Things to always throw out:
Food, cosmetics, medical supplies, stuffed animals, baby toys.
Things to usually
throw out:
Mattresses, pillows, foam rubber, large carpets, carpet padding, upholstered couches and chairs, books, paper products.
Safety precautions
Turn off a building's electrical system if damage is suspected (even if the power is out).
Turn off the gas - gas appliances or lines may have moved or broken, causing a leak.
Removing the water
Drain your basement carefully. If you drain it too quickly, pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside, which may cause wall and floor damage.
Steps to drain your basement:
Don't go into a basement with standing water unless you're sure the power is off.
Pump water from the basement after floodwater is no longer on top of the ground outside. Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors.
Pump the water level down 2 or 3 feet. Mark the level and wait overnight. Check the water level the next day. If it went up, it's still too early to drain the basement. If there's no change, pump it down another 2 to 3 feet, wait overnight to make sure it's still down, and continue each day until the water is gone.
Health
Wash your hands often during the day.
Protect any cuts or abrasions with waterproof gloves or dressings.
Establish a plan to get medical help in an emergency.
Use extreme caution when handling unknown substances.
Wear watertight boots, gloves, long pants, safety glasses. Do not wear sneakers.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's "Repairing Your Flooded Home" is available online. It provides information on how to check for gas and water leaks, and clean up appliances, furniture and other belongings.
