A one-hour downpour can put more water on a lot than the drains and grading were built to carry away. This checklist sets out what to check in the first hour, the first day and the week after a short, heavy storm, and what to change before the next one.
Key takeaways
- Check the lowest openings first: the garage threshold, the low door and the window well
- Walk the outside of the house while the water is still moving, and note where it runs
- Record the time the water started and the level it reached on a wall or door
- Check the ceilings and the attic after the storm, because a leak can show days later
- Clear the gutters and the downspouts before the next storm, and keep a note of what was found
- Call the 24/7 line if water is still coming in, and keep the photographs for the claim
In the first hour: safety and the lowest openings
Keep people away from moving water and electricity, move valuables up and check the lowest openings from a safe position. Do not walk into a garage with water on the floor if a cord or outlet is in it.
The garage threshold, the low door and the window well are the first places water enters. Check them from the doorway, and note the depth of the water against a door frame or a wall.
If water is still rising and reaching the outlets, leave the area and call. Do not wade to the panel, and do not switch circuits in a room with water on the floor.
While the water is moving: walk the outside
Walk the outside of the house with a torch, and note where the water runs, pools and enters. The path tells the crew and the contractor where the grade and the gutters need attention.
Look at the downspouts, which often empty against the wall and send the water to the same corner. Check the grade on each side of the house and the place where water pools against the foundation.
Photograph the path and the pooling with the date. A short note of each place beside the photograph makes a useful list for the next storm.
In the first day: photographs, the record and the readings
Photograph the water line in each room, the entry points and the damage. Record the times the water started and stopped, and the level it reached. The record is the start of the claim file.
Write the times on paper if you can. A phone can be damaged by the water, and the note is the first fact the insurer will ask for.
Call the restoration line if the water has reached the flooring, the walls or any electrical equipment. The readings start the drying record.
In the week after: check the ceilings and the crawl space
A storm can leave water in the ground and in the walls for days. Check the ceilings, the lower walls and the crawl space or slab edge each day for a week, and note any new mark.
A stain on a ceiling can appear days after the storm, because the water takes time to travel through the roof. A damp line on a lower wall can grow as the ground keeps releasing water.
Keep the notes with the photographs. A new mark beside an old one is the sign the water path is still active.
Before the next storm: the changes that matter
Clear and extend the downspouts, fix the grade where water pools, seal the garage threshold and cover or drain the window wells. A qualified contractor can advise on drainage for the lot.
Downspouts that discharge at least a few feet from the foundation keep the water from collecting at the wall. Regrading the lot is the most effective fix, and it is the one most often forgotten after the drying.
Keep a short list of the places that took water. The list is the best guide for a contractor and for the next storm.
What to keep in the emergency file
A torch, buckets, towels, the shut-off instructions, the insurer's details and the 24/7 number, kept where they can be reached in the dark. Add a current photograph of each room so the baseline is on record.
Review the file each season. Update the insurer's details and the list of valuables, and remove anything out of date. A file that is current is the one that gets used in a real emergency.
Keep copies of the policy declarations and the claim contact with the file. Those are the first things needed after a storm.
Setting up a home emergency file before the next storm
A short file kept in one place makes the first hour of a loss much easier. It holds the shut-off instructions, the insurer's details, the policy number and the 24/7 line, along with a list of valuables in each room.
Keep the file somewhere you can reach it in the dark, such as a drawer near the back door or a shelf in the utility room. Add a current photograph of each room, so the baseline is on record before any loss happens.
Review the file each season. Update the insurer's details, the policy number and the valuables, and remove anything out of date. A file that is current is the one that gets used in a real emergency.
Common mistakes that make storm losses worse
The most common are waiting too long to act, closing up a wet room and trusting a dry-looking surface. Each one adds drying time and often adds the cost of material that could have been saved.
Waiting until the next morning to start drying is the most common mistake. Water that has soaked a subfloor or a wall keeps working into the materials, and every hour adds risk. A short call the same night is much better than a long wait.
Closing a room while it is still damp traps moisture in the walls and floor. Keep the room open until the readings are at standard, and only then close it up.
Talking with neighbours after a storm
Neighbours on the same street often saw the same water. Comparing the water lines and the times helps everyone plan the next storm, and a shared list of facts is stronger than separate accounts.
Keep the conversation factual. Say when the water arrived, where it came in and what was damaged, and avoid guessing at the cause unless the city has said what it was.
A shared list is useful to the county, the insurers and any later repair. Note the names and the dates on the list, so it can be checked later.
Frequently asked questions
Should a checklist replace a professional inspection?
No. It catches the common problems. A contractor or plumber should look at any recurring problem, such as a garage that fills after every storm.
How often should I check the gutters?
Before each season and after any storm with heavy wind or rain. A clogged gutter can overflow in a single storm.
Should I buy a sump pump?
Only if the house has a sump or a low point where a pump can discharge. A pump with a dead battery or a blocked outlet does not help.
Who should I tell after a storm?
Your insurer, in writing, and the crew if you need a drying. Keep copies of everything you send.
How do I know if a storm has damaged the house?
Look for new stains, soft boards, damp at the base of walls and any new smell. Photograph what you find and call if anything is still wet.
Is storm water safe to walk through?
No. It can carry debris and hide holes, and it can be contaminated. Keep clear and let the crew check the floor first.
How do I check the threshold height after a storm?
Measure the water line on the door frame or the wall beside the threshold, and photograph the measure. Keep the note with the time.
Should I photograph the garage floor?
Yes, from a dry position, with the water line and the entry visible. The photograph is the first record of the path.
What if the storm comes again the same day?
Move valuables again, keep clear of the water and call. The record of the first storm should be kept separate from the second.
Does this guide replace the advice of a licensed professional?
No. It sets out the general pattern and the questions to ask. The licensed trade or the attending company gives the advice for a specific house.
Who should I call first?
Call the 24/7 line if water is still coming in. For a recorded question about the work, ask the company that attends in writing.
Sources
- National Weather Service, Memphis office
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold and moisture guidance
- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
This guide is general information for Shelby County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.