Flood Recovery
Checklist
General
Services Administration (www.gsa.gov)
Dealing with a flooded home is devastating and
overwhelming. Below are resources to
help you with the recovery and rebuilding process. This is not intended to be a comprehensive
list but a starting point for you based on lessons learned from others who have
faced similar devastation.
FIRST Priority:
Apply for
FEMA assistance ASAP at:
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/; 800-621-3362/TTY; 800-462-7585
--you will need the following information when applying for assistance:
Social Security Number; Insurance Information; Damage Information; Financial
Information (i.e. annual household income, before taxes, at time of the
disaster); Contact Information; Direct Deposit information (optional)
Contact
your flood, homeowners and/or renters insurance, even if you have doubts
that the damage will be covered. Have a good contact number to provide to the
agent. Ask if your policy covers living expenses
if you cannot stay in your home or rental unit. If you lost the copy of your
insurance policy, request a copy. If your insurance covers the damage, your
agent will tell you when an adjuster will contact you. DO NOT sign forms from
insurance companies indicating a final interaction, full payment or complete
settlement because other disaster-related damages may surface weeks and months
later.
Document
damage. List damage and take photos
with a date and time stamp. You’ll need
written documentation of damage and loss for insurance claims, applications for
disaster assistance and income tax deductions. Document losses, writing down
ALL damaged items, not just the “big” items.
If possible, include brand, model numbers and other property descriptors
that substantiate the loss. In addition,
start tracking any expenses related to the damage.
Contact
your auto insurance company with vehicle damage. Indicate where a claims adjuster can find the
vehicle and your contact information.
Ask if insurance covers a car rental.
Abandoned vehicles may have been towed.
Any employee who had vehicles towed can visit http://findmytowedcar.com or call 713.308.8580
Secure
papers needed at this stage: mortgage/deed, copy of a mortgage payment,
list of prescriptions, bank account numbers, credit card and phone numbers,
driver’s license and Social Security card.
Notify
your mortgage company of the disaster and the extent of damage to
property. Tell the company how to
contact you.
FEEA
(Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund) offers disaster relief
grants to eligible federal employees when disaster strike. Grant application package can be accessed at:
https://feea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/grant_app_package_8-17.pdf
Shelter Locations: for updated status on shelter
capacity visit: Red Cross Open Shelter Locations
Safety as You Return
to Your Home after the Flood:
Turn off electricity. If you have to step in water to get to your
electrical box, call an electrician or your power company to do it. If the
electrical box is wet, there is potential for electrocution until the main
fuses have been pulled. The handle will turn off power to circuits but not the
box. Use something that is an electrical insulator, such as a wooden stick or
plastic pipe, to pull the fuse box handle to off and pull out the main fuses.
Unscrew each circuit fuse. On the breaker box, use the stick to switch off the
main breaker switch and each circuit breaker. Use an electrical tester to
verify that the electricity is off. Even if the power company has turned off
electricity to your area, make sure your house’s power is disconnected so it
won’t come back on without warning.
Turn off gas. If you suspect a leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately.
1.
Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell
phones), start or drive a car or anything that could cause a spark.
2.
Go directly to a safe location and call CenterPoint Energy and
911. Do not use e-mail or the Internet
to contact the company about a leak, and never assume someone else has reported
the leak.
3.
Alert your neighbors.
Warn others to stay away from the leak.
4.
Never try to repair a natural gas leak yourself.
Stay healthy. Wash hands with soap and water often. Get a tetanus booster
before working in floodwaters.
Use generators safely. Use gas-powered generators outdoors only. Make
sure you have the proper voltage, frequency and safety switches.
Use electricity safely in wet areas. Raise cords off damp floors
and use ground fault circuit interrupters in all circuits and extension cords.
Dress appropriately. Wear heavy, long pants; long-sleeved shirts;
heavy gloves; and durable boots. Wear safety goggles, rubber gloves and other
items when needed.
Take care of yourself and your family. Accept support from
family, friends and others. Talk about your feelings to release tension.
Discuss the situation with children honestly and openly. Get proper nutrition
and rest. Pace yourself, and take one step at a time. Don’t be afraid to get
help.
