💙 To Those Directly Affected by Flooding
If you have been evacuated, if your home has flooded, if you are sitting in a shelter or a hotel room wondering what comes next—we see you. We are here. And we love you.
We're physicians and preppers. We lecture to fellow physicians on disaster preparedness, and we want to offer guidance to those going through this crisis—because we've been there.
Because of what our family went through during Hurricane Helene—three homes flooded, our father's house with over three feet of water for days (he was never able to return)—we unfortunately have come to know flooding at a deep level, and its aftermath.
We know the shock. We know the grief. We know how your brain can't process what's happening.
So let us help you think through what to do right now.
First: Let Your Loved Ones Know You're Safe
Before anything else—let your family know where you are and that you are okay.
People are worried about you. Phone lines may be jammed, cell towers malfunctioning. Texts often get through better than calls.
- Send a quick text to your closest family members
- Post a brief update on social media if you're comfortable
- Designate one person to be your "communication hub" who can update others
This takes 2 minutes and will ease so much worry for the people who love you.
Do NOT Return Home Until Officials Say It's Safe
We know you want to see your home. We know the waiting is agony. But please wait until the authorities give the all-clear.
Floodwaters may still be rising. Roads and bridges may be structurally compromised. Downed power lines can electrify standing water.
When you're cleared to return, go during DAYLIGHT HOURS if possible.
When You Return: Safety First
Before You Go Inside, Look For:
❌ STRUCTURAL DAMAGE — Cracks in foundation, warped walls, sagging roof, anything unstable. If it looks compromised, DO NOT ENTER. Call a professional.
❌ DOWNED POWER LINES — Stay far away. Assume any downed line is live. Report it immediately.
❌ GAS LEAKS — If you smell gas or hear hissing, DO NOT ENTER. Do not flip any switches. Leave and call your gas company or 911 from a safe distance.
Once Inside:
⚡ Electricity
Do NOT touch any electrical equipment if you are standing in water or if equipment is wet. If you can safely reach your breaker box from a DRY location, turn off the main breaker. If not, CALL AN ELECTRICIAN. Do not turn power back on until a professional has inspected.
🔥 No Open Flames
No candles, no gas lanterns, no matches. Use battery-powered flashlights ONLY. There may be gas leaks you can't smell.
🐍 Watch for Animals
Floodwaters displace snakes, rodents, and wildlife. They may be in your home. Use a stick to move debris. Wear boots and gloves. (The smell can be visceral... be prepared.)
💧 Do Not Trust the Water
Do not drink tap water until officials confirm it's safe. Floodwater is contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and bacteria.
Document Everything — This Is Critical
Before you touch, move, or throw away ANYTHING:
📸 Take Photos AND Videos of Everything
Insurance companies often want STILL PHOTOS specifically, so take videos (you can pull stills from them) AND dedicated still photos of key damage areas.
Outside the Home:
- 📷 Water lines on exterior walls
- 📷 Damage to foundation, roof, siding
- 📷 Standing water levels
- 📷 Debris, mud lines, structural damage
Inside — Room by Room:
- 📷 Water lines on walls (measure the height if you can)
- 📷 Damage to floors, ceilings, walls
- 📷 Open EVERY closet and photograph inside
- 📷 Open EVERY drawer and photograph contents
- 📷 Open EVERY cabinet
- 📷 Don't forget the garage, attic, basement, storage areas
- 📷 Serial numbers and model numbers on appliances (close-up photos)
Personal Belongings:
- 📷 Damaged clothing, bedding, furniture
- 📷 Electronics, medical equipment, valuables
- 📷 Family photos, documents, keepsakes
Pro Tips
Keep SAMPLES of damaged materials when possible — pieces of carpet, flooring, curtains. These help prove damage.
Save ALL RECEIPTS for emergency expenses — hotel stays, food, supplies, emergency repairs.
Contact Your Insurance Immediately
If You Have Flood Insurance (NFIP or Private):
Call your insurance company or agent and report the loss. Get names, phone numbers, and case numbers, and document it all. KEEP TRACK. We're sorry but they screw up, so keep on top of this. Keep a running file.
📞 Don't Know Your Carrier?
NFIP Help Line: 1-800-427-4661
They can look up your policy and tell you who to contact.
