Is it safe to stay in a flooded house?

Before you go in

The CDC advises that if your home has damage, you should not reenter until a building inspector has examined it for safety. If the house has been closed up for several days, open doors and windows and let it air out for at least 30 minutes before staying longer.

Electricity

• Never turn power on or off yourself, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water.
• If standing water blocks the main power switch, call an electrician to shut it off.
• Have an electrician check the electrical system before you turn power back on, and dry electrical equipment completely before using it.

Gas

If you smell gas or suspect a leak, shut off the main gas valve if you can do so safely, open windows and leave right away. Avoid anything that could spark, such as light switches. Call the gas company or emergency services, and do not go back until you are told it is safe.

Contaminated water

• A flooded home may be contaminated with sewage. Avoid contact with floodwater.
• Follow local guidance on drinking water. The CDC advises against using suspect water for drinking, cooking, dishes, hand washing, ice or baby formula, and recommends testing private well water before use.
• Throw away food that touched floodwater, lost refrigeration or smells, looks or feels unusual.

Mold and the air

The CDC advises assuming your home has mold if it was flooded and closed up for several days. Dry it out quickly with fans and dehumidifiers, and point fans outward through a window or door so mold is not spread indoors. Have the heating and cooling system inspected and cleaned by a professional with mold experience before you turn it on.

Generators and carbon monoxide

Never run a gasoline-powered generator, pump or pressure washer inside or near an enclosed space, or within 20 feet of any door, window or vent.

Protective gear

Wear rubber boots when working in wet areas, and use battery-powered flashlights instead of candles or gas lanterns.

A small leak versus a flood

A short clean-water leak, such as a supply line you shut off quickly, is not the same as floodwater. But if you do not know where the water came from, or it came from a drain or toilet, treat it as contaminated until a professional says otherwise.

Source: CDC, Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home. This is general information, not medical or professional advice.