Water Extraction Guides · Causes & Prevention

How Hurricanes Cause Flooding That Needs Water Extraction

A hurricane brings water to a home in several ways at once, and that combination is what makes hurricane flooding different from an ordinary rain event. Heavy rain falls for hours, wind drives that rain against walls and through gaps, and water pushed in from the coast and from waterways can rise around a home. Each of these brings water inside, and each of them needs the same careful response: safety first, then a professional.

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This guide gives general context on how hurricanes cause flooding that needs water extraction, for homes across Louisiana, from Ruston to Hammond. No claim is made here about any specific storm or any specific place. For the service itself, the flood water extraction page gives a general outline.

Rain that falls for hours

The first way a hurricane brings water is rain, falling steadily for hours rather than in a short downpour. The ground saturates, the drains fill, and water gathers around a home faster than it can drain away. Low doorways, gaps at the base of walls, and low windows become entry points, and water that would drain away in an ordinary storm has nowhere to go.

Rain can also enter from above. Wind drives rain against walls and under roof edges, and a roof that is sound in ordinary weather can let water in when the rain is driven sideways for hours. Water that enters through the roof travels down inside walls before it shows on the floor below, so the damage can be wider than the wet patch on the floor suggests.

Water pushed in from outside

The second way a hurricane brings water is water pushed in from the coast and from waterways. Strong winds push water toward the shore and up rivers and bayous, and the water level rises around homes near the water. This water is not clean water: it carries soil, debris, and contaminants, and it should not be waded through or handled without care.

Water that rises around a home enters at the lowest points first, and it can rise quickly once it finds a way in. If water is rising around your home, leave the area if you can do so safely, and do not try to hold the water back or to move belongings through it. Safety comes before property, every time.

The rain in a hurricane is different from the rain in an ordinary storm because it lasts. It falls steadily for hours rather than in a short downpour, and the ground saturates, the drains fill, and water gathers around a home faster than it can drain away. Low doorways, gaps at the base of walls, and low windows become entry points, and water that would drain away in an ordinary storm has nowhere to go.

How Hurricanes Cause Flooding That Needs Water Extraction — Louisiana water guide

Wind damage that lets water in

The third way a hurricane brings water is through damage the wind itself causes. A roof covering lifted by wind, a window broken by debris, or a door forced open by the wind all become openings for rain to enter, and the water that comes through them falls directly into the rooms below. These openings are often found only after the storm has passed, when the water inside the home is already extensive.

After the storm, do not climb onto a roof to check for damage, and do not enter a flooded building. The structure of the home may have been affected in ways that are not visible from the ground, and the water inside may have reached electrics. Wait for a professional to assess the home.

Wind damage opens new ways in. A roof covering lifted by wind, a window broken by debris, or a door forced open by the wind all become openings for rain to enter, and the water that comes through them falls directly into the rooms below. These openings are often found only after the storm has passed, when the water inside the home is already extensive.

The first steps after the storm

Once the storm has passed and it is safe to approach the home, call a professional from a dry place. The number is (877) 624-0105, and availability is confirmed on the call. Describe what happened, where the water is, how deep it is, and how far it has spread. Mention whether the water has reached electrics, and whether the home is safe to approach at all.

Do not try to start the extraction yourself. Flood water needs professional-only handling, because it carries contaminants and hides hazards, and the equipment used for it is operated by someone who knows how to use it safely. Your job is to stay safe, give clear information, and keep the affected area clear.

After the storm, the first step is a call from a dry place, once it is safe to approach the home. Describe what happened, where the water is, how deep it is, and how far it has spread, and mention whether the water has reached electrics. Do not climb onto a roof to check for damage, and do not enter a flooded building, because the structure may have been affected in ways that are not visible from the ground.

What extraction covers after hurricane flooding

When the technician arrives, the first job is a careful look at the home. The depth and spread of the water are judged, the rooms affected are mapped, and the entry points of the water are noted. Extraction then takes out the standing and trapped water, working room by room from the worst affected, and the drying stage that follows deals with dampness left in materials. Moisture readings through drying decide when the job is finished.

In the weeks after the job, watch the affected area for new damp spots or a musty smell, and call if anything appears. Preparing a home for hurricane season is covered in its own guide elsewhere on this site.

Preparing a home for hurricane season is covered in its own guide elsewhere on this site, and the preparation is worth doing before the season starts. A home that is checked, cleared, and ready before the season is a home that stands a better chance when the weather turns, and the preparation itself teaches the homeowner where the water gathers and where the shut-off is.

Key Takeaways

The first way a hurricane brings water is rain, falling steadily for hours rather than in a short downpour.
The second way a hurricane brings water is water pushed in from the coast and from waterways.
The third way a hurricane brings water is through damage the wind itself causes.
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to approach the home, call a professional from a dry place.
When the technician arrives, the first job is a careful look at the home.

Questions About How Hurricanes Cause Flooding That Needs Water Extraction

How does a hurricane flood a home?

In several ways at once: heavy rain falling for hours, water pushed in from the coast and from waterways, and wind damage that opens the roof, windows, or doors to the rain. Each brings water inside, and each needs the same careful response.

Is hurricane flood water safe to wade through?

No. It carries soil, debris, and contaminants, and it hides hazards under the surface. Stay out of the water, keep children and pets clear, and let a professional assess the home before anyone enters.

What should I do first after the storm?

Once it is safe to approach the home, call a professional from a dry place and describe what happened, where the water is, and how far it has spread. Do not climb onto a roof, and do not enter a flooded building.

Does extraction cover hurricane flood water?

Yes. Extraction takes out the standing and trapped water, working room by room, and the drying stage that follows deals with dampness left in materials. Moisture readings through drying decide when the job is finished.

Your Next Step

If this guide matches what you found at home, the next step is a visit — not a guess. Call and describe what you found, and the visit is arranged from what you describe. The Flood Water Extraction page explains what that service covers, and the water removal page explains what that service covers when water has spread to more than one room.

Do not enter flooded rooms while you wait, and if water is leaking, turn off the shut-off valve for that fixture where you can reach it safely from dry ground.

Keep the guides on this site bookmarked: the first guide, the signs guide, and the preparation guide cover the checks worth repeating — after moving in, and after bringing used fixtures home.

Water extraction help is available across Louisiana. See water extraction in Pierremont, Shreveport, LA for one local example, or find your town on the service areas page.