If your basement floods, its important to act quickly to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of your home and family. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Ensure safety: Call your power company, an electrician, or a professional flood cleanup company if you have a large amount of standing water in your basement. You may have to disconnect the service before walking into the water. Don’t touch anything electrical.

2. Remove water: Get water out as soon as possible. A few inches of standing water can usually be removed with a wet vac. If you don’t have a wet vac, buy, borrow, or rent one. Major water damage may need a professional such as ServPro or ServiceMaster. If your damage is minor, you can use towels to wipe the water up, but they should immediately be washed and dried to prevent mold from growing.

3. Dry it out: Give the basement several days of drying time before taking on any major basement flooding repair. Open windows and doors to get as much ventilation as possible. Put on rubber gloves and check for any wet insulation, drywall, or carpeting that needs to be removed. Use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out the space.

4. Photograph the aftermath: Whether you are planning to file an insurance claim or not, quickly get out your phone and take photos and video of the flooded area, both inside and outside, before you start cleaning up. According to FEMA, if you do file a claim, this information could help the adjuster assess your payment.

5. Clean up: Dry and clean up any salvageable items. Be careful with any appliances stored in your basement (such as a washing machine and dryer) and make sure theyre dried. Scrub flooring and walls with a solution of bleach and water to kill any mold or mildew that may have started to grow.

6. Prevent future flooding: Once youve cleaned up the mess, its important to take steps to prevent future flooding. Check your gutters and downspouts to make sure theyre funneling water at least 6 feet away from your foundation. Make sure your sump pump is working properly and consider installing a battery backup system in case of power outages. Consider waterproofing your basement to prevent future flooding.

Remember, if the damage is extensive or youre not sure what to do, its always best to call in a professional.