General Cleanup
Information and Tips for after a Flood
Try not to be discouraged by the huge mess. You’ll want to just throw it out so it will
be over. Don’t. Lots of stuff can be
salvaged. Hardwood furniture will
usually be ok after a few days of drying.
Antiques will often fare better than you’d expect because they are more
likely solid. Claim everything on insurance even if you save it. If flood water touched it, you can claim
it. Whether you keep it or not is up to
you.
a.
Clean and kill germs from all items touched by
floodwaters, including children’s toys
b.
Throw away items that cannot be easily washed
and disinfected (such as mattresses, stuffed animals, baby toys, and wood
cutting boards)
1.
Don’t throw anything really away. You need to get rugs and carpets out for
remediation, but put them in the back yard so your adjuster can see them.
2.
Document the water line. Sheetrock should come out at least 2 feet or
more above the water line to prevent creeping mold.
Get organized. Set priorities. Follow a three-step process for
cleaning.
1. Remove mud. Shovel out as much mud as possible, and then use
a garden sprayer or hose to wash away mud from hard surfaces. Remember to hose
out metal heating ducts, disconnecting the furnace first. After clearing off mud,
remove any porous materials since they are contaminated.
2. Clean. Scrub surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty detergent. Clean
from the bottom to the top since drips and streaks are easier to remove if
they’re on sections already cleaned.
3. Disinfect. Disinfect with a solution of ¼ cup chlorine bleach per gallon of
water or a product that is labeled as a disinfectant to kill germs. Laundry
bleaches should not be used on materials that will be damaged or might fade.
Don’t mix cleaning products. A combination of chemicals can give off toxic
fumes. Thoroughly clean and dry your house before trying to live in it and
before making permanent repairs.
Dry ceilings and walls. Flood-soaked drywall or other porous material
must be removed and thrown away. Plaster and paneling often can be saved, but
air must be circulated in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills. The
three kinds of insulation must be treated differently. Styrofoam might only
need to be hosed off. Fiberglass batts should be thrown out if muddy but may be
reused if dried thoroughly. Loose or blown-in cellulose or fiberglass must be
replaced because it holds water for a long time and can lose its antifungal and
fire-retardant abilities.
Prevent mold growth. Take furniture, rugs, bedding and clothing
outside to dry as soon as possible. Mold may grow in only a couple of days with
Houston’s humid weather. Use an air
conditioner or dehumidifier to remove moisture or open at least two windows to
ventilate with outdoor air. Use fans to circulate air in the house.
Remove mold, if possible. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces such as
hard plastic, glass, metal and countertops. However, completely removing
moisture and mold from porous surfaces such as paper, drywall and carpet
padding is impossible, so these materials must be removed and discarded. When
cleaning, wear a two-strap (N-95 rated or better) protective mask to prevent
breathing mold spores. Remove mold from nonporous materials with a three-step
process:
1. Brush or vacuum. If mold and mildew already have developed, brush
off items outdoors to prevent scattering spores in the house. If items can’t be
moved outdoors, dampen them to minimize the number of airborne mold spores.
Vacuum non-porous surfaces with a HEPA vacuum to remove loose mold and spores.
2. Scrub. Using a stiff brush, scrub with a non-ammonia soap or detergent.
(Do not mix ammonia and bleach; the fumes are toxic.) Scrubbing may not
completely remove mold growth on structural wood, such as wall studs, so it may
need to be removed by sanding. Wear personal protective gear and isolate the
work area from the rest of the home.
3. Disinfect. After the mold is removed, disinfect the area using a bleach and
water solution or another disinfectant. The amount of bleach recommended per gallon
of water varies considerably. A clean surface requires less bleach than a dirty
surface. A solution of 1 cup of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water should be adequate
for clean surfaces. The surface must remain wet for about 15 minutes to allow
the solution to disinfect. Concentrations as high as 1½ cups of bleach per
gallon of water are recommended for wood and concrete surfaces that could not
be thoroughly cleaned. Provide adequate ventilation during disinfecting and
wear rubber gloves. Finally, rinse the entire area with clean water, and then
rapidly dry the surfaces. Use fans and dehumidifiers or natural ventilation that
exchanges inside air with outside air.
