2008 University of Missouri Extension Disaster Recovery ... · cans that are not bulging or damaged...

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To seek additional help, contact your local MU Extension center using the listing on the last page of this publication or visit MU Extension on the Web at extension. missouri.edu. U sing science-based knowledge, University of Missouri Extension engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions. Following the 1993 flood, MU Extension established its Community Emergency Management Program and led an effort to form the national Extension Disaster Education Network to help communities and individuals prepare for and respond to disasters. Based on lessons learned during both the 1993 and 1995 floods, this packet is designed to help you get your life back to normal after a flood. Contents Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Restoration ..................................... 2 Steps toward cleanup .............................................................................................................. 2 Structural condition................................................................................................................. 2 Electrical systems .................................................................................................................... 2 Food and water sanitation ....................................................................................................... 2 Cleaning and disinfecting ........................................................................................................ 3 Household appliances............................................................................................................. 3 Mildew prevention .................................................................................................................. 3 Removing mildew from household articles .............................................................................. 4 Wall restoration....................................................................................................................... 4 Floor coverings........................................................................................................................ 4 Furniture ................................................................................................................................. 5 Information and referrals ......................................................................................................... 6 Financial Recovery and Risk Management .................................................................................. 7 Documenting losses and claims .............................................................................................. 7 Filing for insurance.................................................................................................................. 7 Credit and other sources of relief ............................................................................................. 9 Federal disaster assistance ....................................................................................................... 9 Contracting for repairs and rebuilding ..................................................................................... 9 Buyer beware ........................................................................................................................ 10 Children Need Special Attention ............................................................................................... 11 Reentering Your Flooded Home ............................................................................................... 12 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Cleaning and Repairing Flooded Basements .............................................................................. 13 (North Dakota State University) Salvaging Water-damaged Belongings ....................................................................................... 15 (LSU AgCenter) Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Flooded Home ........................................................................ 19 (LSU AgCenter) Reducing Bacteria in Clothing and Textiles ............................................................................... 21 (Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service) University of Missouri Extension Centers .................................................................................. 23 University of Missouri Extension Resources for Your Flooded Home 2008 Disaster Recovery an equal opportunity/ADA institution

Transcript of 2008 University of Missouri Extension Disaster Recovery ... · cans that are not bulging or damaged...

To seek additional help, contact your local MU Extension center using the listing on the last page of this publication or visit MU Extension on the Web at extension.missouri.edu.

Using science-based knowledge, University of Missouri Extension engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions.

Following the 1993 flood, MU Extension established its Community Emergency Management Program and led an effort to form the national Extension Disaster Education Network to help communities and individuals prepare for and respond to disasters.

Based on lessons learned during both the 1993 and 1995 floods, this packet is designed to help you get your life back to normal after a flood.

ContentsCleaning Flood-Damaged Homes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Restoration ..................................... 2

Steps toward cleanup .............................................................................................................. 2Structural condition ................................................................................................................. 2Electrical systems .................................................................................................................... 2Food and water sanitation ....................................................................................................... 2Cleaning and disinfecting ........................................................................................................ 3Household appliances ............................................................................................................. 3Mildew prevention .................................................................................................................. 3Removing mildew from household articles .............................................................................. 4Wall restoration ....................................................................................................................... 4Floor coverings........................................................................................................................ 4Furniture ................................................................................................................................. 5Information and referrals ......................................................................................................... 6

Financial Recovery and Risk Management .................................................................................. 7Documenting losses and claims .............................................................................................. 7Filing for insurance .................................................................................................................. 7Credit and other sources of relief ............................................................................................. 9Federal disaster assistance ....................................................................................................... 9Contracting for repairs and rebuilding ..................................................................................... 9Buyer beware ........................................................................................................................ 10

Children Need Special Attention ............................................................................................... 11

Reentering Your Flooded Home ............................................................................................... 12 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Cleaning and Repairing Flooded Basements .............................................................................. 13 (North Dakota State University)

Salvaging Water-damaged Belongings ....................................................................................... 15 (LSU AgCenter)

Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Flooded Home ........................................................................ 19 (LSU AgCenter)

Reducing Bacteria in Clothing and Textiles ............................................................................... 21 (Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service)

University of Missouri Extension Centers .................................................................................. 23

University of Missouri Extension

Resources for Your Flooded Home2008

DisasterRecovery

an equal opportunity/ADA institution

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 2 - MUExtension•July2008

Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes:A Step-by-Step Guide to RestorationCaution — before doing anything:

•Inspectforstructuraldamagefromoutsidetodetermineif the house is safe to enter.

•Watchforelectricalshortsandlivewires.Electricalsafety is very important in floods. Make sure that electrical service is disconnected and cannot be turned on before entering any structure.

•Turnoffanyoutsidegaslinesatthetankormeter,andlet the building air out for several minutes to remove gas fumes.

•Wearsturdyshoes,rubberglovesandeyeprotection.•Ifmoldispresent,weararespiratorthatcanfiltermold

spores.•Nevermixchlorinebleachwithammoniaorvinegar.

(Formoreinformation,seeReentering Your Flooded Home by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on page 12.)

Steps toward cleanup1.Seethateveryoneisoutofdangerofnewfloodcrests,

fallingbuildings,fireorotherhazards.2. Contact your insurance agent immediately. Give your

name,addressandaphonenumberwhereyoucanbereached.(Formoreinformation,seeFinancial Recovery and Risk Management on page 7.)

3.Takepicturesofthedamagebeforebeginningcleanup.4.Keepaccuraterecords.Listallcleanupandrepairbills,

flood-relatedlivingexpensesandactuallosses,suchasfurniture,appliancesandclothing.

5.Theadjusterwillassessdamagetothehouse.Theowner should sign a proof-of-loss statement. Additional damage can be added when found.

If you have a question or problem with your insurance carrier,contacttheMissouriDepartmentofInsuranceat800-726-7390.

Structural conditionMaking sure the foundation is sound is a critical step.

One sign of foundation damage is floors that have settled or

bulged.Ifthehouseorporchrestsonanopenfoundation,make sure there is no danger of the structure collapsing before you remove debris from underneath.

Walls that show evidence of settling or cracking may have been undermined. Residents may have to dig down to the footings and reinforce or replace any that have settled. Whenneeded,fillunderfootingswithmasonryorconcrete,not earth or gravel.

(Formoreinformation,seeCleaning and Repairing Flooded Basements by North Dakota State University Extension Service on page 13.)

Electrical systems•Besureutilitiesaredisconnectedbeforeenteringthe

buildingforthefirsttime.•Disconnectthemainswitchandallcircuits.Ifthemain

switchislocatedinthebasement,besureallfloodwater is pumped out before attempting any work on electrical systems.

