If your basement is flooded, protect people before property. Stay out when electricity, sewage, chemicals, gas, structural damage or fast-rising water may be involved. From a dry location, call the appropriate emergency, utility or qualified professional.
Last reviewed September 24, 2026.
What to do in order
- Keep everyone out. Block access for children and pets. Leave the building for gas odor, structural movement or an immediate threat.
- Control the active hazard from a dry location. Call emergency services for immediate danger, the utility/gas provider for utility hazards, an electrician for wet electrical systems, or a plumber for an active plumbing/sewer/sump failure.
- Document before cleanup. Photograph water depth, entry path, affected rooms and damaged belongings if you can do so safely.
- Notify insurance. Ask what documentation and emergency mitigation they require. Coverage depends on the source and policy.
- Remove water only after hazards are controlled. Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals and sharp objects; professional extraction may be appropriate.
- Dry and remove unsalvageable wet material. EPA recommends getting the home and wet contents dry within 24–48 hours when possible.
- Correct the source before rebuilding. Determine whether the event came from plumbing, drain/sewer backup, sump failure, surface runoff or groundwater entry.
Who handles what?
| Situation | First call may be | Information to provide |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate threat, collapse, strong gas odor | Emergency services / utility | Location, people at risk, water depth, odor or visible damage |
| Water may contact live electrical equipment | Electrician / utility | Where water is relative to panel, outlets, appliances and pump |
| Burst pipe or active plumbing leak | Plumber | Source if known, shutoff status, approximate water depth |
| Sewer/drain backup | Plumber / sewer professional / restoration | Affected drains, odor, contamination and whether other fixtures backed up |
| Sump system failed or cannot keep up | Pump/plumbing service | Pump behavior, pit level, power/outage, visible discharge |
| Storm/groundwater entered through foundation | Waterproofing/drainage or foundation specialist | First entry point, rain timing, exterior runoff and prior history |
| Wet contents and building materials | Water-remediation/restoration professional | How long materials have been wet and contamination source |
Cleanup after the space is safe
EPA flood guidance recommends protective equipment, cleaning hard surfaces appropriately and drying wet areas quickly. Do not mix cleaning products. If visible mold is already present, avoid blowing fans across it into clean areas. Some porous materials that cannot be cleaned and dried may need disposal.
Do not rebuild over uncertainty
A dry-looking basement does not prove the source was fixed. Before replacing drywall, flooring or stored contents, identify why water entered and confirm that the drainage, sump, plumbing or foundation repair addresses that pathway.
Sources and scope
Use the manual for your exact pump, controller, valve and backup system when it differs from general guidance.
- CDC — Reentering Your Flooded Home — Electrical and reentry safety around standing water.
- EPA — Flood Cleanup — Flood cleanup, protective equipment and drying guidance.
- EPA — Flooded Home — Flood cleanup, mold, drying and generator-safety guidance.
Record the first entry point
After immediate safety steps, note whether water first appeared at a wall, window, floor joint, sump pit or floor drain. If it came up through a drain, use the sewer-backup decision guide and report a possible public-main event promptly where your utility provides that service.