Have You Experienced Flooding in Trenton?

Monday's rainfall flooded several streets in Trenton including those near the corner of Ward and Grange, where some residents are complaining their basements were also flooded.

A Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch reader sent photos of the flooding near her home. She said the rain caused significant flooding in her basement, which ruined many of her personal belongings. 

The reader said many of her neighbors also experienced flooding in their basements.

Patch readers commented about recent heavy rainfall and flooding on the Trenton-Grosse Ile Facebook page:

• Elizabeth Zavoina Dillard said she had flooding, "Patio up to step, drive, flower bed up to window sills. I've been here since 1985, seen many storms, never saw it like that. Thankfully stayed out of house, however, neighbor not as lucky."
• Tonya Hubbard said, "Not fun too clean up a basement that's been flooded!"

BEWARE OF HAZARDS

• First, check for damage. Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Contact professionals immediately if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines.
• Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters.
• Boil water until authorities declare the water supply safe to drink.

FILE YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIM

• Call your insurance agent who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. Have the following information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your insurance company (your agent may write policies for more than one company); (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached. 
• Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property. If necessary, place these items outside the home. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged items (e.g., cut swatches from carpeting) to prepare your repair estimate.
• List damaged or lost items and include their age and value where possible. If possible, supply receipts for those lost items to the adjuster. Officials may require disposal of damaged items. If so, try to keep a swatch or other sample of the items for the adjuster.

 CLEAN UP

• Remove wet contents immediately to prevent mold. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and other items holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. During the first 48 hours, you can help control mold growth by cleaning with a phenolic or pine-oil cleaner (non-ammonia detergent, soap or commercial cleaner) and disinfecting with a 10 percent bleach solution (1-1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon of water). Then dry and monitor for several days. If any mold develops, throw the item away.
•  Thoroughly dry out the building’s interior. Portable dehumidifiers are useful, and rental costs may be covered under your flood policy. An air conditioner can also be used to start the drying-out process.
• Help damaged walls dry out. If the walls are damaged, take photographs of the baseboard. Then remove the baseboard.  Knock small holes at floor level in the drywall, between the wall studs. This will let moisture trapped behind the drywall seep out.
• Have your furnace checked for damage. Your water heater may work, but if the floodwater covered part of, or the entire tank, the insulation between the walls may be damaged. Obtain an estimate to replace the damaged furnace and water heater.