After a flood in Houston, go back only when local officials say it is safe and stay out of standing water. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Houston to remove water, mud and soaked materials.
What to do in the first 24 hours in Houston
- Stay out of floodwater. It can be contaminated and hide debris. Return only when authorities say it is safe (Ready.gov).
- Stay clear of wet electrics. Don’t touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water. Turn off power only if you can do it safely (Ready.gov).
- Smell gas? Leave first. CenterPoint Energy is Houston’s gas utility. From a safe place, call 911 and CenterPoint at 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036 (CenterPoint Energy).
- Photograph the water line on walls, every room and damaged belongings before cleanup.
- Call the right insurer. Flood is usually a separate flood policy. Wind or roof damage goes to your homeowners insurer. Report both if both happened.
- Stop more water getting in. Tarp roof damage and cover broken windows, and keep receipts.
- Start drying within 24 to 48 hours where you can, to limit mold (EPA).
- Find a place to stay if the home is unlivable. National Flood Insurance Program policies don’t pay additional living expenses (TDI).
Local numbers to keep handy in Houston
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| City of Houston | City services, water problems | 311 or 713-837-0311 |
| HFD records office | Fire reports | 832-394-6860 |
| CenterPoint Energy | Power outages | 800-227-1376 |
| CenterPoint Energy | Gas leaks | 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036 |
| Structural Inspections | Fire damage inspection before a repair permit | 832-394-8840 |
| Houston Permitting Center | Repair permits | 832-394-9000 |
| Floodplain Management Office | Floodplain homes, before any repair | 832-394-8854 |
| Harris County permits | Repairs outside city limits | 713-274-3900 |
What flood damage cleanup involves
Floodwater is treated as contaminated, so cleanup goes further than a clean-water leak.
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Safety check | Power, gas and structural hazards are checked first. | On arrival |
| Water and mud removal | Standing water is pumped out and mud and debris removed. | First days |
| Flood cut and tear-out | Wet drywall and insulation above the water line, carpet and pad are removed. | First days |
| Cleaning and disinfection | Surfaces that touched floodwater are cleaned and treated. | Before drying ends |
| Drying | Air movers and dehumidifiers run, with moisture readings logged. | Several days to a few weeks |
| Rebuild | Materials are replaced once dry. Floodplain rules may apply. | After drying and insurer review |
What it typically costs
- How high the water rose and how many rooms it reached.
- How long the water stood.
- Mud and debris removal.
- How much drywall, insulation and flooring must come out.
- Disinfection and drying time.
- Rebuild work, including floodplain permits.
How does insurance work for flood damage cleanup in Texas?
Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.
- Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
- What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
- What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
- Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
- Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).
- Flood is separate: standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood, and new flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.
Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.
What’s specific to Houston?
- Floodplain homes: call before repairing. If your home is in the floodplain, the city says you must call its Floodplain Management Office before any repairs (Houston Permitting Center). The office is at 832-394-8854.
- Substantial damage stops permits. If the city finds a floodplain building substantially damaged, it issues no repair permit until the building is elevated. The rule comes from the city’s Chapter 19 floodplain ordinance (Houston Permitting Center).
- Live flood data. The Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System shows live rainfall and stream levels from 201 gage stations. You can sign up for alerts (Harris County Flood Warning System).
- Outside city limits. In unincorporated Harris County, repair permits go through the County Engineer’s office at 713-274-3900. All repairs must meet the county’s floodplain rules (Harris County Engineering).
- Most homes are rentals. About 42% of Houston’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (42.1%, U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 estimate), so many households need their landlord involved (Census QuickFacts).
How getting help works
When you call or send the form, we connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. They inspect, document the damage and give you a written scope — you decide whether to hire them.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- Which IICRC certifications does the lead technician hold (for example WRT, FSRT, OCT or AMRT)?
- Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will I get a written scope of work before anything starts?
- Who will talk with my insurance adjuster, and what will you send them?
- If mold is involved: what is your TDLR mold remediation license number, and who did the independent mold assessment?
Frequently asked questions
Check before you repair. Inside the city, call the Floodplain Management Office at 832-394-8854; the city says floodplain homes must contact it before any repairs. Outside city limits, call the Harris County permit office at 713-274-3900.
Standard homeowners policies don’t. You need a separate flood policy, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program.
It depends on the water line and moisture readings. Wet drywall and insulation above the water line are usually removed.
Usually. Floodplain homes must call the city’s Floodplain Management Office first. A substantially damaged building must be elevated before a repair permit is issued.
The water line on walls, every room, damaged belongings and anything you remove, before it is moved.
Related help nearby
- Fire, smoke and water damage help in Houston
- Fire Damage Restoration in Houston
- Smoke Damage Restoration in Houston
- Water Damage Restoration in Houston
- Mold Remediation in Houston
- Harris County
- Flood Damage Cleanup: the full guide
- Water damage after a fire
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.