If you have water in your basement, metro-east home, take these steps to start recovery

Heavy rainfall brought significant flash flooding to southwest Illinois Tuesday, covering roadways, downing powerlines and inundating many structures.

Recovery is ongoing as of Wednesday morning.

While issuing a Proclamation of Disaster as of 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern noted “dozens of water rescues” had taken place and government buildings had sustained “substantial damage.”

But property owners who saw water intrusion into their homes during the flooding should begin looking for recovery and remediation through insurance and other means. As such, we’ve rounded up some information about flood recovery.

Most flood damage is not covered by typical home insurance plans. You should consult your homeowners’ insurance policy and flood insurance policy, if you have one, for possible coverage.

First and foremost, be sure the power and gas supply is shut off to your home before you enter. Once you are sure it is safe to go in, document the damage to your home by taking photos and videos if you can safely do so.

If you live in St. Clair County, local officials are asking those who have sustained flood damage to fill out an online questionnaire. The information gathered is being used for a preliminary damage assessment.

Here are some next steps from the Illinois Department of Public Health, including best safety practices and what you can do after your home is flooded .

What should I do if my basement floods?

If your basement is flooded, you may need to first call a professional to pump out remaining standing water after the flood has receded below the basement level.

After a professional has determined it’s safe to enter your basement, you can begin to examine debris and figure out what can be saved. When discarding debris, strain water away from the trash. After straining trash, the health department advises you wrap it in newspaper and store it in a covered garbage can until it’s picked up.

Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to replace rugs, carpets and paneling.

The IDPH says exposure to floodwater can cause infections, rashes, gastrointestinal illness and tetanus. The agency advises people to avoid contact with floodwater as much as possible and to wear rubber boots and rubber gloves if you must enter the water for recovery efforts.

You should wash your hands after coming in contact with floodwater, and do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated until they are disinfected.

What should I do if my first floor floods near furniture or in the kitchen?

If your first floor or main living spaces have been flooded, you or a hired professional should clean hard surfaces with a bleach and water solution once the water has receded and remaining floodwater has been pumped out.

That solution should include no more than 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water, and you’ll also be able to disinfect drapes this way.

IDPH advises people to discard any food that’s been exposed to floodwaters and use only bottled water for drinking, bathing, brushing teeth and cooking until you’re sure the water supply is safe.

If floodwater has entered your refrigerator or freezer, throw away the food inside. You can still eat food in intact, undented cans after disinfecting the can with a bleach solution.

My home has flooded, what else can I do?

The National Flood Insurance Program, run through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, advises the following steps after a flood:

• Take photos and videos of the damage, including structural issues and personal property. Don’t forget the insides of cabinets and closets; anywhere that floodwater may have reached.
• Record the serial numbers of large appliances, like your fridge.
• Keep your receipts.
• Keep samples of your materials, like carpets and wallpaper. The NFIP says “the type and quality of material may impact the amount of your claim.”
• Contact repair services.

Mold remains a concern for homeowners and renters following a flood. If mold has already begun to grow and you must enter your home, the NFIP recommends you:

• Wear gloves, googles and an N-95 respirator to protect yourself.
• Be careful with generators. Always run them outside.
• Ensure mold is remediated before you move back in.