Flooding in our region
Homes in New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow counties face flooding from several directions: storm surge along the beaches and sounds, rivers and creeks like the New, Northeast Cape Fear and Cape Fear that rise for days after big storms, and heavy rain that overwhelms drainage in low-lying neighborhoods. In 2018, Hurricane Florence stalled over the region and dropped more than two feet of rain in parts of Onslow County, flooding homes far from the ocean and cutting off roads into Wilmington.
Many homes that flooded had never flooded before. If you're not sure of your risk, FEMA flood maps and your county's emergency management office are good places to start.
Safety first when you return home
- Wait until local officials say it's safe to return.
- Don't enter if there's standing water near the electrical panel, you smell gas, or you see structural damage like sagging roofs or shifted foundations.
- Have the power company or an electrician check the electrical system before turning power back on.
- Wear rubber boots, gloves and eye protection. An N-95 respirator helps when removing wet, moldy materials.
- Never run a generator, pressure washer or other gas engine indoors or in a garage. The CDC warns that carbon monoxide can build up quickly; keep generators outside and well away from doors and windows.
- Watch for snakes, insects and other animals that may have moved in with the water.
Document everything before you clean
Before you remove anything, take photos and video of every room, the high-water line on walls, damaged contents, appliances and the outside of the home. Write down the make and model of damaged appliances. Report the loss to your flood insurer and homeowners insurer as soon as possible, and keep receipts for all cleanup expenses.
The flood cleanup process
- Water removal. Standing water is pumped out. If the ground outside is still saturated, basements and crawl spaces may need to be pumped gradually.
- Mud and debris removal. Silt and mud are shoveled out and surfaces are rinsed.
- Removing contaminated materials. Because floodwater is contaminated, porous materials it touched are usually removed: carpet and padding, drywall (often cut a couple of feet above the water line), insulation, and sometimes cabinets and flooring.
- Cleaning and disinfecting. Studs, subfloors and other hard surfaces are cleaned and treated.
- Structural drying. Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the framing and subfloor. Moisture readings confirm when the structure is dry enough to rebuild.
- Crawl space attention. Wet insulation under the house is removed, the vapor barrier is replaced, and the space is dried. See crawl space mold.
- Mold prevention and checks. Because flood cleanup often stretches past 48 hours, watch for mold as drying progresses.
- Rebuild. Only after everything is dry should insulation, drywall and flooring go back in.
Flood insurance basics
- Homeowners policies generally exclude flood. Flood damage from rising water is covered by flood insurance, such as an NFIP policy or a private flood policy.
- New flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying a policy when a storm is already on the way usually won't help.
- Building and contents are separate coverages under NFIP policies, and coverage for crawl spaces and basements is limited.
- Wind damage is handled separately. If a storm damaged your roof and let rain in, that part of the claim may go to your homeowners or wind policy (some coastal homes have wind coverage through the NC Insurance Underwriting Association, the "Beach Plan").
Ask your agent how your policies apply. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
Contractor scams after storms
After big storms, out-of-area contractors often show up going door to door. Be cautious of anyone who demands full payment up front, pressures you to sign right away, or asks you to sign over your insurance benefits before you understand the paperwork. Get a written estimate and scope of work, and take time to read it.
Get local flood cleanup help
Dry Coast Restoration connects you with a vetted local restoration crew, often same-day, anywhere in New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow counties. Call(910) 555-0100 or send a request using the form above.