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After a flood, deciding what to keep and what to throw away is important for both your health and your home. Floodwater can carry harmful bacteria and chemicals that soak into many materials. Mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours, so act quickly to reduce health risks and prevent further damage.

Recovery/Cleanup

• For cleanup, recovery, or other unmet needs
  Contact Clackamas County Coordinated Housing Access at 503-655-8575. Calls will be answered Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• For questions about posted inspection cards or properties impacted by flooding 
  Contact County Building Services at 503-742-4240 or bldservice@clackamas.us

Before You Start

• Turn off gas and electricity before entering flooded areas.
• Wear protective gear, including gloves and a mask or respirator with the proper filter.

Drying and Cleaning Your Home

• Remove standing water and mud as soon as possible so floors and walls can dry.
• Remove damaged drywall and insulation that were exposed to floodwater.
• Rinse concrete and masonry walls with a high-pressure hose to remove silt and dirt.
• Scrub remaining stains with a stiff brush and household detergent, starting at the top and working down.
• Open doors and windows to let moisture escape.
• Use fans or dehumidifiers to speed up drying.
• If using a gas-powered generator, follow safety guidelines to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• More tips for cleaning up after a flood.

What to Do With Household Items

Clean and Keep

• Metal furniture
• Plastic furniture
• Glass items
• China and ceramic dishes
• Silverware and kitchen utensils

Maybe (Depends on Condition)

• Photos and books
• Solid wood furniture
• Bedding and blankets
• Clothing
• Rugs
• Appliances and electronics

Best to Throw Away

• Mattresses
• Cloth-upholstered furniture
• Cushions and pillows
• Wood veneer furniture

Avoid Electrical Hazards

• Do not use electrical appliances that were wet or submerged.
• Turning on wet appliances can cause electric shock, fire, or overheating.

What to Do With Hazardous Waste After a Flood

Flooding can damage household chemicals and other hazardous products. Proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste after a flood helps prevent injuries, fires, and environmental contamination.

Damaged or Wet Hazardous Products

• Set wet or damaged products aside in a safe, dry location until they can be disposed of properly.
• Do not open containers or try to empty them.
• Keep labels intact so disposal staff can identify the product.
• If a container is leaking, place it inside a sturdy bin or bucket to contain the leak.
• Store all hazardous items away from children and pets.

Cleaning Up Hazardous Spills

• Only clean spills after floodwater has receded and the area is dry and well ventilated.
• Wear protective gear, including gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection.
• Do not mix products during cleanup—some chemicals can react dangerously when combined.

Private Wells and Flooding

• Stay away from the well pump during flooding to avoid electric shock.
• Do not drink or wash with well water until it has been properly cleaned and tested.
• Hire a licensed well or pump contractor to clean and restart the system.
• After restarting, pump the well until water runs clear.
• If water does not clear, have it tested for coliform bacteria before use.

Flooded wells can remain unsafe for months. Contamination may occur over time, even after an initial safe test. Repeated water testing is strongly recommended.

If bottled water is unavailable, refer to the EPA fact sheet "What to Do When Your Well Is Flooded" for steps to make your water safe to drink. More information from the EPA.

For private household well questions, contact the Domestic Well Safety Program at domestic.wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 541-952-9254.

Entering a home or building with mold damage requires a "safety-first" approach to your clothing. Because mold spores are microscopic and readily adhere to fabric, your clothes serve as your primary barrier against health risks and cross-contamination.

To protect yourself and prevent spreading the mold, choose disposable coveralls or slick, non-porous materials that are easy to clean or discard after use.

What to wear before entering a home or building with mold damage.

• Goggles or eye protection
• N-95 respirator or one that provides even more protection (check packaging for N-95)
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Long pants
• Waterproof boots

Mold Clean-up

• Toss. Anything wet with floodwater that can't be completely cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be taken outside. Take photos of discarded items for filing insurance claims.
• Air it out. Open all doors and windows while you are working, and leave as many open as you safely can when you leave.
• Circulate. When it is safe to use electricity, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
• Don't mix cleaners. Don't mix products. DO NOT mix bleach and ammonia because it can create toxic vapors.
• Scrub surfaces. Clean with water and detergent. Remove all visible mold. Dry immediately.
• Don't cover it. Painting or caulking over mold won't prevent it from growing. Fix the water problem completely and clean up all the mold before painting or caulking.
• Dry it up. Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as possible, within 24-48 hours if you can.

More Resources

Homeowner's and renter's guide to mold cleanup

What basic steps should I take to protect my and my family's health after a flood?

