July 19, 2024
North Little Rock, Ark. – If you were impacted by the recent flash flooding that occurred on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the following information can help you safely begin the clean-up and recovery process.
The first step is to contact your insurance company. It’s important for homeowners and renters to contact their insurance company any time they experience damage. Disasters remind everyone to check the coverage on their policies and potentially reinvest in one if they aren’t covered.
Secondly, we encourage everyone to exercise caution when cleaning up after flooding. Personal safety is the top priority. Rescue only your most valuable belongings. Do not attempt to recover items if it puts your safety at risk.
Always check for structural damage before entering a building that was impacted by floodwaters. This can help you avoid being trapped should the structure collapse. Keep the power off until an electrician can inspect the property and turn off any gas line connections.
After a flood, the ground or floors may be covered with debris, including broken glass, nails, or mud. Please wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes or waterproof boots, and plastic or rubber gloves during cleanup. Wash your hands often with soap and clean water. This will help protect you from harm.
Mold can form within 48 hours. This means you will need to work quickly. We encourage you to wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and an N95 or N100 face mask. These are available at most hardware stores.
Lastly, please take as many photos of the damage as possible for insurance purposes.
Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide helpful resources about returning home after a disaster, hazards you may encounter during the clean-up process, and what to do if you encounter mold. You may visit their websites at:
https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/index.html
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.
