Post-disaster planning tool — not a quote
See your severity band, what gets saved vs replaced, and a credible cost + timeline planning range — in about 60 seconds.
Free · No signup · ~60 seconds
What type of flood event?
Before you continue
If you are standing in water or cannot safely turn off power from a dry location, call 911 or your electric utility first. This tool helps with planning after immediate safety is addressed.
Regional cost adjustment
Pick your state to adjust the planning range for your local labor, materials, and permit market. Based on RSMeans and BLS construction cost indices.
Live flood assessment
Major$11,690 to $21,040
Severity score 51/100 · ~26–68 days stabilize → rebuild · planning range, not a quote
Every answer moves the water line, the milestone risk states, and the planning range live — grounded in CDC, NFIP, EPA, and IICRC flood guidance.
Recovery roadmap
Three phases. Overlap is normal.
Total timeline
26–68 days
Total cost range
$11,690–$21,040
Stabilize
Phase 1Extraction, safety assessment, initial documentation, and temporary power/HVAC decisions.
Dry out
Phase 2NFIP guidance: buildings can often be dried within ~72 hours with proper equipment and daily monitoring.
Rebuild
Phase 3Repair timeline depends on material availability and whether structural work is needed.
Cost breakdown by phase
Emergency extraction
$2,949
Water extraction, stabilization, safety checks.
Cleanup & demolition
$2,686
Removing unsalvageable materials and debris.
Drying & monitoring
$2,149
Dehumidifiers, air movers, daily moisture readings.
Repair & rebuild
$4,601
Drywall, flooring, trim, painting, rebuilds.
Contents loss
$3,200
Furniture, electronics, appliances, documents.
Percentages shown against expected total · Range for each phase available on hover
Not a quote or structural assessment
This tool provides planning ranges based on published guidance. Actual costs depend on field conditions, contractor availability, and insurance coverage. Verify with a licensed professional.
Your flood damage path
Score: 51/100Confidence
HighYou provided strong signals across key factors. Ranges reflect your inputs with reasonable certainty.
Salvage vs replace guidance
| Material | Guidance | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
Drywall & insulation Drywall wet above baseboards may be salvageable if dried quickly and contamination is low. Cut at least 12 inches above water line. | Depends | Low confidence |
Carpet / pad Salvage depends on drying speed and contamination level. Professional assessment recommended. | Depends | Low confidence |
Cabinets & vanities Solid wood cabinets may survive shallow, clean water if dried promptly. Particleboard is less forgiving. | Depends | Low confidence |
Upholstery & mattresses Professional cleaning may save some items if addressed within 24–48 hours. Contaminated items are higher risk. | Depends | Low confidence |
Electronics & appliances If not submerged, electronics may be functional. Do not power on any device that was near water without inspection. | Depends | Low confidence |
Documents & photos Not reported as affected. Still check storage areas, filing cabinets, and closets at floor level. | Salvage possible | Medium confidence |
Immediate action checklist
Insurance documentation
What drives the cost higher
Below-grade areas are harder to access, slower to dry, and more susceptible to hidden moisture behind foundation walls.
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Every band, range, and salvage call traces back to published guidance — nothing here is a made-up ratio.
Severity score: 51/100. Top drivers: water depth, duration, spread and scope. Severity band: Major.
Cost range: $11,690–$21,040. This includes emergency extraction, cleanup/demolition, drying, rebuild, and estimated contents loss. Ranges widen when key inputs are unknown.
Timeline: 26–68 days total planning range across stabilize (2–3d), dry out (3–5d), and rebuild (21–60d).
Cost benchmarks are anchored to published consumer per-sq-ft ranges for water damage restoration, adjusted for flood-specific drivers (contamination, depth, duration, and systems impact). These are planning references, not contractor quotes.
Sources: CDC flood cleanup guidance, NFIP claims handbook, EPA mold prevention, IICRC water damage categories.
Floodwater from outside sources (rivers, storm surge, sewage backup) is conservatively treated as Category 2 or 3 per institutional water damage categories (IICRC S500). CDC notes floodwater may carry sewage, chemicals, and other hazards. See: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/extreme-weather/floods-cleanup.html
CDC and EPA guidance consistently emphasizes drying within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth. Mold can begin growing on wet materials within this window under the right conditions (warmth, humidity, organic material). See: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2
CDC recommends removing drywall and insulation contaminated with sewage or floodwater. Even with clean water, drywall wet above 12 inches often needs to be cut. The decision depends on contamination, depth, and drying speed. See: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.html
Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover damage from rising water or external flooding. Flood coverage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Contact your carrier to confirm your specific coverage. See: https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance
NFIP guidance: photograph and video all damage, separate damaged from undamaged items, keep samples of materials being discarded, do not throw away items before adjuster review unless they are a health hazard, and maintain a written drying log. See: https://www.floodsmart.gov/how-file-flood-claim
Emergency extraction typically runs $1,000–$5,000 for a single-family home, depending on water volume, depth, contamination category, and access. Cost rises sharply with Category 3 water (sewage/storm surge) because of containment and antimicrobial treatment requirements. This tool gives a planning-level range based on your specific situation.
Call 911 if electrical equipment is in standing water with power on, if there is a structural collapse risk, if anyone has ingested contaminated water, or if gas is present. For the flood itself, treat any standing water, any water in the electrical panel, any Category 3 contamination, or any water sitting more than 24 hours as an immediate-action scenario.
It depends on contamination level, electrical safety, and HVAC/water heater status. CDC guidance: if there is sewage contamination, structural damage, or unsafe electrical conditions, arrange temporary housing. Clean water floods with fast response may allow continued occupancy with some areas isolated during drying. Always verify safety with a licensed professional. See: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html
NFIP-recommended approach: remove baseboards to allow airflow behind walls, drill 2-inch inspection holes at the base of each wall cavity, use commercial dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers, and take daily moisture readings with a pin meter. If drywall does not return to baseline moisture within 5–7 days, replacement is usually required. See: https://www.floodsmart.gov/cleanup
Yes. Every Palm Build tool is designed to produce a polished PDF and an email-friendly summary so you can share it with a spouse, landlord, property manager, insurer, or adjuster.
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