The last thing you want is for your sewage to backflow during a flood. This happens when flooding causes sewage to back up into your home via the pipes. It’s smelly, messy and a health hazard. To prevent this, the 
5. Maintain your gutters and downspouts.
Maintain good drainage outside your home by regularly cleaning and decluttering splash pads, gutters and downspouts. This will allow roof rainwater to flow away from your property, preventing leaks inside or flooding around your home. You should also make sure your stormwater drains are clear and in good working condition.
Related: How to clean your gutters.
6. Improve your landscaping for runoff.
If possible, tweak your landscaping to ensure stormwater is flowing in the right direction: away from your home.
Consider adding a French drain, creating swales, digging a creek bed, improving your lawn’s slope or planting a rain garden.
Related: How much does a French drain cost?
7. Move your furniture.
Consider moving your furniture to the highest floor of your home. This will probably be your attic or second floor. Otherwise, you may spend a small fortune replacing your ruined couches, chairs and tables.
8. Elevate your electrical system’s components.
Raise electrical parts (outlets, switches, panels, wiring, etc.) 1 foot above flood level to ensure safety.
Keep in mind that this is not a DIY-friendly task. Because of the complexity and potential danger involved, it’s best to hire an electrician for this task.
Related: How much does it cost to hire an electrician?
9. Protect your major appliances from flood damage.
FEMA suggests raising heat pumps, water meters, and air conditioning condensers 1 foot above flood level to safeguard them. You should also elevate all of the elements in your HVAC system, washers, dryers and hot water heaters.
If that’s not possible, consider building floodwalls and shields. For example, some homeowners build a concrete floodwall with a shield around their hot water heaters or furnace to protect it.
10. Anchor your fuel tanks.
Flowing floodwaters can easily rupture and shift fuel tanks. That’s why it’s best to anchor your outside fuel tanks to large concrete slabs. These slabs should be heavy enough to withstand the force of the water.
11. Purchase a rain barrel.
Consider purchasing a rain barrel. These link to your gutter downspouts to help collect the water dripping from your roof.
Doing this not only helps direct excess water away from your home, it also serves as water storage too. You can use the rainwater reserve to water your plants and lawns.
12. Install flood vents in your garage or crawlspace.
According to FEMA, flood vents can prevent water pressure from increasing. Without these vents, the water pressure could potentially damage your home’s foundation and interior walls.
You can install these vents in your garage doors. They remain closed until water touches them. When it touches water, it opens to let water in and out, reducing the pressure.
13. Use flood-resistant materials when building or remodeling.
If you're building a new home (or remodeling your existing one) in a flood-prone area, aim to use water-resistant materials. This includes:
- Installing metal doors and window frames instead of wooden ones.
- Choosing ceramic tile, vinyl or rubber for your flooring instead of wood.
- Use cement board, concrete, lime plaster or properly treated wood for your internal walls and ceilings.
Tips for entering your home after a flood.
There are certain things you should do when reentering your home after flooding:
- Contact your insurance company. Call your insurer to find out what their policy and process is home floods. Document all of the damage by taking photos and writing down notes.
- Be cautious. When your home floods, sewage or mold is likely to contaminate it. Both of these can put your health at risk. If you think the risk is too great, don’t reenter your home; contact the authorities instead.
- Wear protective gear. Put on rubber gloves, rubber boots and goggles — especially if there’s still flood water inside your home. Visit the CDC website for more safety gear recommendations.
- Bring battery-powered flashlights. Avoid using candles or torches for lighting.
- Switch off the power. Always try to switch off your power supply from an area that has not been flooded. If this is not possible, contact an electrician in your area to turn off the power for you.
- Turn off the gas. The CDC also recommends that you switch off the primary gas valve if you think there’s a gas leak somewhere. Note that it’s unsafe to stay in your home if you suspect this. Call the authorities (gas company, police or fire department) immediately.
- Be careful when using generators. Chat with your utility company to determine whether you’re complying with the electrical codes. The CDC also warns that having a generator at the time your main electricity is back on can be a fire hazard.
How to clean up your home after a flood.
If it's safe to do so, you can clean up the damage the flood caused in your home. Some of these tasks are DIY-friendly; others may require a professional:
- Air out your home. Open windows and doors for at least 30 minutes to air your house a bit. Airing out your home is also one step to help address any potential mold issues.
- Remove standing water. Remove all traces of water, especially in your basement. For this, you may use a “wet-dry” shop vacuum or a sump pump.
- Completely dry out your home. This may help you prevent mold from growing. Open doors and windows, and use fans and dehumidifiers.
- Throw away damaged items. Get rid of contaminated furniture, toys, mattresses, carpeting, drywall, insulation and anything else that is beyond repair.
- Service your HVAC. Have a professional inspect, repair and clean your HVAC before you use it.
- Fix leaks. Have a professional inspect your roof, plumbing, walls and other areas in your home for potential leaks.
- Deep clean your home. The CDC recommends using hot water and dish detergent to clean anything that the floodwater has touched. This includes your flooring, countertops, walls, trim and molding, appliances and more.
- Get rid of mold. Do you see small traces of mold growth? Use water and bleach solution to clean it up. But if you have large amounts of mold, contact mold remediation services near you.
Pro tip: If you need to hire a mold remediation company, the CDC advises that you choose a professional that is affiliated with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).
Preparing for larger home repairs.
Floods can cause major structural damage to your home. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to consider doing larger home repairs and improvements. For example:
- Did flood water damage your walls and other areas? You'll want to consult a water damage restoration and clean-up company to help you repair your home.
- Is your flooring ruined? You may need to install completely new flooring.
- Did you have to throw out your contaminated drywall and insulation? You’ll need to have a professional install new drywall and insulation.
- Did your windows break during the storm? If so, you may need to replace them and consider getting hurricane shutters for added protection.
- Is your roof in bad shape? You may want to replace it with a stronger material.
Work with a professional to decide which areas of your home need to be rebuilt. And as you’re planning the rebuild, consider choosing flood damage-resistant materials.
Find professionals to help with flood and disaster damage.
Whether you’re looking for an electrician, HVAC technician, plumber or a roofing contractor, you can use Thumbtack to find a pro who can help you repair flood damage caused by a hurricane or tropical storm. Be sure to vet each professional (look at reviews, ratings, licensing, certifications, etc.), and get several quotes before you hire someone.
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
Visit the CDC, FEMA & Red Cross websites for more information:
- Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
- How Can You Stay Safe After a Flood?
- Fact Sheet: Don’t Wait to Begin Cleaning, Making Repairs
- Disaster Cleanup & Repair For Your Home
- Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm
- Use Safe Water After a Natural Disaster or Emergency
- Floodwater After a Disaster or Emergency
- Protect Yourself From Chemicals Released During a Natural Disaster
- Prevent Illness and Injury After a Disaster
Related: How to weatherproof your home.
