Water Damage First-Hour Checklist: What Public Agencies List

General information only, not professional, legal, or insurance advice. RI Water Damage Help is a free referral service, not a contractor, and may be paid a referral fee.

Safety items agencies list first

1. Returning home. Ready.gov says to return home only when authorities say it is safe, and the Red Cross says to wait for officials after an evacuation. (Ready.gov) (Red Cross)
2. Electrical hazards. Ready.gov warns of electrocution, says not to touch electrical equipment that is wet or while standing in water, and lists turning off the electricity if it is safe to do so. The Red Cross says fallen power lines, poles and wires can electrocute people. (Ready.gov) (Red Cross)
3. Gas, power and water. The CDC lists turning off gas, power and water when power lines are down or water is in the home. The RI DBR claims guide lists checking for downed electrical lines or broken gas lines, and leaving the home until authorities say it is safe if there are safety issues. (CDC) (RI DBR)
4. Floodwater. Ready.gov describes floodwater as possibly contaminated and full of dangerous debris, and says underground or downed power lines can electrically charge it. The Red Cross says it may contain sewage, sharp items and chemicals. (Ready.gov) (Red Cross)
5. Carbon monoxide. The CDC says portable generators belong outside, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and never inside a home or garage even with doors and windows open. The Red Cross warns against using gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement or garage. (CDC) (Red Cross)
6. Who stays out. Ready.gov advises that people with asthma, other lung conditions or immune suppression stay out of buildings with indoor water leaks or mold that can be seen or smelled, and that children not take part in disaster cleanup. (Ready.gov)
7. Protective gear. The Red Cross lists boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear and an N95 respirator for cleanup, and suggests working with a partner and taking breaks. Ready.gov lists heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots. (Red Cross) (Ready.gov)
8. Lighting. The Red Cross lists flashlights or battery-powered lanterns rather than candles, to reduce fire risk. (Red Cross)

Leaks from frozen or burst pipes

1. Thawing. The American Red Cross lists a heating pad, hair dryer, space heater kept away from flammable materials, or hot, wet towels for thawing a frozen pipe, and warns against blowtorches, kerosene or propane heaters, charcoal stoves and other open flames. If the frozen section can’t be found, reached or thawed, its guidance is to call a licensed plumber. (Red Cross)
2. More frozen pipes. The Red Cross notes that if one pipe freezes, others may too. (Red Cross)

More: burst and frozen pipe facts · burst pipe cleanup.

Documentation items from insurance sources

1. Photos and notes. The RI DBR claims guide describes taking photos or videos of damaged areas and belongings and jotting down notes about significant damage. (RI DBR)
2. Preventing further damage. The DBR guide describes essential repairs to prevent further damage, such as covering a roof or windows, and keeping all receipts for emergency repairs. It also notes an insurer may not pay for permanent repairs it did not authorize. (RI DBR)
3. Reporting. The DBR guide says the easiest way to report a claim is to call the insurance company or agent. FloodSmart says to start a flood insurance claim as soon as possible and describes recording the make, model and serial number of appliances and electronics. (RI DBR) (FloodSmart)
4. Adjuster identification. For NFIP flood claims, FloodSmart describes asking to see the adjuster’s Flood Control Number card, dated for the current storm year. (FloodSmart)

More: how water damage insurance claims work in Rhode Island. Coverage varies by policy.

Drying, mold and contaminated water

1. The 24 to 48 hour window. The EPA says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak or spill, mold will not grow in most cases. The Red Cross says that if a flooded home can’t be dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold growth is to be assumed. (EPA) (Red Cross)
2. Drying equipment. The CDC lists fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers for drying. (CDC)
3. Porous materials. The EPA says absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. The CDC lists throwing away items that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs and drywall. (EPA) (CDC)
4. Larger mold areas. The EPA points to its commercial remediation guidance when there has been a lot of water damage or mold covers more than about 10 square feet. (EPA)
5. Sewage. The EPA says damage caused by sewage or other contaminated water calls for a professional experienced in cleaning buildings damaged by contaminated water. (EPA)
6. HVAC. The EPA advises against running a heating or cooling system that is known or suspected to be contaminated with mold, because it could spread mold through the building. (EPA)

More: sewer backup facts · mold inspection and removal · sewage backup cleanup.

Food and drinking water

1. Food. The Red Cross lists throwing out food that got wet or warm. (Red Cross)
2. Tap water. The Red Cross and the CDC point to local public health officials for information on whether water is safe to drink. (Red Cross) (CDC)
3. Private wells. The EPA says wells more than 10 years old or less than 50 feet deep are likely to be contaminated after a flood, even if there is no apparent damage. (EPA)

Related guides

• Water damage restoration
• Flood damage repair
• Flooded basement cleanup
• Storm damage cleanup
• Ice dam roof leaks
• All Rhode Island towns

More general guides: what public agencies list as early steps after water damage · how water damage insurance claims work in Rhode Island · burst pipes in Cranston · basement flooding in Warwick · sewer backup in Pawtucket · flood damage in Rhode Island.

Early steps after water damage: common questions

Sources

• Ready.gov: Floods
• American Red Cross: Flood safety
• American Red Cross: Frozen Pipes
• CDC: Preparing for Floods
• CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics
• EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
• EPA: What to do with private wells after a flood
• RI DBR: Post-Disaster Claims Guide
• FloodSmart: How to start a flood insurance claim

Sources checked October 29, 2026.