Flood Damage Follows Tropical Storms

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

When a tropical storm or hurricane bears down on a community, water can enter your home from a wide range of sources.

Located a few miles from the ocean and bounded by the Northeast Cape Fear River, our community just north of Wilmington contends with flooding when the weather conditions align. The lower levels of your home may fill with water, contamination being a potential issue. Because of the complications dirty water in the lower levels of your home can bring, be sure to contact SERVPRO® immediately after the water infiltrates. It is extremely important that professionals assess the quality of water soaking your walls and flooring before a decision is made to try either to restore them or to remove them because of concerns about potential biohazards and microbial growth. 

When a tropical storm or hurricane bears down on a community, water can enter your home from a wide range of sources. The rain often measures more than 12 inches and flood damage can spread to Castle Hayne from the ocean or the river. Rainwater is relatively clean, but the waters from rivers, streams, and the ocean usually must be considered infectious waste. The storm surge can contain water that has raw sewage, dead animals, and a random mixture of chemicals and toxic wastes. As the water seeps or rushes into your home, it can also loosen building materials within your house that pose dangers such as asbestos in insulation and pipe or furnace coverings. If you store paints, pesticides, and cleaning agents in the basement, the contents of cans and bottles can leach into the standing water in your home.

Because this mix of water can be so dangerous to you and your family, a do-it-yourself cleanup is strongly discouraged. SERVPRO® technicians have the experience and the specialized training and equipment to guide you through a difficult clean-up. We will assess the danger of retaining items that are porous and unlikely to be satisfactorily disinfected. Carpeting and upholstered furniture are usually considered too risky to keep. These and other items that have absorbed contaminated water will be discarded according to local codes while non-porous structures and contents will be professionally treated with proper products to abate the danger of contamination. If possible, you and your family will be barricaded away for the areas of your home that contain toxic waste as we clean and remove articles. If containment is not possible, we recommend a temporary evacuation while we manage the flooded areas.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

When contaminated flood waters threaten your home SERVPRO® of New Hanover can help you make the best decisions to restore your home to preloss condition. Call us at (910) 762-8180 as soon as possible after the waters enter for the best outcome.