What to do if your house has been flooded- Contacts and Resources

There are three stages for any flood event: preparation, flooding, and cleanup. While it is too late to prepare, we can begin preparing for the cleanup after the flooding is over.

After the waters have receded and it is safe to return to your homes, please remember that what is left behind will not be sanitary or safe. Flood waters contain petroleum, pesticides, and fecal matter just to name a few of the contaminates we face after flooding. You will need to dispose of everything that has been touched by flood waters or be able to sanitize it before reuse.

Furniture, appliances, carpet, toys, and clothes will need to be disposed of. Guidance on how when to safely dispose of your property will be provided as we move closer to the end of this event.

Walls will need to be opened at least two (2) feet above flood levels and remove all dry wall and insulation. Use fans to help circulate the air and reduce moisture within the walls. Do not replace insulation or drywall until you are sure the moisture in the studs is below 12%. Failure to respect this moisture level within the walls could result in a mold buildup after rebuilding.

Keepsakes and family treasures should be cleaned with a bleach solution if possible. Pictures can be professionally restored to avoid exposure to mold and toxins.

As we move forward through this event, the City will provide information on how and when you can safely dispose of contaminated affects. The Building Official will visit structures affected by the flood to ensure they are safe to return to and provide guidance on building cleanup. If you are not sure if you home or business is safe reenter, call Community Development at 360.345.2229 and we will come by.

If we come by and you are not there, you may see a red, yellow, or green tag on your building when you return. Green means it is safe, yellow means you can only enter for cleanup during daylight hours, and red means you may have structural damage and the building is not safe to enter. For more information, please call Community Development at 360.345.2229 or visit us at 1321 S. Market Blvd, Chehalis. For more information, please go to the City’s website at https://www.ci.chehalis.wa.us/building/flood-information-and-elevation-c... . This page contains information on what to do after the flood and resources for additional information.