•Removecoversfromalloutletsandfuseorbreakerboxes,andflushwithcleanwater.

•Drycontactsandspraywithcleaner/lubricant.•Haveanelectriciancheckforgroundfaultsandother

unsafe conditions and equipment before reconnecting systems.

Equipment and wiring that appears to be safe soon after floodingmayfailprematurelyandbecomeafireorshockhazard.Replacementisoftenthebestoption.Circuitbreakers that have been submerged should be replaced.

Food and water sanitationUntil your local water utility or county health department

declaresyourwatersourcesafe,purifyallwater.Thisincludes not only water for drinking and cooking but also forwashinganypartofthebody,brushingyourteethorwashing dishes.

Tosterilizewater,useoneofthesemethods:•Boilvigorouslyfor3minutes.

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•Addunscentedchlorinelaundrybleach(½teaspoonper2½gallonsofwater).

•Addtinctureofiodine(12dropspergallonofwater).

Food safety after a floodAfteraflood,discardallfoods,includinggardenproduce,

that have come in contact with flood waters. Contamination canoccuriffilthanddiseaseinfloodwaterscovers,dripsor seeps into food. Only foods sealed in airtight metal cans that are not bulging or damaged and have been properlysanitizedcanbesaved.Ifyouareunsureabouttheconditionofanyfood,throwitaway.

Discardfoodspackedinfoil,cellophane,paper,clothorcardboard that have come in contact with flood waters. Evenifthecontentsseemdry,theymaynotbesafe.

Discardfloodedmeats,fish,poultry,freshfruitsandvegetables as well as foods packaged in crown-capped bottlesandglassorplasticjarsandbottles.Filthfromfloodwaters can get under the lip of these lids and contaminate food.

Onlyfoodsinsealed,airtightmetalcansaresafeforuse.Carefullycleananddisinfectthecansbeforeopening,usingoneofthefollowingtwomethods:Method 1:

•Removelabelsandmarkthecontentsonthecanswitha permanent marker.

•Washcansinastrongdetergentsolution.Useascrubbrush to remove all dirt.

•Todisinfect,immersecansfor2minutesinasolutionof1 tablespoon household unscented laundry bleach and 1 gallon of water.

•Rinseindisinfectedwater.•Airdry(towelsspreadbacteria).

Method 2:•Placecansinboilingwater,andboilfor10minutes.

Cans will not explode. Do not boil longer than 10 minutes.

•Throwawaycansthatarebulgingordamaged,astheyare not safe.

•Throwawayhome-cannedfoodscoveredwithfloodwater.Sterilizetheemptyjarsandrings,anddiscardtheflat.

Garden produce exposed to flood waters is not safe to eat. Donotattempttodisinfect,saveorpreservecrops—noteven root crops.

Ifplantssurvive,thenewproducethatformsonthemafterthe flood waters have receded is safe to consume. It will take about a month for gardens to become clean.

Foranswerstofoodsafetyquestions,callMUExtension'sShow-Me Nutrition Line.

Disinfecting kitchen utensils and cookware•Washpotsandpansandchinaandglassdishesand

cupsthathavebeencoveredbyfloodwaterswithhot,

soapy water. Use a brush to remove dirt. Dishes with deep cracks should be thrown away.

•Anypieceofequipmentthatcanbetakenapartshouldbecleanedinpieces.Dipinsanitizingbleachsolution(seeinstructionsforsanitizingcannedgoodsabove)andrinse in disinfected water.

•Plasticcookware,utensils,plates,dishesandcups,andwooden utensils and bowls cannot be disinfected if exposedtofloodwater.Theymustbethrownaway.Plastic baby bottles and nipples and storage containers also must be thrown away.

•Kitchenutensilsmadeofironprobablywillberusted.Removerustbyscouringwithsteelwool.Sterilizethemwith the bleach solution and re-season by applying a light coat of unsalted fat or oil and placing in a 350-degree oven for about an hour.

Cleaning and disinfecting•Washexposedskinparts(hands,feet,etc.)frequentlyin

purifiedwater.Wearrubberglovesforextraprotectionagainst contamination.

•Asfloodwatersrecede,useadisinfectanttocleanwallsand woodwork from top to bottom. A 3-gallon garden sprayer works well. One cup of household chlorine bleach per gallon of water can be used as a disinfectant. Scrub with a brush to help remove mud and silt.

•Rinsewithcleanwater.Drythoroughly.Ifutilitiesareon,useaheater,fanorairconditionertospeeddrying.

Household appliancesClean and dry submerged appliances before starting them.1.Withelectricityorfuelturnedoff,unplugandopenas

much as possible to rinse or wipe clean.2.Tilttodrainandaidquickdrying.Threedaystoaweek

is necessary for drying.3. Have an appliance repair person check each appliance

beforereconnecting.Mostmotorizedappliancescanbesaved.

(Formoreinformation,seeSalvaging Water-damaged Belongings by LSU AgCenter on page 15.)

Mildew preventionMildew may develop on damp or wet items in your

home. Mildew is a gray-white mold that leaves stains and rotsfabricunlessitisremovedpromptly.Topreventmildewdamage:

•Useanairconditionertoremovemoisture.Inhomesthatarenotair-conditioned,openasmanywindowsaspossible. Use fans to circulate air.

•Turnonelectriclightsinclosets,andleavedoorsopento dry.

•Letlightsstayonaslongasdampnessorhighhumidityis present to help dry and prevent mildew growth.

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Removing mildew from household articles

•Brushoffmoldandmildewgrowthoutdoorstopreventscattering of spores in the house.

•Runavacuumcleanerattachmentovertheareatodraw out more of the mold. Discard the vacuum bag immediately.

•Spongeanyremainingmildewwiththicksuds.Wipewithaclean,barelydampcloth.

•Wipethemildew-stainedareawithclothdampenedwith diluted alcohol [1 cup rubbing (denatured) alcohol to 1 cup of water] or a chlorine bleach solution (¼ teaspoon bleach to a cup of water). Dry thoroughly.

•Spraywithfungicideorothercommercialdisinfectant.•Usealow-pressurespraycontainingafungicidetoget

rid of musty odors and remaining mildew. Moisten all surfaces thoroughly. Respray frequently if mildew is a continuing problem. Spraying rooms with an aerosol material will not eliminate mildew problems.

•Ifmoldshavegrownintoinnerpartsoffurniture,sendthe furniture to a dry cleaning or storage company for thorough drying and fumigation. Fumigation will kill molds present at the time but will not protect against future attacks.

