Follow your local officials. If your home is visibly damaged, have it inspected before you go in. If you smell gas, leave right away. These steps are general guidance and do not replace local orders.
Before you go back
Return only after local authorities tell you it is safe. Do not go inside if there is obvious damage such as downed power lines or trees, or cracks in the walls or foundation, until a professional or building inspector has checked the home. Go during daylight and use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns, not candles or open flames.
Outside the house
Stay out of floodwater and do not drive through flooded areas. Stay clear of fallen power lines and report them to the electric company. Do not enter a damaged building until local authorities say it is safe, and leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises. If your skin touches floodwater, wash the area with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
Gas, electricity and generators
If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Do not go back until you are told it is safe. Never turn power on or off yourself, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water. If you must enter standing water to reach the main switch, call an electrician, and have an electrician check the electrical system before power is restored. Never run a generator or camp stove inside your home, basement or garage, and keep it at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Use a battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector whenever you run one. If it sounds, leave and call 911. Do not connect a generator to your home wiring without an approved automatic-interrupt device.
Water and food
Follow local officials on whether tap water is safe. Do not use water that may be contaminated for drinking, cooking, dishes, brushing teeth, washing hands, making ice or baby formula. Throw away food that touched flood or storm water and perishable food that was not kept properly cold. See our guide on food safety after a power outage or flood for times and temperatures.
Dry out and deal with mold
If a flooded home has been closed up for several days, assume it has mold, even if you cannot see it. Open doors and windows and air the house out for at least 30 minutes before you stay longer. Remove standing water as soon as possible, once an electrician says power is safe, and use fans and dehumidifiers. Throw away items that absorbed water, such as rugs, mattresses and stuffed animals. Have the heating and cooling system checked and cleaned by an experienced professional before you turn it on. Before you clean up mold, put on an N95 respirator, goggles and protective gloves. A bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water can be used, and bleach must never be mixed with other cleaners.
Photograph before you clean
Before you start cleanup, contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings. See our guide on insurance and FEMA help.
If you need help
Call or text 211 for local disaster resources.
When the water goes down the house is not automatically safe. Structural damage, gas leaks, electrical hazards and mold can remain after the water is gone.
Check your own location
See current official alerts and the impact for your ZIP code.
Sources
- CDC: Returning Home After a Natural Disaster
- CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home
- CDC: Staying safe after a hurricane or other tropical storm
Reviewed by the Storm Incoming editorial team on October 24, 2026. Follow local emergency officials if their instructions differ.