When is it safe to go back?
Wait until officials say it is safe, and be careful about roads that may be washed out. Do not enter a flooded building until you know the electricity is off, and the structure is stable. Look for gas leaks, loose boards, snakes and other animals.
If the electrical panel or outlets were underwater, stay out and have a licensed electrician check them before power is restored.
Floodwater may have moved fuel tanks, propane cylinders and chemical containers. If you find any leaking or displaced, keep away and call your fire department or local emergency management office.
- Wait for official clearance
- Keep electricity off until inspected
- Watch for structural damage
- Beware of animals in debris
What are the health risks?
Floodwater can contain sewage, fuel, chemicals and bacteria. Wear waterproof boots, gloves and a mask, and wash well afterward. Cover cuts, and see a doctor about any wound that gets red, swollen or painful. The CDC has cleanup guidance for floods.
Keep children and pets away from the cleanup. Do not eat food that touched floodwater, and do not use well water until it has been tested.
- Wash hands before eating or drinking
- Change out of wet clothing and boots before going indoors
- Get a tetanus question answered by your doctor
How do you deal with wells and septic systems?
A flooded well may be contaminated. Do not drink from it, and ask your county health department how to disinfect and test the water. The EPA private wells page explains the steps in general terms.
Septic systems may be overloaded or damaged by flooding. Avoid using them until the ground drains and a professional says it is safe. The EPA septic page has information.
- Do not drink from a flooded well
- Get testing guidance from the county health department
- Avoid heavy water use until the drainfield dries
- Call a licensed professional to inspect
What can you save and what must go?
Dry out the house quickly, since mold can start within a day or two. Take wet carpets, soaked insulation, drywall and upholstered items outdoors. Hard surfaces can often be cleaned and disinfected, following health department guidance.
Food, medicine and cosmetics that touched floodwater should be thrown away. Your insurance adjuster may want to see damaged items first, so take photos and ask before you toss them.
Open windows and use fans when it is safe to do so, and let hard surfaces dry fully before painting or covering them. Ask a professional if you are unsure about structural wood.
- Photograph before throwing anything away
- Ask your insurer before discarding large items
What about land, fences and animals?
Check your fences, gates and pastures for debris, wire and chemicals. Floodwater can leave contaminated soil, silt or dead animals. Ask your extension office and your state agriculture department how to deal with feed, hay and crops that were flooded, and how to dispose of livestock losses.
Keep animals away from contaminated water and unsafe ground. Talk with your veterinarian.
Hay and stored grain that got wet are often unsafe to feed, and flooded gardens may have contaminated soil. Ask your extension office what applies to your crops.
How do you document losses and find help?
Take photos and video before cleanup, and make lists of damage with dates. Keep receipts. Contact your insurance agent, the Farm Service Agency and your county emergency management office. Federal and state help may be available, with deadlines, so ask FEMA through Ready.gov and your local office for current details.
Flood insurance is separate from standard policies in many cases. Ask your agent what you have.
Keep a record of your own work hours and any help you hire, since some assistance programs ask for it. Check on neighbors who may not be able to clean alone.
- Photos and video of everything
- Lists with dates and receipts
- Early contact with insurer and FSA
- Ask about disaster assistance
How do you cope with the stress?
Flood recovery can take months. Break the work into small steps, accept help and rest. Talk with others who have been through it. Watch your own mood.
If you feel hopeless or overwhelmed, call or text 988 in the US, or see your doctor.
- Share the cleanup with neighbors
- Take rest breaks every hour
Key takeaways
- Do not return until officials say it is safe, and keep electricity off until inspected.
- Wear protective gear, since floodwater carries germs and chemicals.
- Treat wells and septic systems as unsafe until tested and checked.
- Dry out fast, document everything and ask about disaster assistance.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.