Post-disaster planning tool — not a quote
Flood Damage Estimator
Understand the severity path you are on, what probably gets removed vs saved, what the cost and timeline planning range looks like, and what to do in the next 72 hours.
Post-disaster planning, not a quote
Safety-first triage, salvage guidance, cost ranges, and a shareable action plan.
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.
Severity
MajorScore
52/100
Planning range
$13,715–$24,685
Confidence
Low
Top severity drivers
Water depth
3–6 inches — moderate depth. Drywall, flooring, and lower contents are likely affected.
Duration
24–48 hours — at the critical threshold. Act now. Every additional hour reduces salvage options.
Spread and scope
650 sq ft across 3 rooms. Moderate scope — multiple areas need simultaneous attention.
Contamination
Gray water — may carry bacteria or chemicals. Porous materials that contacted this water are higher risk.
Recovery roadmap
Three phases. Overlap is normal.
Total timeline
26–68 days
Total cost range
$13,715–$24,685
Stabilize
Phase 1- Verify electrical safety before using any outlets or devices near the affected area.
- If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company from outside. Do not use open flame.
- Wear protective gear: rubber boots, gloves, and eye protection during any cleanup.
Dry out
Phase 2- Complete photographic and written documentation of all affected areas.
- Remove saturated porous materials that cannot be dried: carpet pad, insulation, contaminated drywall.
- Set up commercial dehumidifiers and air movers for monitored drying.
Rebuild
Phase 3- Continue drying with daily moisture meter readings. NFIP: daily checks are typical during monitored drying.
- Monitor for new musty odors — indicators of hidden moisture or early mold growth.
- Begin inventory of damaged contents with estimated values for insurance documentation.
Cost breakdown
Emergency extraction
$2,949
Cleanup & demolition
$2,686
Drying & monitoring
$2,149
Repair & rebuild
$6,101
Contents loss
$4,400
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
Salvage vs replace guidance
| Material | Guidance |
|---|---|
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 |
Carpet / pad Salvage depends on drying speed and contamination level. Professional assessment recommended. | Depends |
Cabinets & vanities Solid wood cabinets may survive shallow, clean water if dried promptly. Particleboard is less forgiving. | Depends |
Upholstery & mattresses Professional cleaning may save some items if addressed within 24–48 hours. Contaminated items are higher risk. | Depends |
Electronics & appliances If not submerged, electronics may be functional. Do not power on any device that was near water without inspection. | Depends |
Documents & photos Not reported as affected. Still check storage areas, filing cabinets, and closets at floor level. | Salvage possible |
Immediate action checklist
- Verify electrical safety before using any outlets or devices near the affected area.
- If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company from outside. Do not use open flame.
- Wear protective gear: rubber boots, gloves, and eye protection during any cleanup.
- Open windows and run fans for ventilation when safe to do so.
- Photograph every room and affected item before moving anything. Wide shots and detail shots.
Insurance documentation
- Photograph and video all damage before cleanup begins.
- Separate damaged items from undamaged items when safe to do so.
- Keep samples of damaged materials if discarding before adjuster visit (cut a piece of carpet, save a section of baseboard).
- Do not discard items before adjuster review unless they are a health hazard — NFIP guidance.
- Start a written drying log: date, readings, equipment used, observations.
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the loss and request claim instructions.
- Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage from rising water. Flood coverage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
- Basement coverage under flood insurance is limited. NFIP typically covers cleanup and equipment but not finished improvements like carpeting or drywall.
- Keep all receipts for emergency mitigation, temporary housing, and supplies. These may be reimbursable.
What drives the cost higher
Below-grade areas are harder to access, slower to dry, and more susceptible to hidden moisture behind foundation walls.
Flood Recovery Plan Generator
Describe your situation in your own words. The AI will combine your notes with the damage assessment to draft a recovery plan you can share with family, your landlord, or an insurance adjuster.
Not a structural assessment. Not a coverage determination. Planning guidance only.
How scoring works
Severity score: 52/100. Top drivers: water depth, duration, spread and scope. Severity band: Major.
Cost range: $13,715–$24,685. 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.
Export and share
Turn this result into a professional report
Download a premium PDF or email a polished copy to yourself, a spouse, landlord, property manager, insurer, or adjuster.
Trust layer
Use this tool risk-free
We do not collect your submitted data for marketing. This tool is built for personal disaster planning use by Palm Build and Nine Lives Development.
Provided by Palm Build (palmbld.com) · Built by Nine Lives Development (ninelives.dev)
This tool provides flood damage planning ranges, not a contractor quote or structural engineering assessment.
Floodwater contamination, electrical conditions, and hidden structural damage can materially change scope after professional inspection.
Salvage guidance is based on published CDC, EPA, and institutional references. Actual salvage depends on field conditions and speed of response.
Cost ranges are anchored to consumer restoration benchmarks adjusted for flood-specific factors. Actual costs vary by location, contractor, and market conditions.
This tool does not determine whether your home is safe to enter. Follow CDC and local emergency guidance.
Sources: CDC flood home repair guide, NFIP claims handbook, EPA mold guidance, IICRC water damage categories, Angi/HomeAdvisor consumer cost benchmarks.
Common questions
Is floodwater considered black water?
Floodwater from outside sources (rivers, storm surge, sewage backup) is conservatively treated as Category 2 or 3 per institutional water damage categories. CDC notes floodwater may carry sewage, chemicals, and other hazards.
How fast can mold start after a flood?
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).
Should I remove drywall after flooding?
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.
Will homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
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.
What should I document before cleanup?
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.
Can I export and share this report?
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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