(Formoreinformation,seeAvoiding Mold Hazards in Your Flooded Home by LSU AgCenter on page 19.)

Wall restoration•Startcleaningfromthetopfloororupperlimitof

floodingandworkdownwardtowardthefirstfloororbasement.

•Washoutmud,dirtanddebrisassoonaspossiblewithahoseandmop,clothorsponge.Cleanwallsandfloors before silt or mud dries. Use low-suds household cleansers or laundry detergent. Rinse with 1 cup of household chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Scrub with a brush. Rinse again with clean water.

•Checkwallswithalevelorplumbbob.•Bracewallswherenecessary.•Checkmudsills,plates,solesandanchorage.Replaceor

repairwherenecessary,usingredwood,cedarortreatedlumber.

•Tospeedupdryingoffloodedstudsandinsulation,remove all siding strips or plaster from upper and lower parts of the walls.

•Leavewallsopenforuptofourweeksoruntiltheyhavethoroughly dried.

•Removelooseplaster.Afterhouseiscompletelydry,repair damaged plaster on walls and ceilings. Badly damaged plaster walls can be resurfaced with gypsum board or plywood.

Inner wallsWalls must dry from the inside out. Drill several holes in the walls near the inside floor line. If

waterdripsoutofthehole,drillorcutalargerholetoallowthe water to drain out.

Thetotaldryingtimewilldependpartiallyontheamountof dry air that can circulate through the studding.

InsulationMany types of insulation will be ruined if water-soaked

and will need replacing.Loose-fill insulation,suchasvermiculite,willsettle

to the bottom of walls and can be removed as it dries. If notremoved,loose-fillinsulationwillcreateodorsandeventually cause studding to decay.

Rock-wool batting insulation also will bunch and settle. If itisabsorbent,itwillcreateodorsandcouldcausestuddingdecay.

Fiberglass batting also will bunch but will not develop odors. Its insulating value will be greatly reduced.

Reflective surfaces,suchasaluminumfoil,probablywilllosetheirreflectiveability,thusdecreasingtheirinsulatingeffectiveness.Thematerialitselfshouldbeundamaged.

Wall finishes and coverings Plaster will take weeks or even months to dry but may not

beruinedbywater.Oldplaster,however,maydisintegrateafter being wet for a long time.

Drywall (plaster board) will warp and disintegrate in water. It will warp even above the water level. Submerged drywall must be replaced.

Laminated paneling (plywood or Masonite) will separate andwarpaboveandbelowthewaterlevel.Theextentof damage will depend on how long the paneling was submerged and how quickly moisture is removed from the studding. Slow drying decreases the possibility of studs delaminating.

Floor coverings

Carpets and rugsCarpets and rugs may be cleaned best by professionals.Tocleanthemyourself:1.Pullupwater-loggedcarpets,rugsandpads.2.Drythemoutsideonaclean,flatsurface,suchasa

concretedriveway.Iftherugisplacedfacedown,stainswill wick to the back instead of to the face yarns.

3.Hoseoffand,ifbadlysoiled,adddetergent.Workdetergent into carpet with a broom and rinse well. Removeasmuchwateraspossiblequicklyusingsteam,fansorwater-extractionequipment.Takecaretoavoidelectrical shock.

4.Todiscouragemildewandodors,rinsewithasolutionof 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 5 - MUExtension•July2008

Ifthecarpetiswool,donotaddbleach.5. Dry carpet and floor thoroughly before carpet is

replaced.Ifcarpetisputdownwet,itmaymildew.Carpet and backing may shrink.

6. Discard all padding.

SubfloorsLayers of submerged plywood subfloors may separate.

Sections that separate must be replaced to keep floor covering from buckling.

Whenfloorcoveringsareremoved,allowsubflooringtodrythoroughly—thismaytakeseveralmonths.Checkforwarping before installing new flooring.

Wood floorsCarefully remove a board every few feet to reduce

buckling caused by swelling. Consult a carpenter about removal techniques for tongue-and-groove boards.

Clean and dry floors thoroughly before replacing boards and attempting repairs. It may take several weeks or months.

Tile and sheet-vinyl floorsIfthesubmergedsubflooriswood,floorcovering

probably should be removed so the subflooring can be replaced.Iffloorhasnotbeensoaked,loosetilesmayberecemented after floor is thoroughly dry.

Ifsubflooringisconcrete,removingthefloorcoveringwillhasten the drying of slab. Removal may not be necessary if it would ruin an otherwise unharmed material.

Ifwaterhasseepedunderloosesectionsofsheetflooring,remove entire sheet.

Contactareputabledealertofindoutwhatsolventandtechnique will loosen the adhesive with the least damage to the floor. Ease of removal depends on the type of material and adhesive.

Furniture•Takefurnitureoutdoorstoclean.Hoseorbrushoff

mud.Allparts(drawers,doors,etc.)shouldberemoved.Remove or cut a hole in back to push out stuck drawers and doors.

•Dryslowlyoutofdirectsunlight.Heatfromthesunwill warp furniture. It may take several weeks to several months to dry.

Upholstered furnitureUpholstered furniture that has been submerged in flood

waters may be impossible to salvage if it has been badly soaked.Ifthepieceseemsworththeeffort,cleanandoilthesprings,replacestuffingandcleantheframe.Stuffing and covering

•Removefurniturecoveringsusingarippingtool,hammer,tackpuller,screwdriverorchisel.

•Removealltacksfromtheframe.•Washcoveringsasdescribedforcarpets.•Throwawayallcottonstuffing.Youcandry,fumigate

and reuse padding made of other materials.Springs and frame

•Wipeoffspringsandframe.•Dryallmetalpartsandcoatwithrust-inhibitingpaint.•Oilsprings.•Storewoodframeswheretheywilldryslowly.

Mattresses•Goodinnerspringmattressesshouldbesenttoa

commercialrenovatingcompany.Askaboutcost,sinceit could be less expensive to buy a good reconditioned or new mattress.

•Ifmattressesmustbeusedtemporarily,scrapeoffsurface dirt and expose it to sunlight to dry as much as possible. Cover mattress with a rubber sheet before using it.

•Flood-soiledmattressesmustbeprofessionallysterilizedby a professional. Ask the public health department for informationonmattresssterilizingplantsinyourarea.

•Havemattressesasdryaspossiblebeforetakingthemtobesterilized.Crop-dryingfansorhouseholdfansmayspeed up the drying process.

PillowsIfpillowshavebeenbadlysoaked,itmaynotbepossible

toremoveallobjectionableodors.Feather pillows

1.Iftickingisingoodcondition,washfeathersandtickingtogether.