***Mold Prevention
Strategies and Possible Health Effects
- Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health
Effects in the
Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods. MMWR June 9,
2006; 55(RR08):1-27. How to limit exposure to mold and identify
and prevent mold-related health effects after major hurricanes and
floods.
- Mold After a Disaster FAQs and Emergency Preparedness and
Response resources for flood-damaged homes.
- Health Concerns
Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged Homes After Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita — New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 2005. MMWR January 20, 006;55(02):41-44.
Report: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive mold damage in
buildings. PDF[541 – KB]
- Population-Specific
Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Buildings Flooded
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by Specific Activity and Risk Factor[PDF – 156 KB] Guidelines and chart showing how
people particularly sensitive to mold can protect themselves.·
Cleaning Carpet and
Floors
Clean and dry carpets and rugs as quickly as possible unless
they must be discarded. If sewage-contaminated floodwaters covered your carpeting,
discard it for health safety reasons. Also discard if the carpet was wet or
damp for more than a couple days. To clean, drape carpets and rugs outdoors and
hose them down. Work a disinfecting carpet cleaner into soiled spots with a broom.
Dry the carpet and floor rapidly and thoroughly before replacing the carpet.
Padding is impossible to clean, so it must be replaced. If the carpet can’t be
removed, dry it within 48 hours of when it became wet using a wet/dry vacuum,
dry outdoor air and/or dehumidifier. Use fans to circulate air above and
underneath the carpet. Unless the carpet is very thin, such as an
indoor/outdoor, lifting the carpet to expose both sides for drying is very
important. Mold growth likely will occur unless the carpet can be dried within
24 to 48 hours, depending on the temperature.
Remove hardwood floor boards to prevent buckling. Remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling
caused by swelling. Clean and dry wood before attempting repairs. With wood
subflooring, the floor covering (vinyl, linoleum, carpet) must be removed so
the subflooring can dry thoroughly, which may take months. Open windows and
doors to expose the boards to as much air as possible.
Cleaning Household
Items
Clean wooden furniture. If wooden furniture is worth saving, let it dry
indoors because sunlight may warp the wood. To remove white spots that may
develop on damp wood, rub a damp cloth dipped in turpentine or camphorated oil,
or in a solution of ½ cup of household ammonia and ½ cup of water. Wipe dry and
polish with wax or furniture polish.
Wash bedding. Wash soaked bedding in a bleach solution as
recommended on the label as soon as possible. Treat spots and wash repeatedly
until stains are gone or not reduced anymore. Dry in the dryer only after the
items are as clean as they can get because heat sets the stains.
Replace water-soaked materials. Throw away water-soaked
mattresses and pillows because removing all the bacteria is impossible.
Treat washable clothing and other washable textiles
before washing. Try to remove stains with removal products before washing. Dry
in the dryer only after the items are as clean as they can get because heat
sets the stains.
Disinfect cookware. Take apart kitchen
items that can be cleaned in pieces. For any cookware that can go in the
dishwasher, run it through a hot-water cycle with detergent. For cookware that
requires hand washing, scrub with a brush in a strong detergent solution, and
rinse in hot water or a solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon
of water. Drain and air dry. Disinfect silverware, metal utensils, and pots and
pans by boiling in water for 10 minutes. Don’t use chlorine bleach because it
reacts with many metals and could cause them to darken. Air dry dishes rather
than using a towel to avoid possible contamination.
Discard soft and porous materials. Porous plastic and
wooden items are contaminated by dirty water because the water soaks in and
they cannot be sanitized. Replace plastic baby bottles, pacifiers, plastic
tubs, wooden spoons and anything else that is porous.
Pictures, Valuable
Papers and Books
Freeze valuable items that can’t be cleaned immediately. Photographs, books
and important papers can be frozen and cleaned later. Wash the mud off. Store
the articles in plastic bags and put them in a frost-free freezer to protect
from mildew and further damage until you have time to thaw and clean them.
