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Press
Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472
If
your home has suffered flood damage, here are some steps to help you
stay safe and secure in the days ahead. For more information, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.
To protect your property with a National Flood Insurance Policy, call
your insurance agent or call 1-800-427-2419 to find an agent near you.
Beware of Hazards
- Check for damage.
Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Contact the
appropriate professionals immediately if you suspect damage to water,
gas, electric and sewer lines.
- Throw away
water-damaged food
including canned goods that have come in contact with floodwaters. Boil
water until local authorities declare the water supply safe to drink.
File
your Flood Insurance Claim
- Call your agent
who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. Have the following
information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your
insurance company (your agent may write policies for more than one
company); (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail
address where you can be reached.
- Take photos.
To make filing your claim easier, take photos of any water in the house
and damaged personal property. If necessary, place these items outside
the home. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged
items (i.e.: cut swatches from carpeting, curtains, chairs) to prepare
your repair estimate.
- Make a list of
damaged or lost items
and include their age and value where possible. If possible, have
receipts for those lost items available for the adjuster. Law officials
may require the disposal of damaged items. If so, keep a swatch or
other sample of the item(s) for the adjuster.
Clean
Up
- Prevent mold and remove wet contents immediately.
Saturated carpeting, stuffed furniture, bedding (if wet) and any other
items holding dampness, moisture or water inside the building. Walls,
floors, doors, closets and shelves should be thoroughly washed and
disinfected.
- Thoroughly dry out the building's interior.
Portable dehumidifiers are useful and rental costs may be covered under
your flood policy. Your air conditioner can also be used to start the
drying out process.
- If the walls are damaged take photographs of the
baseboard then remove it.
Knock small holes at floor level in the drywall, between the wall
studs. This will permit moisture trapped behind the drywall to seep out
and start drying.
- Have your furnace checked for damage.
Your water heater may be working but if the floodwater was up on the
tank, the insulation between the walls is damaged. Obtain an estimate
to replace the damaged one.
- Restore water-damaged books, heirlooms and
photographs with tips from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/coping.shtm.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
- For FEMA
Disaster Assistance call 1-800-621-3362.
- For more
information about the NFIP and flood insurance, contact your
insurance company or agent, or call 1-800-427-4661.
www.fema.gov
www.floodsmart.gov
August 2005
National Flood Insurance Program
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