2. Brush off surface dirt.3.Tocirculatewaterthroughpillows,openafewinchesof

the seam in opposite corners of the pillow; turn edges in; sew loosely with strong thread or fasten with safety pins.

4. Wash in machine or by hand in warm (not hot) suds for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a disinfectant in the wash cycle. If usinganautomaticwasher,donotwashmorethantwopillows at a time.

5.Rinseatleastthreetimesinclear,warmwater.6.Spinofforgentlysqueezeoutasmuchwateras

possible. Do not put pillows through a wringer.7.Dryinanautomaticdryeronmoderateheat,ordry

inawarmroomwithafan,oracrosstwoorthreeclotheslines. Put several bath towels in dryer with pillows to speed up drying. Allow at least 2 hours. Shake up feathers occasionally to hasten drying.

If ticking is not in good condition or if pillow is badly soiled,washfeatherandtickingseparately:

1.Transferfeathersintoamuslinbag2to3timeslargerthan the ticking. Open one edge of ticking and sew the open edges to the ticking and bag together. Shake

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 6 - MUExtension•July2008

feathers into muslin bag and close the seam on the bag.2.Washbagoffeathersinlukewarm,sudsywaterand

disinfectant. Repeat if necessary.3.Rinseinlukewarmwater,changingwaterseveraltimes.4.Squeezeoutasmuchwateraspossiblebyhand.Donot

use a wringer. 5.Toair-drythefeathers,hangthebagonalineby

twocorners.Changepositionsendtoend,andshakefeathers occasionally to speed drying.

6. Finish drying pillows by laying them on a flat surface or pinning them to a clothesline.

7. Wash the ticking.8.Withasponge,applyastarchsolutiontotheinsideof

the ticking.9.Transfercleanfeatherstosanitized,starchedticking,

using the same methods as for emptying.10. Close seam of ticking.

Polyester fiberfill pillows1. Brush off surface dirt. 2. Wash by hand in warm water and low-suds detergent.

Add a disinfectant to the wash water. Flush water throughpillowbycompressingit.(Twistingandwringingwilltearfilling).Changewaterandrepeatifnecessary.

3.Rinsethreetimesinclear,warmwater.4.Spinoffwaterinautomaticmachine.Tumbledryin

dryeratmoderatesettingwithseveralbathtowels,orpressoutasmuchwateraspossiblebyhand,andhangon clothesline outdoors to dry.

Foam rubber or urethane pillows1. Remove cover and brush off surface dirt. 2.Followmanufacturer'sdirectionsifavailable.Pillows

can be machine-washed on gentle cycle with lukewarm waterandadisinfectant.Tohandwash:soakpillowincoolwater,thenwashinwarmsudsbypushingdownonpillow,releasingandpushingdownagain.

3. Rinse well in lukewarm water following the same method for washing.

4.Gentlysqueezeorspinoutexcesswater.Blotwithtowels.

5. Dry away from heat and sunlight. Do not dry in dryer unless on an air-only setting. Pillows may dry very slowly in the air.

Information and referralsForinformationoncleaningclothingandtextiles,see

Reducing Bacteria in Clothing and Textiles by Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service on page 21.

Your local MU Extension center can help with food and watersafety,cleanupandrestorationquestionsorreferrals.

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 7 - MUExtension•July2008

Brenda ProcterConsumer and Family Economics Specialist, MU Extension

Asyouattempttorestoreyourlifeandhomeafterastorm,youwillfacemanydecisions.Inmanycases,thedecisionswillinvolvelargeinvestments.Naturally,youwillwanttorecover as much as possible through your homeowner’s insurancepolicy.Whereinsurancefallsshortofyourneeds,othertypesofassistancemaybeavailable,especiallyinplaces where the president has declared a disaster area. Uncovered claims are tax-deductible if they exceed 10 percentofyouradjustedgrossincome.Partofyourfinancialrecovery involves making good business decisions when contracting for repairs.

Documenting losses and claimsWhetheryouarefilingforinsurance,seekingassistance

orclaimingacasualtytaxdeduction,youwillneedproofofyourlosses.Beforeyoustartcleanup,takepictures.Ifyoucannottakepictures,describethesituationaccurately,listingthespecificitemsthathavebeenlostordamaged.Keepdamaged materials for proof of loss until your insurance adjusterauthorizestheirdisposal.ItisOKtoremovethedamaged articles from their original location to prevent furtherdamagetothebuilding,butdonotthrowthemawaywithout insurance company approval.

Remember to document the losses in your landscape andgarden.Also,documenttheamountofdebrisyouwillhavetoremove,andwhetheritcamefromyourpropertyor elsewhere. Some homeowner’s insurance policies cover debris removal.

•Saveallreceiptsfortemporarylodgingandfoodifyourhome is not livable. Some policies pay the difference between normal living expenses and the cost of living elsewhere.

•Savereceiptsfortemporaryrepairsyoumadetoprotectyour property from further damage.

•Savereceiptsforanymaterialsyouboughtandforother items you needed to protect your building or its contents from further damage. You may be able to claim

these on your homeowner’s insurance policy.•Keepacopyofalllettersandreceiptsthatyousendto

insurance companies or relief agencies.•Keeparecordofallphonecallsyoumadetoget

reimbursement or aid.

Filing for insuranceThesetipsareofferedtoguideyouinfilinginsurance

claims for damage to your home and loss of personal property:

•Callyourinsuranceadjusterimmediately,andprovidea phone number where you can be reached. If phone serviceisnotavailable,workthroughdisasterassistanceworkers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the American Red Cross for assistance in reachingyourinsuranceadjuster.

•Ifpossible,waitforanadjustertosurveydamage.Meanwhile,carefullydocumentlossesandbegincleanup and salvage to prevent further damage to your home. Keep damaged materials in an isolated spot as far from the building as possible.

•Followuponyourinsurancecallwithaletterdetailingyour problems. Keep a copy of the letter.

•Leavephonenumberswhereyoucanbereachedwhentheadjusterarrives.

•Asktheadjustertoassessdamages.Signtheproofofloss statement. Report additional damage as it is found.

•Provideanyotherinformationtheadjusterrequests.Besuretofileyourinsuranceclaimwithinthepolicy’s

imposedtimelimits.Forhomeowner’spolicies,itvaries.Review the settlement steps outlined in your policy. If you’re dissatisfiedwiththeproposedsettlementoffer,explainyourposition in writing.

TheMissouriDepartmentofInsurance(MDI)canhelpif you feel you are being treated unfairly by your insurer. An example would be if the company did not contact youwithin48hoursaftertheclaimwasreportedorifthecompanyrefusescoveragethatisspecifiedinyourpolicy.

