Storm and flood damage: the short answer
Stay safe first: avoid floodwater, downed lines and damaged structures. Then document everything, cover openings to stop more water getting in and start drying as soon as it's safe. Whether insurance pays depends on how the water got in: wind-driven rain through a damaged roof is usually a homeowners claim, while rising floodwater needs a separate flood policy. Call (413) 555-0147 to speak with a local restoration company about storm or flood damage in Westfield and nearby towns.
On this page
Does this cover your problem?
- water came in through a roof, window or wall damaged by wind, hail or a falling tree
- heavy rain flooded the basement or ran in under doors
- a river, stream or street flooding pushed water into the house
- snowmelt and rain overwhelmed the sump pump
- a power outage during a storm stopped the sump pump
For other types of water damage, see our page on water damage restoration across the Westfield area.
Westfield's history with storms and floods
Westfield sits in the floodplain of the Westfield River and is still considered flood-prone, even with its system of pumps, dikes, waterways and upstream dams. Some history explains why:
- 1936: a flood on the Westfield and Connecticut rivers led the Army Corps of Engineers to build the Knightville Dam upstream in Huntington, finished in 1941 and used only for flood control.
- 1955: rain from Hurricane Diane, days after Hurricane Connie, flooded most of downtown Westfield when the Little River overflowed. The Westfield River dike burst at Meadow Street, where holes had been cut for a sewer pumping station, and about 100 buildings were destroyed, according to The Reminder's 2015 retrospective.
- 2011: on June 1, an EF3 tornado touched down in Westfield's Munger Hill section and tracked through West Springfield, Springfield and towns to the east.
- 2014: an August downpour caused localized flooding on Mainline Drive and Court Street, as reported by The Westfield News.
Read more in Westfield River flood history and how to check your flood risk.
After the storm: safety first
Don't let the cleanup be more dangerous than the storm.
- Don't walk or drive through floodwater. It can be deeper and faster than it looks and may be contaminated.
- Stay away from downed power lines and keep out of flooded rooms until the power is off.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company or 911 from outside.
- Watch for sagging ceilings and damaged structures after wind or tree damage.
- Treat floodwater as contaminated. The IICRC S500 standard puts rising floodwater in Category 3, the same as sewage.
Storm damage versus flood damage, for insurance
| How the water got in | Usually handled by |
|---|---|
| Wind or a tree damaged the roof and rain came in | Homeowners insurance |
| Rising water from a river, stream or overland flooding | A separate flood insurance policy, such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program |
| Water backed up through a floor drain | Often a sewer or water backup endorsement |
| Groundwater seeping through the foundation | Often excluded; check your policy |
FEMA notes that homeowners and renters insurance typically don't cover flood, that most new flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, and that the NFIP can insure a single-family home for up to $250,000 and its contents for up to $100,000. See our water damage insurance guide.
What happens during storm and flood cleanup
Stop more water getting in
Damaged roofs and windows are tarped or boarded up, often by a roofer or the restoration company.
Remove water and debris
Water is pumped and extracted, and mud and debris are cleared.
Remove contaminated materials
After floodwater, porous materials it touched are usually removed.
Clean, disinfect and dry
Surfaces are cleaned and the structure is dried with daily moisture readings.
Rebuild
Repairs follow once the house is dry. See water damage repair.
Check your flood risk
You can look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to see whether you're in a mapped flood zone. Being outside a high-risk zone doesn't mean you can't flood, and heavy rain floods basements far from any river. Because most new flood policies don't take effect for 30 days, the time to decide is before a storm is in the forecast.
Storm and flood damage help near you
We take calls from all of Westfield, including the North Side and South Side along the river, and from West Springfield and Agawam, which share the lower Westfield River, as well as Holyoke, Southwick and Southampton.
What affects the cost
- clean rainwater through a roof versus contaminated floodwater
- how many rooms and floors were affected
- emergency tarping or board-up
- mud, debris and belongings to remove
- drying time and the rebuild
See the cost guide for how to compare estimates.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can you tarp or board up the damage today?
- How will you handle floodwater-contaminated materials?
- Will you document the damage for my homeowners and flood insurers separately?
- Are you a registered Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor?
- Do you work with roofers, or should I call one myself?
What to have ready when you call
- your address or nearest cross street, and the town
- what happened and where: which floor, which room, the basement or the ceiling
- whether the water is still running and whether you've shut it off
- roughly when it started and how large the wet area is
- whether the water is clean (a supply line), from a drain or toilet, or came in from outside
- whether you own or rent, and whether you plan to file an insurance claim
- whether the roof, windows or walls are still open to the weather
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in Massachusetts?
Typically not. FEMA notes that homeowners and renters insurance don't typically cover flood damage, which needs a separate flood policy. Wind-driven rain through a storm-damaged roof is usually handled by homeowners insurance.
How long is the waiting period for flood insurance?
Most new National Flood Insurance Program policies have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect, with some exceptions, such as a policy bought in connection with a new mortgage.
Is Westfield in a flood zone?
Parts of it are. Westfield lies in the Westfield River floodplain and is considered flood-prone despite its flood control system. Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Is floodwater dangerous to clean up?
It can be. Floodwater is treated as contaminated, like sewage, and can hide debris and electrical hazards. Wear protective gear or leave it to professionals.
Should I tarp my roof myself after a storm?
Only from the ground or if it's truly safe. Climbing a wet or damaged roof is dangerous. Roofers and many restoration companies provide emergency tarping.