Storm and flood damage restoration around Wichita
Storm water arrives two ways around Wichita: down through roofs and windows opened by wind and hail, or up when creeks and rivers leave their banks. Each needs a different cleanup.
Referral service, not a contractor. A callback request is passed to an independent local restoration company. We do not perform the extraction, drying or repairs ourselves.
Floodwater rules from the people who track it
The National Weather Service office in Wichita repeats two numbers after every flood: as little as six inches of fast-moving water can sweep you off your feet, and 18 to 24 inches can float a car. Its message is the familiar one: turn around, don't drown.
Once water has gone down, Valley Center's flood guidance adds the cleanup cautions: floodwater is contaminated with sewage and chemicals, so clean everything it touched. Watch for snakes and small animals that sheltered in the house, and never run a generator or charcoal grill indoors. The EPA adds that generators belong outside, at least 20 feet from the building.
Coming home after a flood
In this order- Before entry
Look for structural and electrical danger
EPA advises waiting until professionals say a flooded home has no structural, electrical or other hazards. Look for sagging ceilings and floors from outside first.
- At the door
Power and gas off
Have the power company shut off electricity if it is not already off. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.
- First hour
Photograph everything
Rooms, waterlines on walls, damaged contents, and the outside of the house, before anything is thrown out.
- Same day
Gear up or stay out
Floodwater counts as black water. EPA's minimum is an N-95 respirator, goggles and waterproof gloves.
Water from above: roofs and windows
Wind and hail open roofs, and the rain that follows soaks attic insulation, ceilings and the walls below. This is usually clean rainwater at first. The problem is the hidden part: wet insulation sits on top of drywall ceilings and can hold water for days.
- Get the opening covered (tarp or board) before drying starts, or the drying is wasted.
- A sagging or bubbled ceiling is holding water. Keep people out from under it.
- Ask for the attic to be checked, not just the room where water dripped.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office urges residents to check a roofer's credentials before hiring after a storm. MABCD (316-660-1840) can tell you what a roof repair needs, and the Kansas Attorney General's office keeps a searchable roofer directory.
Water from below: creeks and rivers
Rising water is the dirtiest kind of damage. It is treated as black water, the same category as a sewer backup, which means porous materials it reached, such as drywall, insulation, carpet and upholstered furniture, are generally removed rather than dried. HomeGuide calls this Class 4 territory and puts the national cost of such losses at $15,000 to $100,000. The restoration cost guide sets both publishers' class ranges side by side.
Before you rebuild, call your city's floodplain office. Valley Center and Derby both have floodplain offices that review big repairs to badly damaged homes in mapped flood areas, and their answer can change what a rebuild includes. Ask before you sign a rebuild contract.
Flood insurance is a separate federal policy. Derby's and Valley Center's flood pages both note a 30-day waiting period before a new flood policy takes effect, so it cannot be bought once a flood is forecast.
After a storm, slow down at the door
The Sedgwick County District Attorney issues reminders like these after storms.
Storms bring knocks on the door. Some are local companies doing honest work; some are crews passing through who want a signature and a deposit before the water is even out. You can stop the damage first and make the hiring decision with a clear head.
A tarp and a fan buy you time. Nobody needs a full rebuild contract signed on the porch the morning after a storm. If someone hands you a contract or a waiver, read every page slowly, ask what each line means, and keep a copy. A company that won't wait while you read is telling you something.
- Get at least three written quotes, as the DA recommends, and be wary of one far below the others.
- Ask for a line-by-line estimate rather than a lump sum.
- Be wary of anyone who wants full payment up front, or cash only.
- Write down the company's name, phone number and the name of the person you dealt with.
- Questions or complaints go to the Kansas Attorney General's consumer protection hotline at 1-800-432-2310.
Storm and flood questions
Is flood damage restoration different from regular water damage cleanup?
Yes. Floodwater from outside is treated as contaminated, so the work leans toward removal, cleaning and disinfection rather than drying materials in place. The equipment is similar; the decisions are stricter.
How do I know if my house is in a flood zone?
FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows official flood maps by address. Sedgwick County and Wichita also publish FEMA flood layers on their GIS maps. Details are in the Wichita flood and freeze guide.
What should I photograph before cleanup starts?
The EPA's disaster cleanup guide says to contact your insurer and take pictures before cleanup starts. Shoot each room wide, the waterline on walls with a tape measure in frame, the source, and every damaged item, including model labels on appliances. Outside, photograph the roof, windows and any high-water marks. Keep receipts for tarps and other emergency purchases. Step 3 of the printable checklist is a reminder.
Will the referral line help with my insurance claim?
No. This line does not handle, file or negotiate insurance claims, and does not suggest that any provider will. Your claim is between you and your insurer. The Kansas Insurance Department's consumer line is 785-296-3071.