FormoreinformationaboutMDI,call800-726-7390.

Financial Recovery and Risk Management

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Homeowner’s insuranceMany people are surprised about the extent of protection

a homeowner’s insurance policy offers. Although your homeowner’s policy does not cover damage caused by risingfloodwaters,itdoesoffersomeprotectionfromlosscausedbywind,rain,hail,snow,lightningandfreezingtemperatures. If you have experienced a loss or damage to property,reviewyourpolicy’sprovisionsandcontactyourinsuranceagenttofileaclaimand/ortoupdateyourpolicyto include coverage you need for the future.

Besureyourcoverageamountisatleast80percentofthecurrentreplacementcostofyourhome.Otherwise,you will not be paid the full cost of replacing a partial loss. Also,manyhomeownerspoliciespayforlossestoyourcontents(furniture,appliances,clothes,etc.)onanactualcash value basis (replacement cost minus depreciation for age or wear and tear). A better option is to buy replacement cost coverage that pays the full cost to replace your personal property at today’s prices. Although the premium costs are a littlehigher,theextraprotectionisusuallyworthit.

TipsThefollowingitemsareusuallycoveredbutmayvary

according to the policy’s provisions and up to the dollar amountsthatyoupurchased:

•Yourhouse,includingrentalunitsthatarepartofthebuilding,andanyattachmentstothebuildingsuchasagarage.

•Anystructuresonyourgroundsthatarenotattachedtoyourhousesuchasagarage,toolshed,poolcabana,gazeboorfences.

•Vacantlandthatyouownorrent,withtheexceptionoffarmland.

•Cemeteryplotsorburialvaultsthatyouown.•Personalpossessionsthatyouormembersofyour

householdownoruseanywhereintheworld.Thisincludes the contents of your house and any structures on your grounds. It also covers any possessions that guestsbringtoyourhouse,butitdoesnotincludethepossessions of any tenants you may have living in your home.

•Anyitemsthatfriendshavelenttoyouthatyouarekeeping on your property.

•Yourlivingexpensesifyourhouseisnotfittoliveinbecause of damage.

•Rentalpayments,ifyounormallyrentpartofyourhousebut no longer can because of damage.

Many policyholders may be unaware of the extent of the protection offered by their homeowner’s insurance. If you haveexperiencedalossordamagetoproperty,reviewyourpolicy’sprovisionsandcontactyourinsuranceagenttofileaclaimand/ortoupdateyourpolicytoincludethecoverageneeded for the future.

Astandardhomeowner’spolicydoesnotcovercars,most

recreationalvehicles,watercraft,animals,birdsorfish.Whilehomeowner’s insurance does not cover losses from rising water,itusuallydoescoverwaterdamagefromsuchthingsasleakingroofs,brokenwindowsandbrokenpipes.Mostpolicies do not cover sewer back up unless you purchase a sewer-backup endorsement.

You should know that if you are in a designated special floodhazardareaandyourstructureissubstantiallydamagedbyanyforce(wind,water,fire),youmayberequiredbythelocalpermitofficetomeettheflooddamage prevention requirements for new construction. Forresidentialstructures,thismeanselevation.Astructureis substantially damaged when the cost of restoring the structure to its pre-damage condition is 50 percent or more of its pre-damage market value.

Ownersofstructuresinspecialfloodhazardareascan partially insure themselves for the added expense of elevatingawind-orfire-damagedstructurebeforerepairsby purchasing a "Code Compliance" endorsement on their homeowner’s policy.

Flood insurance Losses caused by rising floodwater are not covered under

most homeowner insurance policies. If you have purchased coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program at least30daysbeforebeingaffectedbyaflood,youwillbeprotected against property damage caused by such flooding. You also may be partially reimbursed for steps you take to preventflooddamage,evenifthefloodneverreachesyourbuilding.

Flood insurance policies written or renewed on or after June1,1997,includeanendorsementcalledIncreasedCostofCompliance(ICC).Thiscoveragewillpayupto$15,000for elevating or relocating an insured dwelling so that it is above the flood protection elevation required for new construction.Fornonresidentialstructures,flooddamagepreventionusingothermethodsalsomaybecovered.Thecoverage may be used toward the cost of demolishing the flood-prone structure and building a new structure at the required elevation.

ICC coverage is available only for structures that have been substantially damaged by a current flood event for whichadamageclaimisbeingfiled.Incommunitieswithcumulativesubstantialdamageordinances,theeligibilityrequirements for this coverage are less stringent.

Thefloodinsuranceadjustermaysubmitadamageassessment form to the flood insurance program indicating thatsubstantialdamageissuspected.However,finalresponsibility for determining whether a structure has been substantially damaged rests with the community. In most Missouricommunities,thedeterminationwillbemadebyorthroughthefloodplainadministrator,whoisusuallythebuildingorpermitofficial.

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 9 - MUExtension•July2008

Credit and other sources of relief Victimsofnaturalhazardswhoselossesexceedtheir

insurancecoveragemayobtainloansorotherfinancialassistance.

•TheRedCrosshelpswithimmediatebuildingrepairsand living expenses when no other immediate assistance is available.

•Merchantsanddealersmayextendcreditforfeed,equipment and rehabilitation of buildings and land.

•TheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationprovideslow-interestdisasterloanstohomeowners,renters,businessesofallsizesandprivate,non-profitorganizations.Theseloansgotowardrepairorreplacementofrealestate,personalproperty,machineryandequipment,inventoryandbusinessassetsthathavebeen damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

•Commercialandfederallandbanksofferloanswithmoderatelylowinterestratesforhomerepairs,improvements,landequipmentandlivestock.

•Insurancecompaniesofferlong-termloansatrelativelyhighinterestratesforhomerepair,improvements,land,equipment and livestock.

•UninsuredlossesshouldbereportedasanadditionalitemizeddeductionsonfederalincometaxformScheduleAundercasualtylosses.Tobedeductible,lossesmustexceed10percentofadjustedgrossincome.

Federal disaster assistanceIfaneventisdeclaredasamajordisasterbythepresident,

numerous additional sources of federal assistance will becomeavailable.TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency will set up a disaster registration hotline and will usually work with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency to establish local disaster recovery centers.Thehotlineandrecoverycenterswillbesourcesofaccess to the various federal assistance programs.

InadditiontotheSBAloans,thesetypesofassistanceusuallyareavailable:

•Individualandfamilygrantsforthosewhodonotqualify for a loan

•Temporaryhousingassistance•Unemploymentassistance•Assistancewithrecoveryplanningandmitigationadvice•Legalservicestolow-incomefamiliesandindividuals•Crisiscounselingfordisaster-relatedmentalhealth

problems •SpecialincometaxadviceandtreatmentHousing rehabilitation assistance for low- and moderate-

income households also may be available in some communities through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs administered by local and state agencies.

