Flood Damage Cleanup in Austin, TX

After a flood in Austin, 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 Austin to remove water, mud and soaked materials.

What to do in the first 24 hours in Austin

1. Stay out of floodwater. It can be contaminated and hide debris. Return only when authorities say it is safe (Ready.gov).
2. 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).
3. Smell gas? Leave first. Most Austin homes on natural gas are served by Texas Gas Service. From a safe place, call 911 and its emergency line, 1-800-959-5325 (Texas Gas Service).
4. Photograph the water line on walls, every room and damaged belongings before cleanup.
5. 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.
6. Stop more water getting in. Tarp roof damage and cover broken windows, and keep receipts.
7. Start drying within 24 to 48 hours where you can, to limit mold (EPA).
8. 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 Austin

Who	Why you might call	Number
Emergency	Fire, injury or gas leak	911
City of Austin	Non-emergency city services	3-1-1
Austin Energy	Power outages	512-322-9100
Austin Water	Water emergencies	512-972-1000
Texas Gas Service	Gas leaks	1-800-959-5325
Building and Trade Contractor Services	Emergency repair permits	512-974-1500
Emergency electrical inspections	Inspections before power is restored	512-974-2030
Austin floodplain office	Floodplain questions	512-974-2843

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 Austin?

• Heavier rain than the old maps assumed. The City of Austin notes that the 2018 Atlas 14 study found Central Texas is getting heavier rainfall. Current maps reflect 10.2 inches in 24 hours; updated maps reflect almost 13 inches in some areas (City of Austin).
• Check your flood risk. The city points residents to ATXFloodPro.com for floodplain maps, and notes every creek and lake has a floodplain, mapped or not (City of Austin).
• Repairs in the floodplain. Austin reviews residential floodplain work during plan review. Remodels and repairs to floodplain buildings must include a cost estimate of all the work. Floodplain questions: 512-974-2843.
• Emergency repair permits. The City of Austin says permits are generally required for repairs after fire and smoke damage, water and plumbing damage, electrical damage and gas line damage. Painting and small drywall repairs are often exempt (City of Austin).
• Many renters. About 43% of Austin’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (43.4%, U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 estimate). Many households will need their landlord involved (Census QuickFacts).

Frequently asked questions

Related help nearby

• Fire, smoke and water damage help in Austin
• Fire Damage Restoration in Austin
• Smoke Damage Restoration in Austin
• Water Damage Restoration in Austin
• Mold Remediation in Austin
• Flood Damage Cleanup: the full guide
• Water damage after a fire

Last reviewed: October 2026.