Flooding en español

FloodSmart.gov

Homeowner's insurance doesn't cover floods. At FloodSmart.gov, you can:

learn about the national flood insurance program
determine your flood risk
if you believe you need insurance, find an agent who serves your area
learn what to do before, during, and after a flood.

Report hazardous containers in Missouri floods. EPA, FEMA, and Missouri Department of Natural Resources will collect orphaned hazardous containers such as fuel or propane tanks. Call 573-634-2436 to report a container. Read more.

Drinking Water and Food
Flooding and Mold
For Water and Wastewater Facilities
Septic Systems

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger and need emergency help. State and local response agencies are the primary responders for people who are concerned about or were affected by flooding. This page lists general information to help people in flooded areas recover and reduce risks caused by a flood. Find your state emergency office or agency from fema.gov.

ALERT: Generator exhaust is toxic. Always put generators outside. Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas. Carbon monoxide (CO) is deadly, can build up quickly, and linger for hours. More information

Never attempt to drive a vehicle through flood water, no matter how shallow it appears and no matter how well you know the road. Attempting to drive through flood water is a leading cause of flood-related injury and death.

Listen to EPA safety messages about flooding and cleanup precautions.

Drinking Water and Food

Flood Water Precautions

EPA cautions the public and all responders about the potential hazards of flood waters.

Every effort should be made to limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous substances.

Boiling water information To kill all major water-borne bacterial pathogens, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Boil 3 minutes at elevations above 5280 ft (1 mile or 1.6 km).
Make sure older adults have enough water to drink. Dehydration can be life threatening to an elderly person. More info...
What to do about water from household wells after a flood . Do not turn on the pump - danger of electric shock. Do not drink or wash with water from the flooded well.
General info about household wells.
Keeping food safe during flooding and power outages. Don't test the safety of possibly spoiled food by tasting it! (usda.gov)

Flooding and Mold

Flood cleanup: dealing with mold: The key to mold control is moisture control. After the flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours.
Safely cleaning a flood-damaged home from cdc.gov and Repair your flooded home from redcross.org
Mold cleanup in schools and commercial buildings. information for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.
General - Mold, moisture, and your home

For Water and Wastewater Facilities

Suggested post-hurricane (or flooding) activities to help facilities recover from severe weather conditions.

Septic Systems

What do I do with my home septic system after a flood? Do not drink your well water until it is tested. Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. If you have a home-based or small business and your septic system has received chemicals, take extra precautions to prevent contact with water or inhaling fumes. Proper clean-up depends on the kinds of chemicals in the wastewater. More information about your septic system.

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