Recipients of federal assistance for flood damage are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance on their

property. Owners of that property may not receive federal assistance in future floods unless the property is protected by flood insurance during those future floods.

Contracting for repairs and rebuilding

Selecting a contractorAs you attempt to restore your life and home after a

storm,theremaybeonlyafewlocalcompaniesandindividuals that perform the necessary services. It often may be advisable to make temporary repairs and wait for local contractors who will be there to guarantee their work long after the storm is over. If it is necessary to complete therepairs,however,itisimportanttoreceivegoodqualityworkormajordeteriorationmayappearlater.

Outside contractors and companies will enter the area to offer their services. Some are honest and will do an adequatejob,butbecarefulinworkingwithoutsidecontractors.

Ifpossible,checkwiththeBetterBusinessBureau,eitherin Missouri or in the state and city where the company or person is located. It also is advisable to check with others for whom they have worked in Missouri. Determine if they have performed in a timely and adequate manner.

Askforproofofinsurance.Thecontractormusthavedisabilityandworkers’compensationinsurance,oryoumaybe liable for accidents occurring on your property.

Do not pay in advance. Do not let the contractor begin workuntilyouhaveasignedcontract.Whenthejobiscompletetoyoursatisfaction,paybycheckorcreditcard—notcash.

Beforemakingthefinalpayment,askforprooffromthecontractorthatallsuppliershavebeenpaid.Otherwise,unpaid suppliers can legally put a lien on your property for settlement of bills if the property is sold.

Ifyoucannotfindacontractorwillingtoacceptthesebasicterms,strengthenthepatchesandwaitpatientlyuntilyoucanbesureofagoodjob.Evenundercriticalemergencyconditions,complete,high-qualityrepairsmustbedone,ordamageanddeteriorationwillappearlater.

Contract essentials A contract is the offer and acceptance (agreement) to do

specificthingsinaspecificmanner.Stateclearly,simplyandcompletelyallthatistobedone.Ifbeginningandfinishingdatesareinvolved,statetheminthebodyofthecontract.A good item to include in a home rebuilding contract is that materials and procedures used will follow the minimum standards of the current building code.

Guarantees. Include what is guaranteed and for how long. Also include who is responsible for the guarantee (contractor,dealerormanufacturer).

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 10 - MUExtension•July2008

Permits. State who is responsible for obtaining and paying for any required building permits.

Parties. Partiesinvolvedmustbeatleast18yearsofageand mentally competent. All parties must sign the contract.

For a consideration. Somethingofvaluechangeshands,usuallymoney.Theamounttobepaidandscheduleofpaymentsshouldbeincludedinthecontract.Thatscheduleshould be based on progress toward completion not on the passage of time. Exercise your right to inspect all work or to hire someone to inspect the work for you.

Change orders. Thecontractshouldspecifyprocedurestobe used to change the original work order. Keep a copy of the signed contract.

Withhold full payment until:•Thebuildingcontractororpersonhiredhaspaidforall

building supplies used. Require receipts for all paid bills for all materials used.

•Everythinghasbeencompletedonthejobtothefullsatisfaction of the contract and to the satisfaction of you or your inspector.

•Thecontractorhasprovidedyouwithreleasesoflienfromhimself/herself,fromsuppliersandfromlaborsubcontractors.

Buyer beware•Isthecontractorofferingyouaspecialdeal?Usingyour

homeasamodelforhisorherwork?Shyaway.•Istheoffertoogoodtobetrue?Besurethequalityis

there before you agree to buy.•Doesthecontractorwantcashonly?Findanother

contractor.•Didthecontractorsolicityourbusinessordidyou

initiatethecall?•Wereyoupressuredtosignacontract?Federallaw

gives you three days to cancel such a contract after you sign it. Send your notice of cancellation by registered mail.

•Doyouthinkyou’vebeenhad?Haveyoutriedtoresolveyourproblemwiththecontractor,butbeenunsuccessful?Don’tbeembarrassedtocalltheConsumer Protection Section of the Attorney General’s Officeat225-342-9638orthe24-hourConsumerInfo-line800-351-4889.

Adapted from Financial Recovery and Risk Management, LSU AgCenter.

Special thanks to Calvin Call, executive director of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, who reviewed this publication.

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Children Need Special AttentionSara GableHuman Development Specialist, MU Extension

Crisis-relatedstresscantakeitstollonyoungchildren,especially when parents are preoccupied with day-to-day survival.

Forchildrenanychangecanbestressful,especiallyprolonged changes.

Signs of stressParents can tell a lot about their child’s mental wellness by

observingtheirbehavior.Signsofstressmayinclude:•changesofhabits(eating,sleeping,anythingoutofthe

ordinary)•regressivebehavior•sleeplessness•troubleconcentrating•irritability•pooreyecontact•fidgetingParents can take steps to reduce stress and help their

children cope by talking about the family’s situation. Determining how much information to share with children is up to individual families. A good rule-of-thumb is to not overwhelm children with too much information at once.

Allowchildrentohandlethelossinsmalldoses,butbehonest about what is happening.

Tips for talking with childrenWhiletalkingwithchildren,keepthesepointsinmind:•Onlyofferinformationthechildiscapableof

understanding.Teenagerswillbeabletohandlemorefacts about the consequences of the disaster than a small child.

•Listentowhatchildrensayandaccepttheirfeelings.Acknowledge children’s feelings and give their feelings names.

•Emotionalresponsesdifferamongchildren,dependingon their experiences and temperament. Some children maybegoodathidingtheirfearandgrief,soparents

and other adults must take time to talk with children about their emotions.

Helping children cope with changeHere are some other ways parents can help their child

copewiththechangesbroughtaboutbyadisaster:•Trytoremainpositive.Althoughwecannotcontrolthe

weather,wecancontrolourreactiontoit.•Maintainaregularscheduleandroutine.Childrenneed

toknowwhoisgoingtofeedthem,helpthemgetdressed and put them to bed at night. Keeping a routine helpschildrenfeelthattheyaresupportedandsafe,solet them know what is going to happen and stick to a schedule whenever possible.

•Makeroomforone-on-onetimewithchildren.Thisletschildrenknowtheparentsarestillthereforthem,despite the stress and chaos.

•Rememberthatplayisachild’swork.Itmightnotseemappropriateinthemiddleofadisastertoorganizegamesorotheractivities,butplaytimeisanimportantoutlet for children to relieve their stress.

