Flooding
Major floods in Wisconsin tend to occur either in spring when melting snow adds to normal runoff or in summer or early fall after intense rainfalls. Flooding can occur after a slow build-up of water causes a river or stream to overflow its banks or it can occur very rapidly with little notice. Floods can cause loss of life and severe damage to homes, buildings, crops, and roads. Owners of homes in flood prone areas should purchase flood insurance protection for their homes through an insurance agent. Buying flood insurance to cover the value of a building and its contents will not only provide greater peace of mind, but will also speed recovery if a flood occurs. You can call 1-888-FLOOD29 (1-888-356-6329) to learn more about flood insurance. If your home is damaged during a flood, you need to be concerned with the structural integrity of the home, electrical safety, food safety, removal and prevention of mold and mildew, and
removal and replacement of your home's damaged contents. You should contact your insurance agent to discuss claims and listen to local media outlets for information about assistance the federal or state government or other organizations may be offering.
removal and replacement of your home's damaged contents. You should contact your insurance agent to discuss claims and listen to local media outlets for information about assistance the federal or state government or other organizations may be offering.
Basic Safety Tips for Clean-Up
- Always wear waterproof gloves and boots while cleaning a flood-damaged house.
- Never turn on a wet electric appliance. Be careful before using any electrical appliance in a flood-damaged house.
- Throw out fresh or frozen food that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Thoroughly disinfect food contact sources, such as dishes, countertops, refrigerators, and pantry shelves.
- Remove wall-to-wall carpet and padding that has been saturated with floodwater.
Other Resources
- Ready Wisconsin on Flooding
- The Red Cross: How to Prepare for a Flood provides further information about flood safety, supplies, insurance, and cleanup
- A multi-page booklet and poster (in Spanish and English) are available online from the EPA that gives simple instructions for safely cleaning your home after a flood
- The Red Cross: Returning to Your Home (PDF) also provides further basic information flood cleanup
- For much more detailed information about how to clean, disinfect and repair your flooded home, the American Red Cross and FEMA have prepared a 56-page booklet Repairing Your Flooded Home (in Spanish (PDF) and English (PDF))
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Flood Hazards and Recovery
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Flood Clean-up Instructions and Potential Hazards
- UW-Extension recommendations on the Safety of Produce from flooded gardens (PDF)