When heavy rain floods a basement, first keep people safe: stay out of standing water near electrical equipment, shut off power only from a dry panel, and report any heating-oil tank leak to Connecticut DEEP. Water from outside is floodwater. Photograph it, start removal, and call for drying. Drying should begin within the EPA's 24 to 48 hour window.
Key takeaways
- Do not enter standing water near the panel, the furnace or any electrical equipment.
- A heating-oil tank in a flooded basement is reported to Connecticut DEEP.
- Water that came in from outside after heavy rain is generally treated as flood by insurers.
- EPA guidance sets 24 to 48 hours as the drying window for wet materials.
What is the first thing to do in a flooded basement?
Safety comes first. Keep out of standing water near electrical equipment, and shut power off at the panel only if the panel is dry and you can reach it safely.
Do not wade into a basement where the water is above the outlets or near the furnace. If the panel is under water, call the utility or an electrician rather than going near it.
Move what can be lifted out of the water, and photograph the water line on each wall before anything is moved.
What about a heating-oil tank in the basement?
Residential heating-oil tanks can be in a basement. DEEP asks that any tank or piping leak be reported to its Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division, and this should be done before drying begins.
Tell the technician about the tank before anyone enters the room. Keep people away from the tank and its lines until the oil situation is known.
DEEP's guidance says homeowner policies must include funds for fuel oil release clean-up, though exceptions may exist. Read the policy for that cover.
How does drying begin after a storm?
Removal of standing water comes first, then the walls and floors are opened where the water reached. Drying runs against moisture readings on the framing, not a set number of days.
EPA guidance says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Porous materials that stay wet longer than 48 hours are generally best removed and replaced.
Hidden spaces such as wall cavities and crawl spaces are the common places drying is missed, so the technician checks them, not only the visible floor.
Frequently asked questions
Is water from a heavy rain in my basement covered by my policy?
Water that comes in from outside is generally treated as flood, and homeowners policies generally leave flood out. Flood cover comes through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy.
Does the National Weather Service warn about flooding here?
Yes. The National Weather Service issues coastal flood statements for southern Fairfield County that warn of roads and basements near the water.
When should I call for help?
Call as soon as the water is found, and before any wet material is removed. Calls are answered 24/7 on (833) 490-5225, and the technician explains the estimate on site before work starts.
Sources
- National Weather Service, coastal flood products for Fairfield County
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, residential heating oil tanks
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, guidance on mold and moisture
This guide is general information for Fairfield County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.