Is flood water in my home dangerous?
Yes, it should be treated that way. Water from outside can carry soil, chemicals and sewage, so it is classed as Category 3. Keep skin contact to a minimum and keep children and pets out of flooded rooms until cleanup is done.
Can I clean up flood water myself?
A few buckets tracked in at a doorway is one thing. Standing water across a floor is another. Flood water is unsafe to handle without protective equipment, and it soaks into materials you cannot see. For anything beyond a small puddle, call (000) 000-0000.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood water in my home?
Usually not. Water that rises from outside generally needs a separate flood policy. Rain entering through a storm-damaged roof is a different matter and is often covered as storm damage. Read your policy, and report the damage early either way.
What has to be thrown away after a flood?
Soft, porous items that soaked up flood water often cannot be cleaned safely: carpet padding, soaked insulation, mattresses and some soft furnishings. Hard surfaces and solid furniture can often be cleaned and dried. A good provider should sort what can be saved from what cannot, and document both for your records.
How long does flood cleanup take?
Extraction and removal usually happen first, then drying runs for several days. The full timeline depends on how much water got in, how many rooms it reached and what had to be removed. Moisture readings, not the calendar, decide when drying is finished.
Can my hardwood floors be saved after flooding?
Sometimes. It depends on how long the wood sat in water and how much moisture reached the subfloor. Fast extraction gives wood the best chance. Cupped or buckled boards that do not settle as they dry may need repair or replacement. (More on saving floors: see the hardwood answer on Page 8.)
When should I call — during the storm or after?
Stay safe during the storm. Call once you can do so safely, even if water is still coming in, and ask what to do first. Call (000) 000-0000 at any hour.
Local facts
- In August 2022, DFW Airport recorded 9.19 inches of rain in 24 hours — flash flooding is a documented Southlake-area risk, not a theory.
- Flood water is handled as Category 3 (unsafe) from the first minute.
- New flood policies normally have a 30-day waiting period — the time to check cover is before storm season.
This website connects callers with independent local water damage providers. It is a referral service and does not perform the work itself.