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Storm and flood water
Storm and Flood Water Removal in Mesquite, TX
When water comes in from outside, it’s contaminated water. Stay out of it, shut off power only if you can do it safely, and call. We pump it out, take out what can’t be saved and dry the structure.
Short answer
Water that comes into your house from outside, under a door, through the garage or through a low window, is Category 3 under the IICRC standard because of what it picked up on the way. Don’t wade through it with the power on, keep kids and pets out, take photos, and call. A standard Texas homeowners policy doesn’t cover rising water from outside. That takes a separate flood policy.
Category 3
Water that comes in from outside
Not covered
Rising water, by a standard homeowners policy
30 days
Usual wait before a new NFIP flood policy takes effect
12.42 inches
Recorded by one gauge near Mesquite on August 22, 2022
Is it safe to be in the house?
Not until you’ve run through this list.
- Electricity. Don’t stand in water if the power is on, and don’t touch outlets, cords or appliances that are wet. If you’d have to stand in water to reach the breaker panel, don’t. Call an electrician or your electric utility.
- Don’t walk or drive through floodwater. The National Weather Service’s advice is Turn Around, Don’t Drown. You can’t see what’s under the surface, and moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
- Treat it as contaminated. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals and bacteria. Keep children and pets out, and wear boots and gloves if you have to be in it.
- Gas. If you smell gas, leave and call 911.
Why does Mesquite get floodwater in houses?
Mesquite gets its rain in bursts. On August 22, 2022, one volunteer rain gauge near Mesquite recorded 12.42 inches. On June 19, 2026, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning that listed Mesquite, with 2 to 3 inches of rain already down. When that much water lands on clay and concrete, it has nowhere to go but downhill.
Water usually gets into a house one of three ways:
- From outside. Street and yard water overtops a door threshold or comes under the garage door. Houses on low-lying streets and near creeks, like South Mesquite Creek and North Mesquite Creek, are the most exposed.
- Up through the drains. When heavy rain overloads the sewer lines, floor drains, tubs and toilets can back up. That’s a sewage backup and it has its own rules.
- Through the roof or walls. Wind-driven rain and storm damage let water in from above. See ceiling water damage.
Who do I call in Mesquite when the streets or yards are flooding?
- Flooding from streets or drainage: the City of Mesquite Storm Water Specialist at 972-329-8537, or the myMesquite app.
- Water or sewer emergencies, 24 hours a day: 972-288-7711.
- Anywhere life is at risk: 911.
What do you do with floodwater inside a house?
Under the IICRC S500 standard, water that enters from outside is Category 3. It gets treated as contaminated, so the work is different from a clean leak.
- Protect the crew and your house. Protective gear, and containment where needed so contamination doesn’t spread to dry rooms.
- Pump and extract. Submersible pumps for deep water, then truck-mounted or portable extractors.
- Remove what can’t be saved. Carpet and pad always go. Drywall, insulation and other porous materials that touched floodwater generally come out too, with a photo and a reason for each.
- Clean and disinfect. Hard surfaces and the exposed structure are cleaned and treated with antimicrobial products.
- Dry and verify. Dehumidifiers and air movers run until readings meet the dry standard. HEPA air scrubbers go in when contamination or mold is a concern.
Why can’t I keep the carpet? Floodwater carries whatever it crossed on the way: street runoff, yard chemicals, sewage from overloaded lines. Carpet and pad hold onto it, and no amount of cleaning gets it out of the pad. So they go.
What does insurance cover when water comes in from a storm?
| Source of the water | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Rising water from outside, such as creek overflow or street runoff | Not covered by a standard homeowners policy. It takes a separate flood policy. |
| Rain that enters because a storm first damaged your roof or a window | Often covered by homeowners insurance, depending on the policy and the cause |
| Sewer or drain backup | Only with a water backup endorsement |
| Burst pipe or appliance failure | Usually covered by homeowners insurance |
Flood insurance is sold through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and by some private insurers. A new NFIP policy usually doesn’t take effect for 30 days, so it can’t be bought as a storm approaches. NFIP covers up to $250,000 for a home’s structure and $100,000 for its contents. It’s worth asking your agent about a flood policy before the next storm, not after it.
I don’t have flood insurance. Now what? Document everything and start drying anyway, because that limits the damage. Then call your agent and tell them how the water got in. A storm that damaged your roof or a window first can be a different cause from rising water. If a federal disaster declaration covers your county, check FEMA’s disaster assistance too, but don’t count on it.
What do I do after the water goes down?
- Photograph and film everything before you move or discard anything.
- Don’t turn the power back on if outlets or the panel got wet. Have an electrician check it first.
- Throw out food, medicine and cosmetics that touched floodwater.
- Call your insurance agent, and your flood insurer separately if you have one.
- Start drying quickly. Mold can begin growing on wet drywall, pad and wood within 24 to 48 hours.
Flood water questions, answered
Is floodwater always Category 3?
Under the IICRC standard, water that comes in from outside, such as rising water from creeks or runoff from streets and yards, is Category 3 because of what it has touched. Rain that comes through a damaged roof is judged differently, but any water can worsen over time if it sits.
Does homeowners insurance cover water that comes in under the door?
Not if it’s rising water from outside. A standard Texas homeowners policy excludes it, and covering it takes a separate flood policy. Wind-driven rain through a storm-damaged roof or window is a different situation and is often covered.
How is flood damage different from a sewage backup?
Both are Category 3 and both mean contaminated water. The difference is the source and the insurance. Floodwater comes from outside and needs a flood policy. A backup comes up through your drains and needs a water backup endorsement.
Can I stay in my house after a flood?
If Category 3 water reached living areas, keep children, pets and anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system out of the affected area until it’s been cleaned. Whether the rest of the house is livable depends on power, water and how far the contamination spread.
How fast do I need to start drying?
As soon as it’s safe. Mold can start in 24 to 48 hours on wet materials, and the longer water sits the more of the structure it reaches.
Who do I report street flooding to?
The City of Mesquite Storm Water Specialist at 972-329-8537, or the myMesquite app. For water or sewer emergencies at any hour, call 972-288-7711.
How much does flood water removal cost?
Published Dallas ranges for Category 3 water are about $7.00 to $7.50 per square foot, plus drying equipment when it’s billed separately. Your written estimate comes before any work starts. The cost guide has the full breakdown.
Can I pump out my garage myself after a storm?
If the water is shallow and the power to the garage is off, you can start removing it, but treat it as floodwater. Wear boots and gloves, and don’t use household electrical equipment in it. Water that reached drywall, insulation or living areas needs professional extraction. See our emergency water extraction in Mesquite page.
Keep reading
Floodwater in your house? Stay out and call.
Tell us how deep it got and which rooms it reached. We will tell you what we are bringing and what happens next.
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3213 I-30, Suite 301, Mesquite, TX 75150 · (972) 555-0147 · Get directions