Counseling is available to families and individuals impacted by flooding through the Missouri Department ofMentalHealthCrisisAssistanceLineat800-811-4760.Servicesareconfidential.

Additional information on coping with a disaster is available from MU Extension’s ParentLink Warmline at 800-552-8522;enEspañol:888-460-0008.

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October 27, 2004 Page 1 of 1

Reentering Your Flooded Home

When returning to a home that’s been flooded after natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, be aware that your house may be contaminated with mold or sewage, which can cause health risks for your family.

When You First Reenter Your Home If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power, even if it delays cleaning. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again. If the house has been closed up for several days, enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for awhile (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for any length of time. If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, presume your home has been contaminated with mold. (See “Protect Yourself from Mold” at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp.)If your home has been flooded, it also may be contaminated with sewage. (See “After a Hurricane or Flood: Cleanup of Flood Water” at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.asp.)

Dry Out Your House If flood or storm water has entered your home, dry it out as soon as possible. Follow these steps:

If you have electricity and an electrician has determined that it’s safe to turn it on, use a “wet-dry” shop vacuum (or the vacuum function of a carpet steam cleaner), an electric-powered water transfer pump, or sump pump to remove standing water. If you are operating equipment in wet areas, be sure to wear rubber boots. If you do not have electricity, or it is not safe to turn it on, you can use a portable generator to power equipment to remove standing water. Note: If you must use a gasoline-powered pump, generator, pressure washer, or any other gasoline-powered tools to clean your home, never operate the gasoline engine inside a home, basement, garage, carport, porch, or other enclosed or partially enclosed structures, even if the windows and doors are open. Such improper use can create dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.If weather permits, open windows and doors of the house to aid in the drying-out process. Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Fans should be placed at a window or door to blow the air outwards rather than inwards, so not to spread the mold. Have your home heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system checked and cleaned by a maintenance or service professional who is experienced in mold clean-up before you turn it on. If the HVAC system was flooded with water, turning on the mold-contaminated HVAC will spread mold throughout the house. Professional cleaning will kill the mold and prevent later mold growth. When the service determines that your system is clean and if it is safe to do so, you can turn it on and use it to help remove excess moisture from your home. Prevent water outdoors from reentering your home. For example, rain water from gutters or the roof should drain away from the house; the ground around the house should slope away from the house to keep basements and crawl spaces dry. Ensure that crawl spaces in basements have proper drainage to limit water seepage. Ventilate to allow the area to dry out.

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.govor call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 13 - MUExtension•July2008

North Dakota State University

www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension

Cleaning and Repairing Flooded BasementsGetting out water and preventing future problems

Before you enter a flooded basement, take time to:Turnofftheelectricity,preferablyatthemeter;Checkoutsidecellarwallsforpossiblecave-ins,evidenceofstructuraldamageorotherhazards;Turnoffgasorfuelservicevalves;andOpen doors and windows or use blowers to force fresh air into the basement.

Pumping Forsafetyreasons,donotuseanelectricpumppoweredbyyourownelectricalsystem.

Instead,useagas-poweredpumporoneconnectedtoanoutsideline.Firedepartmentsinsomecommunities may help with pumping services.

More damage may be done by pumping flooded basements too soon or too quickly. Water in the basement helps brace the walls against the extra pressure of water-logged soil outside. If water ispumpedouttoosoon,wallsmaybepushedinorfloorspushedup.Tohelppreventthiskindofstructuraldamage:

Remove about a third of the water each day. Watch for signs of structural failing. Iftheoutsidewaterlevelrisesagainaftertheday’spumping,startatthenewwaterline.Don’t rush the pumping; the soil may be very slow to drain. Whatever is submerged in the

basement will not be damaged further by delaying the pumping.

Cleaning Afterwaterhasbeenpumpedfromthebasement,shoveloutthemudanddebriswhileitisstill

moist. Hose down walls to remove as much silt as possible before it dries. Floors and walls may needsanitizing,particularlyifsewagehasenteredthebasement.Scrubwallsandfloorswithadisinfecting solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

Oil stains caused by overturned or damaged oil tanks also may be a problem following basementflooding.Commercialproducts,availablefromfuel-oilsuppliers,willhelpneutralizefueloil.Theproductscomeinpowderformoranaerosolsprayforhard-to-reachplaces.Toremoveoilstainsanddestroyodor:wipeupexcessoil,shakeorsprayproductonthespotaccordingtomanufacturer’sdirections,letitset,thensweepitup.

Inspection and repair Beforebeginningrepairs,makeathoroughinspectionofsupportingcolumns,beams,walls

andfloors.Unlessyouhavestructuralexpertise,hireacontractortomakeaprofessionalsurvey.(Considerjoiningwithneighborsforagroup-rateinspection.)Repairsmayextendtothefollowing:

Buckled walls.Signsofbucklingincludehorizontalcrackingandareasthathavemovedoutofverticalalignment.Whenthisconditionisminor,youneednotrepairthewallimmediately.However,anynoticeablybuckledwallwilleventuallycollapsefromnormalgroundpressuresand

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 14 - MUExtension•July2008

seasonaltemperaturechanges.Whenbucklinghasseriouslyweakenedthewall,thedamagedparts should be rebuilt immediately. Pilasters (vertical reinforcements) may need to be constructed into walls over 15 feet long.

Settled walls and footings are indicated by vertical cracks either in small areas or throughout thestructure.Repairsaredifficultwithoutspecialequipment.Contactareliablecontractorforthiswork.

Heaved floorsarethosethathavenotreturnedtotheiroriginallevelorhavecrackedbadly.Thefloormayhavetoberemovedandanewfloorconstructed.Ifafloorisbadlycracked,buthasreturnedtoitsoriginallevel,anewfloormaybeplacedovertheoldone.Avaporbarriershouldbeaddedbetweenthetwofloors.Thenewfloorshouldbeatleast2inchesthick.

Inhouseswithoutbasements,theareabelowthefloormaybecompletelyfilledwithmud.Shoveloutthemudassoonaspossibletoavoidrottingjoistsorfoundationwood.

Related publication: “RepairingYourFloodedHome,”theAmericanRedCross/FederalEmergencyManagementAgency,1992

Reproduced with permission from North Dakota State University

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 15 - MUExtension•July200819

Caring for Large ElectricalAppliances

Appliances wet by floodwater or by rainwater afterroofs were damaged willneed extreme care beforereuse. This care will beimportant if the life of theappliance is to be extendedand for the safety of the user.

Appliances submerged by floodwaters, particularlysaltwater, are often not repairable. Appliances that havebeen wet by rainwater and not flooded are oftenrepairable. It is always desirable to have these repairsmade by a reputable service person. Followingdisasters, however, individuals who have these skillsoften are very busy, and the owner of the appliancemay find it necessary to make repairs.