• After touching anything that flood water has also touched, wash your hands and clothes with plenty of soap and clean running water.
• If no safe water supply is available, use bottled, boiled, or chemically disinfected water to wash hands, brush teeth, and for bathing. Tips for disinfecting water.
• Wash children's hands with soap and water often and always before meals. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas, or with toys that have been contaminated by floodwater and have not been disinfected.
• Do not eat any fruit or vegetables from gardens affected by flood water, even if the garden is now dry. Plants and the soil can be contaminated with germs and chemicals that can make you sick. Start over with clean dirt after the risk of floods have passed.

What health and disease risks should I know about after a flood?

• Wounds
  • Clean minor wounds thoroughly with soap and clean water, and keep them bandaged, covered, and dry.
  • Use antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection.
  • If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling, or pus/drainage, talk to a health care provider.
  • If it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccine, you should get a booster—or start the vaccine series if you haven't yet. Flood clean-up and repairs increase the chance of injury and tetanus.
  • If you get a deep or puncture wound, or if feces or soil get into an open wound, talk to your health care provider to see if you need a tetanus booster—even if it has been lessthan 10 years since your last booster.Updated 1.10.2023
• Diarrheal disease
  • Floodwater may contain sewage. Eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater can cause diarrheal disease.
  • Symptoms of diarrheal disease include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. If you have any of these symptoms, get rest and drink plenty of clean water.
  • Talk to a health care provider if you have any of these symptoms:
    • Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
    • Diarrhea along with a fever higher than 102˚F/38.9˚C
    • Bloody diarrhea
    • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine

What vaccines should I get after a flood?

• You should get a booster dose of a tetanus vaccine if you have not had a booster dose within the last 10 years.
• There are no other special vaccination recommendations for people returning home after a flood.

Food and Medicine

When dealing with food and medicine after a flood, the golden rule is: When in doubt, throw it out. Floodwater can carry sewage and chemicals that contaminate anything it touches.

What to Discard

• Medicine and Cosmetics: Toss anything exposed to floodwater.
• Porous Packaging: Discard food in cardboard, plastic wrap, or paper.
• Jarred Goods: Throw away glass or plastic jars with screw-top or crimped lids (spores can seep under the lid).
• Fresh Produce: Discard any fruits or vegetables touched by floodwater.
• Perishables: Toss refrigerated items if the power was out for more than a few hours (above 41°F). Frozen food is typically safe for 24–48 hours in a closed freezer.

How to Save Sealed Cans

Undamaged, non-dented metal cans can be salvaged with these steps:

1. Mark and Strip: Write the contents on the lid with permanent ink and remove the paper labels.
2. Scrub: Wash with strong detergent and a brush, focusing on seams and lids.
3. Sanitize: Soak cans for 15 minutes in a bleach solution ($2$ tsp bleach per quart of water).
4. Dry: Air-dry completely before opening.

Cleaning Appliances

• Sanitize: Scrub refrigerators with soap and water, then wipe the interior with a bleach solution (1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water).
• Remove Odors: Place activated charcoal inside for 3–6 hours to absorb smells.

Wildfire smoke 

Wildfires and severe smoke occur every year in Oregon and create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions, infants, children and pregnant people. Follow these tips to protect yourself and your family.  

Find the current air quality in your area

Understand the Air Quality Index (AQI) 

Keep indoor air clean 

• Keep windows and doors closed.  
• Turn on air purifiers, if available. 
• Avoid smoking tobacco, using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, burning candles or incense or using a vacuum cleaner.  
• If possible, set your air conditioning to recycle or recirculate when at home or in your car. 
• Reduce time spent outdoors for people and pets 
• Especially avoid outdoor exercise or other vigorous activities.  
• If you have to spend time outdoors, consider protecting yourself with an N95 respirator. A properly fitted N95 can protect you from some smoke particles, but does not protect from poisonous vapors or gases. Do not rely on other types of masks.   

Stay hydrated and listen to your body 

• Drink plenty of water to help reduce symptoms of scratchy throat and coughing and to help your body deal with pollutants.   
• Wildfire smoke may lead to symptoms like headache, fatigue and coughing. If you are experiencing these symptoms, go to a place with clean air if possible.  
• If you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911.   

Stay informed 

• Check local news and weather reports.   
• If you're driving, visit tripcheck.com.  
• Head to oregonsmoke.org and/or airnow.gov to check current air quality levels  
• Learn about local evacuation levels and maps.
• Call 211 or go to 211info.org for up-to-date information and resources including emergency shelter, physical and mental health referrals and more. 

Disasters and emergencies can lead to evacuations. Know the types of evacuation orders that you could experience and make a plan in advance.

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