Key Deadlines:
- Report your loss as soon as possible
- You must file a "Proof of Loss" within 60 DAYS of the flood (you do this online on the FEMA disaster website)
- Keep all documentation
If You Have Homeowner's Insurance:
Call them too—even though it doesn't cover flood damage, it may cover other damage (wind, fallen trees, etc.). You may have two separate claims. File both as necessary. And don't let them play games as to who is going to cover. (They will.)
Don't Forget Your Car
If your vehicle was flooded, contact your AUTO INSURANCE company. Comprehensive coverage typically covers flood damage to vehicles. Document the car the same way—photos, video, water lines visible inside.
Do NOT try to start a flooded car. It can cause additional engine damage and hurt your claim. Don't let them tell you your car is "fine." Keep track. Often you have later problems. Keep good notes. Push for a new vehicle/total loss.
Critical: Don't Get Taken Advantage Of
We saw so many people get taken advantage of during our floods. Please protect yourself:
❌ DO NOT ACCEPT AN INSURANCE PAYOUT RIGHT AWAY
Talk to a lawyer, your accountant, and possibly a PRIVATE ADJUSTER first.
Private adjusters work for YOU, not the insurance company. Their fees are set by law—usually around 10-15%. You may not need one, but do your research. They can sometimes recover significantly more than the insurance company's initial offer. But you may not need one. Don't let them convince you you do... do some research and talk to your insurance company.
❌ DON'T ASSUME "LOOKS OKAY" = IS OKAY
This is especially true for ELECTRONICS. Your AC turns on? So what—it may have problems later. Your appliances seem to work? They may fail in weeks or months.
Document EVERYTHING as damaged, even if it appears functional. Hidden damage is extremely common after flooding.
Immediate Damage Mitigation
This is important: Most insurers REQUIRE you to do immediate damage mitigation to prevent further damage.
This may mean:
- Stripping wet drywall
- Removing soaked carpets and materials
- Running fans and dehumidifiers
- Taking steps to prevent mold growth
⚠️ CALL YOUR INSURER FIRST and ask what they require before you start. Get it in writing if possible. You want to make sure you're doing what's required without jeopardizing your claim.
MOLD CAN START GROWING IN 24-48 HOURS. Act fast to dry things out—but document everything BEFORE you remove it.
If emergency repairs are absolutely necessary before the adjuster arrives, document everything first with photos/video and keep all receipts.
A Note on Patience
FEMA and NFIP are slow. But they do come through.
When we went through this, it took many months. It's frustrating. It's exhausting. But stay with the process.
If you have older family members going through this, HELP THEM. The process is almost entirely digital now and can be overwhelming for those not comfortable with technology. Fill out forms together. Make calls together. Don't let them fall through the cracks.
Protect Yourself During Cleanup
Flood cleanup is hazardous. This is not the time to be a hero.
🧤 Protective Gear Required
- Boots, long pants, long sleeves
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- N95 mask
- Assume floodwater is contaminated with sewage and chemicals
- Do NOT use generators inside—carbon monoxide is deadly. Generators must be outside, at least 20 feet from any building
- Rest often. Hydrate. Eat.
- If you have asthma, lung conditions, or immune suppression—do NOT enter buildings with visible mold. This is REAL mold... not the "I think I need a work excuse mold." 😊
Take Care of Your Heart, Too
We're going to say something that might be hard to hear:
This Is Trauma
Losing your home—or even just facing the possibility—is profound. Even if your house is still standing, even if the damage is "fixable," this is traumatic.
You may feel numb. Overwhelmed. Unable to make decisions. Guilty for grieving "stuff."
All of this is normal.
Your home is your heart. We know that. AND—your home can be rebuilt. You cannot. Your family is what matters most.
📞 Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990 (call or text, 24/7)
Quick Reference — Key Contacts
📞 NFIP Flood Insurance Help
1-800-427-4661
📞 FEMA Disaster Assistance
1-800-621-3362 or disasterassistance.gov
📞 Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990
📞 Find Shelters
Call 2-1-1 or RedCross.org
We Are Here For You
To those going through this: You are not alone.
If you need someone to talk to, reach out. If you need help navigating insurance, ask. If you just need someone to listen, we're here.
Stuff is just stuff. It can be replaced. YOU cannot. Take care of yourself first.
We're here for you. And we will get through this together. 💙
Key Takeaway
Document EVERYTHING before touching it. Contact insurance immediately. Don't accept the first payout without research. Mold starts in 24-48 hours. And please—take care of your heart too. This is trauma, and it's okay to grieve.
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