into your basement. FEMA provides good information on what to do during a flood.

Flooded basements can be very dangerous and should be navigated with caution. To be safe, always assume that water in a flooded basement is energized. The American Red Cross has good information on Repairing Your Flooded Home.

Don't walk through a flooded basement while the electricity is still connected.
Even if the amount of water in your basement seems small, you could be putting yourself at risk for electrocution. Electric pumps and wet-vacs seem like a natural solution to remove the water, the the risk of electrical shock is too great.

Using a generator to power your pump or wet-vac is recommended by most safety experts. Using a generator has its own set of safety concerns. Get information about the safe operation of a generator before using one.

Call your electric company to have service disconnected.
If there is standing water in your house, call your local electric company to have the power disconnected. Once the power is disconnected, It should be safe to begin cleaning up your house.

When you are ready for your service to be reconnected, call your electric company back to have your service connected again. Make sure that you have a licensed electrician inspect your house before you call your utility to have the service reconnected.

Have your natural gas turned off if your basement floods.
Hot water heaters, furnaces and heaters can have pilot lights that can be put out by standing water. This may allow natural gas to escape into your home creating a risk of explosion.

In the event your basement floods, call your local gas company to have your home’s natural gas turned off.

After the water recedes, your hot water heater and furnace should be inspected by a professional prior to having the gas service turned back on.