What to Do Immediately After a Home Flood
So You’ve Got a Flooded Home. Now What?
If you’ve lived in Idaho, Wyoming, or Northern Utah for a while, you know we deal with more than just beautiful mountains and wide-open skies. We get our fair share of headaches too—like spring runoff flooding basements in Idaho Falls, summer storms soaking homes in Pocatello, frozen pipes bursting in the middle of winter, and the seasonal mess in the Teton Counties (Idaho & Wyoming) after snowmelt.
And when water gets into your house, you don’t exactly have time to sit around googling “what now?”
So let’s keep it real: if you’re staring at a flooded living room right now (or you want to be prepared for when it happens), here’s a down-to-earth guide on what to do next — so you can protect your home, your family, and your sanity.
First Things First: Safety
I know the instinct is to rush in, but before you do anything, take safety seriously:
Electrical hazards are no joke. If there’s any chance water has reached outlets or wires, do not enter. Turn off your power at the breaker—from a dry location. If you can’t do it safely, call for help.
Smell gas? Leave immediately. Floods can damage gas lines, and leaks are extremely dangerous. Call the gas company right away.
Wear boots and gloves. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals, and other harmful contaminants. Don’t let it touch your skin.
If the scene feels unsafe or overwhelming, do not go in. No belonging is worth risking your health.
Don’t Remove the Water Yet — Start with Documentation
This part is absolutely critical.
Take photos and videos of everything. Start before you move anything, toss anything, or try to clean up.
Use a tape measure to record how deep the water is in different rooms. Snap photos of the measurements — this will be essential for your insurance claim.
Keep track of the time when you begin removing items or the water recedes.
Make a list of damaged items — especially high-value belongings.
Save all receipts for anything you buy in the process (trash bags, gloves, etc.).
Bottom line? Document, document, document. Photos, photos, photos.
Watch Out for Hidden Dangers
Even if the water looks shallow or clear, don’t assume it's safe.
Water you see is only half the problem. The real danger is what you can’t see — water trapped behind walls, under floors, and inside insulation. Left untreated, this hidden moisture leads to mold, which can affect your home’s structure and your health.
That’s why professional help matters — because household fans and open windows won’t dry everything.
When to Call the Pros
Let’s be honest: flood cleanup is physically and emotionally exhausting — and when it’s not handled correctly, the long-term damage can be devastating.
That’s where we come in. At 208 Flood, Fire & Cleaning, we handle:
🚰 Water Damage Restoration – stopping the damage before it spreads.
🛠️ Emergency Mitigation – securing your home and minimizing losses.
🧼 Carpet Cleaning – because soaked carpets grow bacteria fast.
🔥 Fire & Smoke Cleanup – especially critical in wildfire-prone areas.
🏗️ Post-Construction Cleanup – dust, debris, and disaster residue gone.
🌀 Dryer Vent Cleaning – especially important if your laundry area was flooded.
We’re here to do it right — safely, thoroughly, and fast.
Local Flood Realities: What We See in Our Area
Flooding hits differently depending on where you are:
Pocatello & Blackfoot: Sudden summer downpours overwhelm storm drains fast.
Idaho Falls: Snake River runoff in spring causes consistent issues.
Teton Counties (Idaho & Wyoming): Melting snow turns basements into ponds.
Northern Utah: Wintertime pipe bursts from deep freezes are a major cause of water damage.
Wherever you are in the region, 208 Flood, Fire & Cleaning has crews nearby who know the terrain, the weather, and the common risks — because we live here too.
Final Reminders (Quick and Clear)
✔️ Safety first. If there’s risk of electrical or gas hazards, get out.
✔️ Don’t rush in. Start with photos, videos, measurements, and time stamps.
✔️ Don’t try to dry it all yourself. You can’t see or reach all the water.
✔️ Hidden water = mold. Secondary damage can ruin your home and affect your health.
✔️ Call for help. We’re ready when you need us.
Ready for Help?
We know how overwhelming this all feels. You don’t have to do it alone.
📞 Call Zach at 208-690-1949
📧 Email: [email protected]
📍 Serving Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, & Teton Counties (ID & WY).
We’ll help you recover fast — and safely — so you can breathe again.
