If your basement floods from rain, here are some steps you can take:

1. Put safety first: Before entering the basement, turn off the gas and electricity to keep yourself and your family safe. Rising floodwaters can extinguish pilot lights on water heaters and other appliances, allowing dangerous natural gas to build up, which could cause a fire or explosion. And electricity, when combined with floodwaters, poses a serious risk of electrical shock, which could be dangerous or even fatal.

2. Document the damage: Take photos and videos of the flooded area, both inside and outside, before you start cleaning up. This information could help the adjuster assess your payment if you file an insurance claim.

3. Move important items to a dry area: Remove important items, upholstered furniture, or items in boxes that are standing in water and bring them to a dry area.

4. Remove the 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.

5. Dry the area: Put on rubber gloves and check for mold. If you see a suspicious-looking spot, clean the area with bleach and warm water. Third-party contractors are trained in cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing from this type of damage. If needed, give them a call.

6. Call your insurance company: Basement floods aren’t always covered by a homeowners policy. While policies often cover water damage, such as from a broken pipe, floods from groundwater may not be covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy (and even those may not cover below-grade spaces) .

7. Prevent future floods: After heavy rain and/or flooding are over, try to figure out what caused the issue. Did a heavy storm flood your lawn and drain into the basement? Do you have cracks in your walls and floors? Consult a professional for repairs and waterproofing. Ensure cracks and crevices in your basement walls/floors are caulked and sealed. Ensure proper air circulation to avoid excess moisture.