Flood Damage Cleanup in Owasso, OK

Is floodwater safe to clean up yourself?

No. Floodwater from outside can carry sewage, bacteria, chemicals and debris, and it often hides electrical hazards. Wear boots and gloves if you have to walk through it, keep children and pets away, and leave the cleanup of soaked materials to people with protective equipment.

What should you do when outside water gets into your home?

Get everyone safe, cut the power to wet areas if it's safe to reach the panel, and record the damage. Don't try to drive or walk through moving water outside.

Stay safe. Never walk or drive through moving floodwater. If water is rising fast, move to higher ground.

Cut the power to flooded rooms only if the breaker panel is dry and you aren't standing in water.

Block more water with towels or sandbags at doors only if it's safe to do so.

Lift what you can off the floor: electronics, documents, medicine, keepsakes.

Photograph and video the water level and all the damage before anything is moved.

Call us once the water outside has stopped rising.

Why does flooding happen in Owasso?

Owasso is mostly flat, so heavy rain has nowhere fast to go. As new neighborhoods replace open land, roofs and streets send more runoff into creeks and storm drains, and older drainage can back up during a downpour. Low areas near Bird Creek are in the floodplain, and during the May 2019 floods Owasso police encouraged people living there to leave their homes.

Most flooding inside Owasso homes comes in one of these ways:

• Sheet flow: rain running across yards and driveways and in under garage and patio doors
• Overwhelmed storm drains: water backing up into streets and low lots
• Creek flooding: Bird Creek and smaller creeks rising into nearby low areas
• Grading problems: soil sloping toward the house instead of away from it

What has to be thrown away after a flood?

Anything porous that soaked up outside floodwater usually has to go, because it can't be fully cleaned. Hard, non-porous items can usually be cleaned and disinfected.

How do we clean up flood damage?

Remove standing water with pumps and extractors.

Remove soaked materials: carpet, pad, and drywall cut out above the water line.

Clean and disinfect floors, framing and other hard surfaces.

Dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers, checking readings until it's dry.

Document the water line, the damage and every step for your claim.

Learn more: Emergency water removal

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

Standard homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover outside water that rises and enters at ground level. That's what flood insurance is for, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program, and it has a waiting period before coverage starts. Water from a storm that broke the roof or windows is handled differently. Check your policy.

Read more: Water damage insurance claims in Owasso

How can you protect your home before the next flood?

Keep gutters and downspouts clear and pointing away from the house.

Make sure soil slopes away from the foundation.

Keep sandbags or water barriers ready for doors that take on water.

Store valuables and important papers off the floor.

Check your flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask your agent about flood insurance.

Related help

Emergency water removal

getting standing water out fast

Sewage backup cleanup

when heavy rain backs up the sewer line

Frequently asked questions

Can flooded carpet be saved?

Carpet soaked by outside floodwater is usually thrown away, along with the pad, because floodwater carries bacteria that can't be fully cleaned out. Carpet wet by clean water from a pipe or appliance can often be dried and kept if it's handled quickly.

Does drywall have to be removed after a flood?

Drywall that soaked up outside floodwater is usually cut out above the water line, along with the insulation behind it. That lets the framing dry and be disinfected. Drywall that stayed dry above the water line can stay in place.

How do I know if my house is in a flood zone?

Search your address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, which shows flood zones across the country, including around Bird Creek. Your insurance agent or the city can also tell you whether your property is in a mapped floodplain.

My apartment flooded. Who is responsible?

In most rentals, the landlord handles the building, including flooring and drywall, while renters insurance covers your own belongings. Lease terms vary. Landlords and property managers can read about our rental property water damage help.

Can mold grow after a flood?

Yes. Floodwater leaves materials wet and contaminated, and mold can start growing if they aren't removed or dried quickly, especially in warm weather. Removing soaked materials and drying the structure is the best way to prevent it.

Can I clean my belongings after a flood?

Hard items like dishes, metal and glass can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Soft items that soaked up floodwater, like mattresses, pillows and stuffed furniture, usually can't be made safe. Photograph everything before throwing it away for your insurance claim.

Floodwater in your Owasso home? Call now.

Floodwater keeps soaking into drywall and floors after the rain stops. Call us once the water outside has stopped rising.

Serving Owasso, Collinsville, Claremore, Catoosa and nearby areas