Bellevue, WA · King County
Flood and Storm Water Damage Restoration
Rain pushed in under the door, a creek came up into the yard, or hail opened the roof and water is coming through the ceiling? Call (425) 307-0286 to reach a local restoration company. That company removes the water, cleans what the floodwater touched, dries the house and records the damage for your insurer.
Call (425) 307-0286. After a big storm, ask the company for an honest arrival time.
What is flood or storm water damage?
Flood and storm water damage is water from outside the house: rising creek water, runoff across a street, or rain and hail that gets in through a door, a window or a roof.
Water from outside is treated differently from a pipe leak inside the home, so the cleanup, the insurance and the steps you take all change.
Is it safe to stay in a flooded home?
Often not, at least until the power is off and the water is gone. Water from outside carries germs and debris, and water near live outlets can shock you.
- Stay out of standing water. Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or appliances are in it. Turn off power at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. Otherwise, leave it to an electrician.
- Unplug appliances. Unplug appliances once it’s safe, so they don’t shock anyone when power comes back (CDC).
- Wear protection. Wear rubber boots and gloves for any cleanup. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward (CDC).
- Take photos. Take photos and video of every room, the water line on the walls and damaged belongings, before anything is moved.
- Call (425) 307-0286. Tell the company where the water came in, how deep it got and how long it sat.
If floodwater reached living areas, plan to stay somewhere else while the house is cleaned and dried.
Why floodwater is treated differently
Floodwater from outside is Category 3 water, the dirtiest category in the restoration standard (ANSI/IICRC S500). That includes rising creek water and surface runoff. It needs cleaning and disinfecting, not just drying. Sewage backups are Category 3 too.
Clean water from a pipe can also turn into Category 3 if it sits or runs through dirty spaces. A roof leak can pick up contaminants from shingles and debris on the way in. That’s why a good restoration company tests and looks before deciding what to save. More on how water is graded: water damage categories and classes.
On a Category 3 job, the crew wears protective gear and may seal off the work area. Air scrubbers with HEPA filters can keep dust and germs from spreading to dry rooms.
What do I throw away after a flood?
Throw away anything soaked by floodwater that can’t be cleaned and disinfected. The CDC lists wall coverings, cloth, rugs and drywall in that group.
In practice, that usually means:
- Carpet pad. Pad soaked by Category 3 water is thrown out, and so is the carpet in most cases.
- Drywall and insulation. Drywall and insulation below the water line, plus a margin above it. The crew cuts the wall a set height above the wet line (a “flood cut”) so the cavity can dry.
- Soft furnishings. Mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture that took on floodwater.
- Food. Food that the water touched. Follow the CDC’s food safety guidance after a disaster.
Hard surfaces such as tile, sealed concrete and many hard floors can usually be cleaned. The CDC suggests soap and water, then a mix of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
Photograph items before they go to the curb, and keep a list. Your adjuster may want samples, such as a piece of carpet. Things with real value, like photos or heirlooms, can sometimes be saved by a contents specialist. Ask before you throw them out.
Not sure what to keep? Call (425) 307-0286. Ask the company to walk the house with you and photograph everything it removes.
Flood damage vs water damage: which does insurance cover?
The source of the water decides which policy pays. Water from inside the house, like a burst pipe or a failed water heater, is usually a homeowners claim.
FEMA defines a flood as water covering 2 or more acres of normally dry land, or 2 or more properties, at least one of them yours. Creek overflow and heavy-rain runoff across a street usually fit that definition.
How flood insurance works
- Separate policy. Flood coverage is a separate policy. It comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner).
- No flood zone needed. You don’t need to live in a flood zone to buy it (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner).
- Waiting period. There’s usually a 30-day wait. NFIP coverage generally starts 30 days after purchase (FEMA). Coverage bought when you take out or refinance a mortgage is an exception. Don’t wait for a storm forecast to buy it.
- Outside water only. NFIP covers rising water from outside, not plumbing leaks inside (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner).
- Report the loss right away.
Roof leaks after hail or wind
Water that comes through a roof opened by hail or wind is usually a homeowners claim, not a flood claim. A roof that was already leaking before the storm can be denied. A roofer fixes the roof. The restoration company dries the attic, ceiling and rooms below. Your adjuster may want to see both. See ceiling water damage for what happens to a wet ceiling.
Hail and severe storms come back most springs.
What your adjuster looks for
Adjusters trace where the water came from and whether the damage was sudden. Then they compare that to your policy. Your adjuster decides what’s covered. Ask the restoration company for dated photos, moisture readings and a list of what was removed and why. It shouldn’t negotiate your claim.
Talk to an attorney or a licensed public adjuster about that, not your contractor.
Flood risk is not just the flood zone
Flood risk extends beyond the mapped high-risk flood zone, the Special Flood Hazard Area or SFHA. The City of Bellevue’s Engineering Department says not all flood-prone areas or poor-drainage spots have been mapped (City of Bellevue, 2025).
A few examples:
Flood help from the City
The City’s Engineering Department offers flood-zone determinations, historical flood information by neighborhood, site visits for drainage problems and copies of Elevation Certificates. Ask the City’s Engineering Department how to request them. That paperwork helps when you shop for flood insurance or file a claim.
When do floods happen?
Storm-driven water damage can happen in any season. Spring is also hail and severe storm season.
Heavy rain can hit in other months too.
How long does it take to dry a house after flooding?
Many homes dry in about 3 to 5 days after the water is out and the wet materials are removed. Concrete slabs, hardwood and cabinets can take longer. Daily moisture readings, not the calendar, decide when the job is done. Our guide to how long drying takes explains why.
Speed matters because the EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Opening windows rarely helps in warm months. Our extraction and drying page explains the equipment.
Can I do flood cleanup myself?
A little rainwater on a bare concrete garage floor, caught right away, you can usually handle. Rising floodwater in finished rooms is Category 3 and needs cleaning, disinfecting and moisture readings. Drywall, pad and insulation hide water you can’t see. Our checklist for what to do right after water damage covers the safe first steps.
Category 3 work costs more than clean-water drying. See water damage restoration cost for the full breakdown.
What a proper flood job includes
- Check safety. Power, gas smell, sagging ceilings and how deep the water is.
- Remove the water. Pump out and extract standing water.
- Remove soaked materials. Remove and photograph soaked pad, drywall and insulation.
- Clean and disinfect. Clean and disinfect the hard surfaces floodwater touched.
- Dry the structure. Dry the structure with dehumidifiers and fans (air movers), with readings every day. Rebuild comes after: see water damage repair.
Step by step, including billing: how we work. Who does the work: about us.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to go back into a flooded home?
Often not, at least until the power is off and the water is gone. Water from outside carries germs and debris, and water near live outlets can shock you.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood water?
Flood coverage is a separate policy, from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer.
What should I throw away after a flood?
Throw away anything soaked by floodwater that can’t be cleaned and disinfected, such as carpet pad, drywall and insulation below the water line, and soft furnishings. Photograph items before they go to the curb.
How long does it take to dry a house after flooding?
Many homes dry in about 3 to 5 days after the water is out and the wet materials are removed. Daily moisture readings, not the calendar, decide when the job is done.
Can I clean up floodwater myself?
A little rainwater on a bare concrete garage floor, caught right away, you can usually handle. Rising floodwater in finished rooms is Category 3 and needs professional cleaning, disinfecting and moisture readings.
Storm or flood water? Call (425) 307-0286
Stay out of water near power, take photos, then call. Busy storm week? Ask the company for an honest arrival time and what to do until it gets there.