When floodwaters recede, we like to think the worst is behind us.
But for homeowners, the hours and days after a flood can be just as important as what happened during the storm. There are safety concerns to address, damage to document, decisions about cleanup and repairs, and eventually, questions about how to better protect your home the next time high water threatens.
That is especially true here on Delmarva.
The late September nor’easter brought significant coastal flooding to Ocean City and surrounding communities. And when flooding comes from the coast, it may not be just rainwater entering your home. Saltwater and brackish water can be particularly damaging to electrical components, appliances, HVAC equipment, vehicles and other materials because of corrosion.
So once the water goes down, don’t just think about cleaning up.
Think about staying safe, documenting what happened, protecting your home from further damage and learning from the experience.
First: Make Sure It’s Safe to Go Back Inside
The first instinct after a flood may be to get inside and start cleaning. Resist that urge until you know it’s safe.
Flooding can compromise your home’s structure, electrical systems and air quality.
Before you go back inside:
- Wait for emergency officials to give the all-clear.
- Watch for structural damage, unstable floors or other hazards.
- Be alert for electrical hazards and don’t use electricity until the home has been inspected.
- Wear boots, gloves and appropriate protection from contaminants.
- Keep children and pets away from contaminated floodwater and damaged areas.
Your safety comes before your cleanup schedule.
Document Everything Before You Start Cleaning
Once it is safe to enter, your next priority should be documenting any damage.
Think of your phone as one of the most important tools in your cleanup kit.
Take wide photos of each room, then get closer shots of damaged floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, appliances and personal belongings. Photograph damaged items before throwing anything away, and make a written list of what was affected. The source material also recommends saving images with dates and location details when possible.
You don’t need to create a perfect inventory while standing in the middle of a mess.
Just start documenting.
You can organize the details later.
You get bonus points if you have ‘before’ photos and video of your home and belongings. They will be useful if you need to submit a claim.
Take Reasonable Steps to Prevent More Damage
Once you’ve documented the damage, you may need to take reasonable steps to keep things from getting worse.
That might mean removing standing water, using fans or dehumidifiers, clearing out soaked materials or temporarily covering a damaged roof or broken window. Keep receipts for materials and other expenses associated with temporary repairs.
But don’t put yourself in danger trying to save the house.
If electrical systems, structural damage or contaminated water create a hazard, leave the work to qualified professionals.
And before making major repairs or disposing of heavily damaged property…
Call Your Insurance Agent!
Don’t wait until you’ve figured everything out before making the call.
Your insurance company or agent can help you understand the next steps, what documentation may be needed and how the claim process will work. You may also need to schedule an adjuster visit or virtual inspection. Keep your claim number and notes from your conversations in one place.
Standard homeowners policies generally don’t provide coverage for flooding caused by rising or overflowing water. That’s one reason understanding your coverage before a storm is so important.
And flood isn’t the only water-related issue worth discussing. Depending on your policy and circumstances, coverage questions can also arise around things such as sump pump failure, sewer backup and other forms of water damage.
If you’re not sure what your homeowners policy covers, or whether you have flood insurance, that’s a conversation VERY worth having before the next storm.
Be Careful Who You Hire
Unfortunately, disasters can attract people looking to take advantage of homeowners who are already overwhelmed.
If you need help with cleanup or repairs, look for licensed and insured contractors. Check references and credentials, and be cautious about unsolicited offers from people who suddenly appear after a storm. Avoid full payment before work begins and ask your insurance agency for a preferred restoration vendor list. The last thing you want to deal with while sorting out your storm damage is shady contractors!
Keep a Flood File
Flood recovery can generate a surprising amount of paperwork.
Create one place—whether that’s a physical folder or a digital folder in the cloud—for your:
- Photos and videos
- Insurance claim information
- Repair estimates
- Receipts
- Contractor information
- Inspection reports
- Correspondence with your insurer
- Records of temporary living or other related expenses
Keep a log of time spent on cleanup and maintain records that could be useful for insurance claims, tax purposes or future mitigation.
You may not need every piece of information forever.
But you’ll be glad you have it if you need to find it later.
Now Ask the Most Important Question: What Would I Do Differently?
Once the immediate crisis has passed, take a step back.
A flood can show you things about your home that you didn’t know before.
Ask yourself:
What was damaged?
Where did the water get in?
What could have been moved higher?
Were there appliances, electrical components or HVAC equipment in vulnerable locations?
Was anything exposed to saltwater that needs additional evaluation?
Could a sump pump, backflow valve or other improvement reduce the risk next time?
Are there cracks, openings or drainage issues that should be addressed?
What would I want to have ready before the next major storm?
You may not be able to prevent a high water event, but you may be able to make the next one less damaging.
Don’t Wait Until the Next Storm to Review Your Insurance
Flood recovery is also a good time to revisit your insurance.
Not because you necessarily need to buy more insurance—but because you should understand what you have.
Talk with your insurance professional about your home’s coverage and ask questions such as:
Do I have flood insurance?
What does my homeowners policy cover when it comes to water damage?
Do I have coverage for sewer backup or sump pump failure?
Are my limits still appropriate for the cost of rebuilding my home and replacing our belongings?
Are there improvements I could make that would reduce my future risk?
The goal isn’t simply to have a policy sitting in a file somewhere. It’s to understand how that policy is supposed to work before you need it.
A Flood Can Be a Lesson, Too
Nobody wants to experience a flooded home.
But once the immediate cleanup is behind you, the experience can give you something valuable: a better understanding of your home’s vulnerabilities.
Maybe you’ll move important belongings to higher shelves.
Maybe you’ll install a sump pump or backflow valve.
Maybe you’ll make changes to your electrical or HVAC systems.
Maybe you’ll finally create the emergency plan you’ve been meaning to make.
And maybe you’ll sit down with your insurance agent and make sure you understand exactly what protection you have—and where the gaps might be.
You can’t control the weather or the water.
But you can control how prepared you are for what comes next.
At Deeley Insurance Group, that’s part of what Be Sure means: asking the questions before you need the answers, understanding your coverage and taking the next right step to protect what matters most.
Reach out to Delmarva’s friendly home insurance experts today. Call or text 410.213.5600 or email BeSure@deeleyinsurance.com
