After excessive flood waters throughout Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota, the clean-up begins.  But where do you start?  Thanks to FEMA resources here are some guidelines to keep in mind when doing clean-up.

Where to begin

Claiming lost items

When it is safe to return home, FEMA says residents should report their lost items as soon as possible to their agent or insurance company. The FEMA organization says residents who are unsure how to contact their agent or insurance company can call FEMA’s Mapping and Insurance exchange number at 877-336-2627.

FEMA officials urge residents to have their policy declarations page on hand as they talk to their agents or insurance companies. An insurance adjuster will contact homeowners to schedule an in-person or remote inspection within a few days of filing a lost item claim.

Preparing for Inspections

FEMA says an insurance adjuster will document the following types of damages to prepare a claim estimate:

• Personal Property Damages
• Structure Damages
• Floodwater levels

FEMA says it is helpful to organize information room by room which includes:

• Photograph and video inside and outside of your home before anything is discarded
• Provide the make, model and serial number of large household appliances such as washers, and dryers, as well as kitchen appliances, televisions and computers.
• Collect samples of building items (flooring, wallpaper, drapes and carpet)

For more information about how residents can work with their insurance adjuster, visit FEMA’s website.

Cleaning and disinfecting personal possessions

According to Iowa Health and Human Services, there are five things to keep in mind for cleaning and disinfecting items after a flood:

• Items that are dented, splintered, torn or broken should be thrown away and replaced.

When cleaning small items soaked by floodwaters such as clothing, bedding and stuffed animals, follow these instructions:

• Before washing the items in the washing machine, soak them in cold water to remove mud and filth. Do not pre-soak items in the washer because it could cause damage to the machine.
• Curtains, blankets, accent rugs and other large items may be hung from a clothesline and sprayed with water from a hose to remove the mud.
• Use hot water and detergent to wash items in the washing machine. Do not overload the machine.
• Add a cup of liquid chlorine bleach to wash the water before adding clothes or other items then use a half cup of bleach for a front-loading washer.
• Tumble dry items in the dryer or hang damp items in the sun.
• Large items that can absorb water such as patio upholstered furniture, mattresses wall-to-wall carpeting, must be thrown away.
• Solid items, like vinyl flooring, concrete and tile can be cleaned with a mild household detergent solution.
• Prepare a bleach solution while following the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for disinfecting.
• Put small items into a bleach and water solution for one minute. Then, remove the items from the solution and allow to air dry.
• Spray the bleach and water solution until wet and allow to air dry.
• Use a bleach water-damp cloth to completely wipe the items down and allow them to air dry.

The Basement Cleanup process

Residents should shovel out mud and debris while it is still moist and damp

Hose down walls and remove as much silt as possible before it has a chance to dry.

Floors and walls must be sanitized, specifically if sewage is found in the basement.

Residents can use a mild bleach/water solution to scrub walls and floors as the manufacturer’s instructions lay out. Then allow everything to dry out completely.

Steps to take before cleaning a flooded basement

Turn off the electricity, preferably at a meter. If residents are unsuccessful of turning electricity off themselves then call a member of the local utility company to disconnect it.

Turn off all of the gas valves

Inspect outside cellar walls for a possible cave-in, structural damage, or other hazards.

Open doors and windows or use blowers and fans to force circulated fresh air into the basement. FEMA says gas may be inside your home.

As residents begin to clean flooded basements, wear rubber gloves while handling items affected by floodwater.

Steps to take before pumping water out of a flooded basement

Use a gas-powered pump instead of an electric-powered pump. Always place the pumps outside in a ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

More damage can be done by pumping water from the basement too soon or too quickly rather than letting the basement remain flooded. This is because water in the basement helps stabilize the walls against extra pressure from outside water-filled soil. Water that is pumped out too soon can cause walls to cave in.

To prevent structural damage, pump water from the basement in stages. Experts advise residents to remove about a third of water to avoid structure damage or the collapse of basement walls due to unequal pressure.

How to handle mold after a flooding disaster

According to the Iowa Health and Human Services, mold is considered to be a part of nature. For mold to grow inside, water and humidity must be present. According to Health and Human Services, Mold can be detected by sight and smell.

Mold can be caused by moisture or water present in the home. Residents must solve the moisture and water problem first before addressing the mold growth problem.

When it comes to what to look for when searching for mold in the home; residents must look to areas where water issues have the opportunity to take place.

It is not recommended for residents to test for mold themselves for several reasons:

• Since mold is a natural part of the outdoors, test results can be inconclusive.
• It is unlikely for even mold professionals to get reliable test results.
• No regulatory guidelines are known when it comes to comparing test results for mold.

Mold can also cause an allergic reaction for people. For those who haven’t experienced an allergic reaction; it is likely that residents will experience health problems from exposure.

Allergic reactions include:

• Itchy or watery eyes
• Sinus drainage
• Respiratory discomfort
• Cough

How to clean up an area covered in mold

Materials that are solid and will not absorb water can be cleaned using a mild household detergent. Such items include:

• Plastic toys
• Patio furniture
• Tub surrounds
• Paneling
• Concrete or tile flooring

Items that will absorb water need to be removed or discarded if mold is present. These items include:

• Stuffed animals
• Books
• Bedding
• Furniture
• Carpeting
• Clothing
• Drywall

Even though it is not necessary to use bleach water to clean an area affected by mold; residents can use the following guidelines if they choose to disinfect an area or remove moldy stains

• Clean the surface area first.
• Provide circulated airflow with fans, windows and doors.
• Prepare the bleach solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the area wet for 15 minutes before wiping it down.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
• Rinse the affected area with clean water.