Additional Resources and Help
Funding Resources
FEMA, SBA, and other federal, state, and local agencies may provide financial assistance to individuals who have been impacted by flooding. You should also see if nonprofit organizations are active and providing assistance in your area. Search in your search engine for “*disaster name* disaster assistance” like “Hurricane Laura disaster assistance” and look for websites that end in .gov or .org for government and non-profit resources.
Creating a Safe Workplace
Stay safe during cleanup with tips in this video with some specific recommendations from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
- If you are in the heat <2 hours and involved in moderate work activities, drink 1 cup (8 oz.) of water every 15–20 minutes.
- During prolonged cleanup activities lasting several hours, drink sports drinks containing balanced electrolytes.
- Avoid alcohol to prevent dehydration.
For more information on how to stay healthy and prevent heat stress, check out NIOSH Recommendations.
First Aid
It is important to separate unaffected areas of the home from the areas that have been flooded or disturbed to prevent spreading germs or contaminants. This video shows how to set up a cleanup area and how to create a barrier between rooms that you are cleaning and unaffected areas to prevent contamination.
Things to Keep, Clean, or Remove
An important and difficult part of flood remediation is separating materials and items in your home that you can save from what you need to throw away to protect you and your family’s health. This video provides you with a guide on how to decide which items to keep and clean and which to throw away.
If you have precious items that you want to preserve, follow these guidelines from the Smithsonian Institute on Mold and Mildew.
Trash Disposal
Debris and trash guidelines may vary based on your location. Visit your local city or county waste management office’s website (FEMA Emergency Management Agencies) to see if there are specific trash requirements for your area. Use this video to understand the different sorting areas needed to make sure trash is safely removed from your neighborhood.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in electric and hybrid vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, electric lawn mowers, and backup storage systems for solar panels. When flooded they should be removed from your home or garage in case of fires. Damaged batteries may feel hot, emit smoke, or make unusual noises but will not always show these signs. Flooded electric or hybrid vehicles should be pushed or towed and not turned on. They should be checked by a mechanic when possible before driving. Smaller flooded lithium batteries should not be placed in regular trash or recycling as they can cause fires in transportation or at landfills and recyclers. Visit EPA’s waste battery pages to determine what kind of battery you have and to find options for safe recycling or disposal. Use the National Fire Protection Association’s Flooded Electric or Hybrid Vehicle Bulletin for more information on your battery powered vehicle.
Family Information
- Children: Protect children after a flood.
- Be sure children are protected from chemicals and diseases in flood water. Behavior such as crawling or placing objects in their mouths can increase a child's risk of exposure and sickness.
- If possible, try to keep children away from cleanup work, and outdoors if they must be at the house. When they do enter the worksite, make sure they wear proper protective clothing to protect them from mold, lead, and asbestos.
- If your child has asthma, take extra precautions when they are around the cleanup site.
- Use these tips to protect your child after a flood.
Drinking Water and Food
Please check with your local drinking water utility or health department about water safety in your area, and to confirm whether you are under a boil water advisory.
- Boiling water information– To kill all major water-borne bacterial pathogens, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute. Boil 3 minutes at elevations above 5280 ft. (1 mile or 1.6 km).
- What do I do about water from household wells after a flood? Do not turn on the pump due to danger of electric shock. Do not drink or wash with water from the flooded well until it is tested and safe to use.
- More information on disinfecting drinking water