FEMA offered a few simple tips to help you respond to damage caused by flooding.

1. 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 food that has come in contact with floodwaters. Boil water until authorities declare the water supply safe to drink.
2. File your Flood Insurance Claim
• File a claim. Have the following information with you when you place your call: the name of your insurance company (your agent may write policies for more than one company); your policy number; and a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached.
• Take photos. Take photographs 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 (e.g., cut swatches from carpeting) to prepare your repair estimate.
• Make a list. List all damaged or lost items and include their age and value where possible. If possible, supply receipts for those lost items to the adjuster. Officials may require disposal of damaged items. If so, keep a swatch or other sample of the items for the adjuster.
3. Clean Up
• Prevent mold. Remove wet contents immediately. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and any other items holding moisture or water inside the building can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. If an item has been wet for less than 48 hours, help control mold growth by cleaning with a phenolic or pine-oil cleaner (non-ammonia detergent, soap or commercial cleaner) and disinfecting with a 10 percent bleach solution (1-1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon of water). Items should then be completely dried and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors. If any mold develops, throw the item away.
• Thoroughly dry out the building's interior. Portable dehumidifiers are useful, and rental costs may be covered under your flood policy. An air conditioner can also be used to start the drying-out process.
• Take photographs of wall baseboards. Then remove the baseboard. 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 work, but if the floodwater covered part of, or the entire tank, the insulation between the walls may be damaged. Obtain an estimate to replace the damaged furnace and water heater.
• Contact your local building inspections or planning office. Get more information on local building requirements before repairing your structure. If you can't find a local contact, call your state NFIP coordinator. Contact information can be found at www.floods.org/statepocs/stcoor.asp.

For more information, visit FloodSmart.gov. To protect your property with a flood insurance policy, call your insurance agent or call 1-800-427-2419 to find an agent near you.