Clean and dry valuable papers. Wash the mud off,
then spread and air dry individual pages. Press pages flat with a warm iron or
flatten under weights.
Wash and dry books. Rinse off mud, and then stand books on end to air
dry. Put paper towels between every 30 pages or so to wick out water. Change
paper towels frequently.
Remove photos from frames. Rinse with clean water. Do not touch or blot
surfaces. Air dry.
Dealing with Stress after
a Disaster
It is normal to experience different and strong emotions
during and after a disaster.
In addition to the Federal Agencies’ Employee
Assistance (EAP) Coordinators (https://www.opm.gov/cclcontact)
, the Texas Dept. of State Health offers the following:
o
Disaster Distress Helpline at
800-985-5990, visit http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Ask for help.
Be extra patient.
Determine what’s really important, keeping in mind that your
viewpoint on what should be considered top priority may be different from your
family’s viewpoint.
Don’t expect things to restore themselves instantly. Accept that
restoration (both physical and emotional) takes time.
Realize that disaster victims have suffered losses and expressing
disbelief, anger, sadness, anxiety and depression afterward is natural.
Realize that the emotions of victims will roller-coaster and
moods can change unexpectedly.
Don’t overlook the feelings of children as you deal with the
situation. They need to feel they can count on you for the extra attention,
love and support needed to get through the crisis.
Reassure them, making sure they understand they are not
responsible for the problems you face.
Refocusing on the big picture, instead of the little details and
the little problems, will give you a sense of competency.
Talk with friends, family, counselors or members of the clergy.
In crisis situations, a supportive network is essential.
Be aware of the tendency to resort to bad habits when you are under
stress.
Try to keep your family diet as nourishing as possible under the
circumstances.
Get enough sleep. Being a “sleep cheat” ultimately will backfire.
Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Avoid sleeping pills
because these pills negatively alter normal sleep patterns.
Make a list. List the things that need to be done first, second,
third and so on. By ranking what needs to be done, the tasks that cannot be put
off are taken care of first. Too often, we try to do everything at once with
the result that nothing gets done the right way.
Learn acceptance. So often, we worry about things that we cannot
control. Face that fact. If you cannot control a situation or occurrence, then
learn to accept that as a reality. Conserve your energies for the things you
can control.
Important Numbers
and Contact Information
3.
FEEA (Federal Employee Education
& Assistance Fund: https://feea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/grant_app_package_8-17.pdf
4.
Shelter Locations: Red Cross Open Shelter Locations--
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter
5.
Mold Prevention and Clean-up:
·
Mold
Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods. MMWR June 9, 2006; 55(RR08):1-27. How to limit
exposure to mold and identify and prevent mold-related health effects
after major hurricanes and floods.
·
Mold After a Disaster FAQs and Emergency Preparedness and
Response resources for flood-damaged homes.
·
Health Concerns Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged
Homes After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 2005. MMWR
January 20, 006;55(02):41-44. Report: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
caused extensive mold damage in buildings. PDF[541
– KB]
·
Population-Specific
Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Buildings Flooded After
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by Specific Activity and Risk Factor[PDF – 156 KB] Guidelines and chart showing how people
particularly sensitive to mold can protect themselves.·
6.
Assistance with Stress:
7.
Replacing Important Papers
· Birth and Death Certificates—contact your county courthouse or site below. Information needed: name of record, date of
birth, place of birth, father’s name, mother’s name—www.vitalrec.com
· Marriage License, Marriage Dissolutions (divorces), Adoption Decrres—contact your county courthouse
· Driver Licenses—visit any Texas driver license site with acceptable identification
· Military
Records—Request Standard Form 180
(SF-180) from any office of the Veterans Administration, American Legion, VFW
or Red Cross, or download form: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
· Transcript
of your Tax Return—call nearest
Treasury Department office, IRS office or (800)829-3646; request form 4506
· Savings
Bond/Notes—complete form
PDF 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed U.S. Savings Bonds) available by
calling (304) 480-6112 or at
·
Credit Cards American Express ........ (800) 528-4800
Discover ........................(800) 347-2683
MasterCard ...................(800) 622-7747
Visa ...............................(800)
847-2911
