If your basement becomes flooded, remember that trying to remove the water too quickly could result in significant structural damage to your home. Instead, the water should be drained slowly to avoid damage to the foundation, floors and basement walls.

While the flood may have receded, ground water on the outside could push hard against your basement walls, and the flood water inside will likewise push back. Consequently, if the water in your basement recedes too fast, the outside pressure may increase dramatically, causing the floor or foundation to crack or even collapse.

In this situation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests taking these steps to prevent any serious damage or injury when your basement is flooded. Begin pumping out a foot of water when the ground outside is no longer covered with flood water. Mark the current water level, and check it the following morning. If the water level is higher, wait for 24 hours and repeat the procedure. Then, when the water level is below your mark, you can pump out two or three feet every day until your basement is free of water.

At the same time, some safety precautions are also necessary. For example, you should only enter a flooded basement if you are absolutely certain that the electricity is not turned on. Also, gasoline-powered generators should never be used in a confined space, such as a basement, because they emit dangerous carbon-monoxide fumes. Tetanus shots are a sensible precaution for anyone dealing with contaminated flood water.

Cleaning up after a flood can be a harrowing task, especially if you discover any serious damage. If your basement is filled with water, your home's foundation may even be destroyed. When you are hesitant about handling the situation yourself, it may be best to contact a professional to pump out the water and repair the waterproofing and drainage system in your basement so that it will function properly.

Note also that flood water may be full of dangerous organisms that can cause tetanus, an infectious disease affecting the nervous system. Typhoid and paratyphoid are also threats. In addition, it is often a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and encephalitis. To protect yourself, use insect repellent and wash your hands in boiled or disinfected water, especially if the flood water is contaminated by sewage.

Since mud swept into your home by a flood can also be contaminated, shovel out as much as you can, and then use a garden hose or sprayer to remove the mud from hard surfaces, Next, wash those surfaces with a heavy-duty cleaner and hot water, use disinfectant, and rinse them in clean water.

Even if a flood amounts to just an inch of water, you may end up having to replace wallboard, carpeting, furniture, and appliances that are used or stored in your basement. When a storm is more severe, you may also need a new heating and air conditioning system, septic tank, roofing, and foundation to make your home safe and livable.