Storm and flood cleanup

Hurricane water damage cleanup

Hurricane water damage comes from two directions: rain driven through a damaged roof, windows and doors, and storm surge or flooding rising from below. Cleanup removes water and contaminated materials, dries the structure before mold takes hold, and documents wind damage and flood damage separately, because they fall under different insurance policies.

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Contaminated water and mold

Floodwater around Texas homes after Hurricane Beryl — Stock photo

After a hurricane the clock is set by heat and humidity. With the power out and no air conditioning, wet drywall and insulation can grow mold within two or three days. The first jobs are to stop more water with tarps and board-up, get standing water out, and remove materials that cannot be dried in time.

Surge and floodwater are treated as contaminated, so soaked carpet, pad, insulation and the lower part of drywall are cut out. Rain that came through the roof is cleaner, but attic insulation and ceilings that stayed wet for days usually have to be replaced too. Crews are stretched thin after a major storm, so expect waiting lists and document everything yourself while you wait.

This page is part of storm and flood cleanup.

Hurricane water damage at a glance

Two kinds of water: Wind-driven rain from above, surge or flood from below
Insurance: Wind under homeowners (often a hurricane deductible); flood under a flood policy
Mold risk: High within 2–3 days without power or drying
First steps: Tarp, board up, extract, remove soaked materials

Signs you need hurricane water damage

A water line on walls from surge or flooding
Wet ceilings and attic insulation after roof damage
Water around windows and sliding doors
A musty smell within days of the storm
Swollen floors, doors and baseboards

How this differs by region

Gulf Coast

Surge, extreme rainfall and long power outages. See Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.

Atlantic Coast

From the Carolinas to New England, storms often arrive weaker but with heavy inland rain and river flooding. See North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey.

Inland states

Remnants of tropical systems cause flash floods far from the coast, as in the southern Appalachians. See Tennessee and Georgia.

How the job works

Secure the building
Roof tarps and board-up stop more water from entering.
Extract and tear out
Standing water is removed and contaminated or unsalvageable materials are cut out.
Clean and dry
Remaining surfaces are cleaned and treated, then dried with generators and dehumidifiers if power is still out.
Document by cause
Wind-related and flood-related damage are recorded separately for the two claims.

What affects the cost

Every job is priced after an inspection, and your insurer may cover part of it. These are the factors that move the number:

Depth of flooding and how much must be removed
Roof damage and tarping
Days without power
Mold growth before work could start
Demand for crews after a major storm

What you can do before help arrives

Safe to do

Photograph every room, the water line and the roof from the ground
Open windows and doors when the weather allows, to let moisture out
Remove wet rugs, bedding and soft furniture to the outside once documented

Stop and call

Don't run a generator indoors or in a garage
Don't enter a flooded home until power is confirmed off
Don't wait for the adjuster before preventing further damage

Questions about hurricane water damage

Is hurricane water damage covered by homeowners insurance?

Wind damage and the rain that enters through it are usually covered, often with a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible. Storm surge and rising water are flood damage and need a flood policy.

What is a hurricane deductible?

In many coastal states, policies apply a percentage deductible, commonly 1 to 5 percent of the home's insured value, to hurricane or named-storm losses instead of the flat deductible. It is listed on your declarations page.

How fast does mold grow after a hurricane?

In heat and humidity with no air conditioning, growth can start in 24 to 48 hours. Removing soaked materials quickly matters more than waiting for equipment.

Where we can connect you

Independent companies in our network cover 20,778 ZIP codes in 47 states (as of October 5, 2026). Pick your state for local causes, rules and coverage: