Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Services

506 - Flood Damage

Although ours is a mild climate, flooding from intense thunderstorms or from snow melt conditions can occur in Southern California. There are steps you may take to minimize flood damage before it occurs. Please refer to Message 530 for some tips to ensure the safety of yourself and your family before it's too late. After a flood has occurred, the following measures are suggested. These should not be considered exhaustive:

• Contact your insurance agent to verify insurance coverage of the damages you have incurred.
• Unless there are special circumstances flooding from external sources is not covered on most homeowners' policies.
• Wear sturdy, closed shoes and gloves if necessary.
• Before entering a building, check for structural damage.
• Upon entering a building, do not use open flame.
• Verify that utility lines are shut off.
• Cover broken window or holes in roof to prevent further damage.
• Commence immediate cleanup activities to maintain health hazards.
• Use only purified or bottled water.
• Dry wooden furniture out of direct sunlight.
• Remove debris before it has a chance to dry.

In the event that flooding is due to a blocked storm drain, please call the Water/Wastewater Division at (310) 458-8532 during regular business hours, or (310) 458-8584 after hours.