Flood Response Checklist

Save everything throughout this process: photos, videos, receipts, estimates, emails, claim numbers, reports, and notes from phone calls. You may not know yet what insurance or disaster assistance will cover.

RIGHT NOW

Make sure the house is safe to enter. Do not enter with active flooding, electrical hazards, or possible structural damage.
Find temporary housing for at least the next several days. Keep all hotel/rental receipts.
Report the damage to Indiana 211: call 211 or 866-211-9966. This helps officials document the extent of the disaster.
Start a flood recovery folder for insurance information, receipts, photos, contractors, appointments, estimates, and disaster assistance information.
Save every receipt starting now—including lodging, meals, clothing, toiletries, cleanup supplies, storage, transportation, etc.

FIRST 24 HOURS

1. File Insurance Claims

Call the flood insurance carrier and open a claim.
Call the homeowners insurance carrier as well. Ask whether any personal property, temporary housing/Additional Living Expenses, debris removal, or related losses are covered.
Get claim numbers and adjuster contact information.
Ask what can be removed or cleaned before the adjuster sees the property.
Ask whether emergency water mitigation is covered and whether preauthorization is required.
Ask whether they have preferred restoration companies or if you can choose your own.
Schedule adjuster inspections as soon as possible.

Do not wait for FEMA before starting insurance claims or emergency mitigation.

2. Document EVERYTHING Before Cleanup

Once it is safe to enter:

Take a continuous video walkthrough of the entire house.
Take wide and close-up photos of every affected room, the exterior, foundation, appliances, furniture and belongings.
Mark and photograph the highest water line next to a tape measure.
Photograph model/serial numbers of damaged appliances and mechanical equipment.
Photograph belongings before throwing anything away.
Start a contents inventory with the item, approximate age/value and replacement cost.

Take more pictures than you think you'll need.

WITHIN 24–48 HOURS

3. Hire a Water-Damage Restoration Company

Floodwater needs to be addressed quickly because mold can begin developing within roughly 24–48 hours.

Contact several licensed/insured water-damage restoration companies immediately.
Tell them this was river floodwater, which can contain sewage, chemicals and other contaminants.
Look for a company that handles water extraction, contaminated-water cleanup, removal of wet materials, drying/dehumidification, moisture testing and mold prevention.
Get a written scope/estimate before major demolition whenever possible.
Verify insurance/credentials and avoid large upfront cash payments.
Have the company provide photos, moisture readings and a written mitigation report for insurance.

The immediate goal is to get the house clean, safe and completely dry—not to make rebuilding decisions yet.

4. Assess Structural Damage

Complete insurance adjuster inspections.
If there is foundation movement, major cracking, shifted walls or other structural concerns, have a structural engineer or qualified building professional evaluate the house before reconstruction.

DAYS 2–7

5. Clean, Dry & Protect the Property

With professional guidance:

Extract remaining water.
Remove contaminated/wet carpet, drywall, insulation and other unsalvageable porous materials.
Clean and disinfect flood-exposed areas.
Use professional dehumidifiers/air movers and continue moisture testing until the structure is dry.
Move salvageable belongings somewhere clean and dry.
Arrange temporary storage if needed.
Continue photographing and inventorying anything discarded.

Do not rebuild just because surfaces look dry. Moisture can remain inside walls, subfloors and framing.

6. Figure Out Longer-Term Housing

Once you understand the extent of the damage, determine whether temporary housing will be needed for weeks or months.
Check insurance reimbursement requirements/limits before signing a longer lease.
Continue saving all additional living expense receipts.

DURING THE FIRST WEEK

7. Monitor Disaster Assistance

Monitor Marion County, Indy.gov, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and FEMA announcements.
Keep your Indiana 211 damage report information.
Apply promptly for any local or state assistance that becomes available.
If a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration authorizing FEMA Individual Assistance is issued for Marion County, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Reporting damage to 211 does not automatically register you for FEMA assistance.

WEEK 1–2

8. Determine the Repair & Rebuilding Plan

Once the house is clean and dry:

Get detailed reconstruction estimates.
Compare contractor estimates with the insurance adjuster's estimate before accepting a final settlement.
Determine which permits and inspections will be required.
Ask Indianapolis/Marion County whether the property requires a substantial-damage determination or has additional floodplain rebuilding requirements.
If applicable, determine whether utilities need to be relocated/elevated or flood-resistant materials are required.

Don't rush into reconstruction until insurance, permits and floodplain requirements are understood.

BEFORE REBUILDING

Confirm final moisture readings show the structure is dry.
Resolve contamination or mold issues.
Complete necessary structural, electrical, HVAC and plumbing inspections.
Obtain required permits and confirm floodplain requirements.
Photograph exposed framing, walls and subfloors before they are covered.

THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS

Keep one master flood folder with:

Insurance policies, claims and adjuster information
Photos/videos and contents inventory
Contractor estimates, invoices and restoration reports
Moisture readings and inspection/engineering reports
Housing, meal, clothing, transportation, cleanup and storage receipts
Insurance payments and FEMA/state/local correspondence
Notes from important phone calls

QUICK RESOURCE LIST

Local

Indiana

Federal / FEMA