Before and After a Flood

A flooded street in Hartford, CT

The City of Hartford wants to encourage all property owners to take the necessary precautions to protect their home, their family, their businesses and other assets during severe weather.

Before A Flood

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests the following steps to being Flood Ready

  1. Know your Flood Risk - Look up your address in the Flood Map Service Center to learn if you live, work, or travel in areas that are prone to flooding. 
  2. Purchase Flood Insurance - Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Do an annual “insurance check-up” with your agent to make sure you have the right coverage and amounts of coverage. 
  3. Take Inventory of the property - Take photos and videos of all major household items and valuables. Retain these documents in a safe place because they are important when filing insurance claims. 
  4. Store Important Documents - Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records, and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep original documents in a watertight safety deposit box. 

For more information, visit www.floodsmart.gov/first-prepare-flooding 

Other Storm Safety Tips

  • Clear any debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid an accumulation of water in and around your property.
  • Move furniture and valuables to a safe place, out of a basement or areas that experience flooding.
  • On your street, take a look at the nearest catch basin and clear debris from the top to allow rainwater to flow in freely.
  • Make sure flash lights are charged or have batteries, and you have some non-perishable food in case the power goes out.
  • Keep phones and electronic devices charged.
  • Stay home – do not go for walks, as high winds can carry debris or knock down trees.
  • Move cars away from trees that could drop branches. Bring in patio furniture.
  • Fill containers with drinking water and fill bathtub with water to flush toilets.  
  • Generators should be set up and run away from closed spaces and away from homes.

During A Flood

Stay Safe and Seek Shelter

It is important that you stay safe and seek shelter during heavy rainfall and flash flood warnings.

Safety Tips

  • Stay home – do not go for walks, as high winds can carry debris or knock down trees.
  •  Avoid driving down flooded roads, as you could get stuck in the water.  If you do get trapped, call 911
  • Anyone who loses power should report outages to Eversource and check on restoration times by calling 1-800-286-2000 or through Eversource.com.
  • If a wire is downed, always assume it is live, avoid touching it, do not drive over it and do not move it. Call 911.
  • While seeking shelter from the heavy rainfall or charging devices at a friends, remember that Covid-19 is still with us. Mask Up and Stay Safe. 

After a Flood

Document damage and start clean up

Rebuilding after a flood is no easy task, but here are some tips from FEMA on how to begin documenting your damage.

  1. Take Photos and videos - Take photos and videos of the damage, including structural and personal property damage on the inside and outside of your home, before discarding items. Remember to take photos of the insides of closets and cabinets. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to prepare your claim. 
  2. Record Serial Numbers - Take photos of the serial numbers for large appliances, such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators. 
  3. Keep receipts - If possible, provide receipts to your adjuster to document damaged property for your flood claim. 
  4. Retain all material samples - Keep samples of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, window treatments, and other items for your adjuster. The type and quality of material may impact the amount of your claim. 
  5. Contact repair services - If the building’s electrical, water, or HVAC systems are damaged you should initiate repairs. Consult your insurance adjuster or insurance company before you sign any cleaning, remediation, or maintenance agreement.  

On August 10, 2023, Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that the application for this program will go live on September 1, 2023.

Established through the adoption of the Governor’s 2024-2025 biennium budget, this $5,000,000 pilot program will be overseen by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), administered by Dr. Gary Rhule, and charged with providing financial assistance or reimbursement to eligible owners of real property in the city of Hartford who experienced damage caused by flooding on or after January 1, 2021.

Beginning September 1, in order to obtain reimbursement, property owners who believe they are eligible must:

  1. Visit osc.ct.gov/HartfordFlood or Blue Hills Civic Association (Temporary address at the Colin Bennett Building: 1229 Albany Avenue, Third Floor, Suite 306, Hartford, CT) to obtain an application.
  2. Submit a completed application and supporting documentation to HartfordFloodHelp@ct.gov, Blue Hills Civic Association, or OSC (Attention: Office of the State Comptroller/Hartford Flood Compensation Program, 165 Capitol Ave., Hartford 06106).
  3. Await claim review by the program administrator.
  4. If notified by the grant administrator they are eligible for potential reimbursement, arrange a home inspection via an approved DCP-licensed inspector or an MDC-provided inspector.
  5. Await inspection report review by the program administrator.
  6. Approved applicants will have payments sent to the applicant’s residential address listed on the application.

Applications will be accepted beginning September 1, 2023. There is no deadline for submission, but it is a first come, first served program until funds are depleted. Applicants wishing to appeal any decision will have 30 days to do so via a third-party appeals administrator.

Questions can be directed to HartfordFloodHelp@ct.gov.

Steps are further outlined in the graphic below.

 

Flood Program Info Graphic

To report a backup or sewer emergency, contact MDC Command Center (860) 278-7850 (press 1) or (860) 278-7850 Ext. 3600 (Available 24/7)

 Signs of a Sewer Backup:

  • You will have limited or no sewer service within the property
  • You may notice water bubbling out of a sewer manhole in the street.

Sometimes sanitary sewer pipes fail or become blocked, causing sewage to backup through the sewer lateral into unprotected plumbing fixtures such as tubs, toilets or washing machine drains in basements.

Sewer Backup Prevention & Reporting Program Brochure(PDF, 481KB)
Water & Sewer Service Installation Program(PDF, 527KB)

Click here to view form.

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