Remember that an appliance damaged by water cansometimes be made functional, but will probably havea shortened life expectancy. Depending on the age andcondition of the appliance before it was damaged bywater, and considering the danger of personal injuryfrom improper repairs, it may be advisable to replacethe appliance rather than repair it.

Many small appliances, including television sets,microwave ovens and radios, are more electronic thanelectrical. The tips offered in this fact sheet do notapply to electronic repairs. Most small appliances orelectronic devices are not economical to repair.

Motor and Circuit Repairs• Disconnect all switches, contactors, motors and

electrical wiring. Make a diagram of the connections,or list the steps you took to disconnect these items;this will help you remember how to reassemble theparts.

• Flush all parts of the system with clean water, andallow the parts to dry for several days before recon-necting.

• Use spray-on drying agents to help in the displace-ment of moisture in contacts, motors and so forth.

• Re-assemble the disconnected parts referring to yourdiagram or list of steps.

• Be sure the appliance is dry and properly groundedbefore reconnecting.

Insulation and Mechanical ComponentsAppliances that are insulated such as ranges, ovens,

freezers, refrigerators and water heaters may need tohave wet insulation removed and dried or replaced.• Remove insulation by opening the frame of the

appliance; consult your owner’s manual for con-struction details. Use gloves when removing theinsulation. Clean the cavity before installing newinsulating material. Duct insulation can be used toreplace the old fiberglass insulation.

• On appliances where fiberglass insulation cannot beremoved, replace the appliance.

• Newer freezers and refrigerators include foaminsulation that will not require removal.

• Remember to check the mechanical parts of theelectric appliance. Such things as the bearings,hinges on doors and other moving parts should bedried and lubricated to prevent rust.

Preventing Damage from Future FloodsIf the appliance was damaged by floodwaters

which were less than 2-feet deep, you can help preventfuture damage by installing the repaired or replacementappliance on a platform.• Consider elevating the electrical system itself. Install

all electrical switches and outlets 12 inches aboveeither the 100-year flood level or the level of thehighest known flood at your location - whichever ishigher.

• Check with the local permit office to see if permitsare required for any physical alteration of the loca-tion of your appliances or for modification of theelectrical wiring in your building. Permit and inspec-tion requirements vary greatly throughout the state.

SalvagingWater-damaged BelongingsNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Safety• Approach a flooded or wetted appliance with

caution. Water can short-circuit an electricalappliance so that parts which don’t normallyconduct electricity can shock you.

• Disconnect power to the building or to thecircuit which feeds the suspected appliance.Then unplug the appliance. If the power to thebuilding or neighborhood has been shut off, besure all appliances suspected to have waterdamage have been unplugged before power isrestored.

• If you are uncertain whether an appliance hasbeen damaged by water, do not test it byplugging it in and/or turning it on. Either treat itas damaged or have a knowledgeable individualcheck for electrical shorts to assure that it is safeto use.

Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 16 - MUExtension•July200820

Salvaging and Cleaning FurnitureBefore starting to salvage

damaged furniture, decide whichpieces are worth restoring. Suchdecisions should be based on:extent of damage, cost of thearticle, sentimental value, cost ofrestoration and quality of the woodor fabric. Consider each pieceindividually.

Restore or Replace?Antiques

Antiques are probably worth the time, effort andexpense of restoration. Unless damage is severe, youcan probably clean, reglue and refinish antiques athome. Extensive repair or re-veneering work should bedone at a reliable furniture repair shop.

Solid wood furniture

Solid wood furniture can usually be restored unlessdamage is severe. You will probably need to clean, dryand reglue it. Do not throw away solid wood furnitureuntil it has dried and repair efforts can be assessed.Slightly warped boards may be removed andstraightened or replaced.

Wood veneered furniture

Wood veneered furniture is usually not worth thecost and effort of repair, unless it is very valuablemonetarily or sentimentally. If veneer is loose in just afew places, you may be able to repair it. Veneeredfurniture repairs are usually best done by a reliablerefinisher.

Upholstered furniture

Upholstered furniture may be salvageable,depending on its general condition. Flooded pieces willneed to be cleaned and dried, and mildew should beremoved. If damage is extensive, you may have toreplace padding and upholstery. Since this is anexpensive process, it might be wiser to apply themoney toward a new piece of furniture.

You will not need to repair all pieces immediately.Any furniture worthy of repair should be completelycleaned, dried and stored in a dry, shady, well-ventilated place until you have time to repair it.Wooden furniture damaged by floods can best besalvaged through slow drying and proper repair.

First Steps to RestorationSubmerged or wet wooden furniture

Take furniture outdoors, and remove as manydrawers, slides and removable parts as possible.Drawers and doors will probably be stuck tight. Do nottry to force them out from the front. With a screwdriveror chisel, remove the back and push out the drawerfrom behind.

After you have removed movable parts, clean offmud and dirt, using a hose if necessary.

Take all furniture indoors and store it where it willdry slowly. Furniture left in the sunlight to dry willwarp and twist out of shape.

When furniture is dry, reglue it if necessary. Youwill need equipment and clamps to reglue some pieces.Before you start, decide whether you have the time,equipment and ability to do the work. Consult anexperienced carpenter if necessary. Many books areavailable on the subject.

To reglue loose joints or rungs, cut or scrape off oldglue so the area will be as clean and free of glue aspossible. Use a white all-purpose glue, followingdirections on container. Hold parts together with rubberrope tourniquets or C-clamps. To prevent damage fromropes or clamps, pad these areas with cloth.

Damp furniture - removing white spots

White spots or a cloudy film may develop on dampfurniture that has not been submerged.

If the entire surface is affected, rub with a dampcloth dipped in (a) turpentine or camphorated oil or (b)in a solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia and 1/2cup water. Wipe dry at once and polish with wax orfurniture polish.

If color is not restored, dip 3/0 steel wool in oil(boiled linseed, olive, mineral or lemon). Rub lightlywith the wood grain. Wipe with a soft cloth and re-wax.

For deep spots, use a drop or two of ammonia on adamp cloth. Rub at once with a dry cloth. Polish.Rubbing cigarette ashes, powered pumice or a piece ofwalnut into spots may also help remove them. Be sureto wear rubber gloves when using these solutions.

If spots remain after all efforts to remove them, thepiece should be refinished.

Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Reproduced with permission from the LSU AgCenter

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 17 - MUExtension•July200821

Cleaning Carpets and FloorsCleaning water-soaked carpets and floors is

difficult in itself, but in the aftermath of a storm orflood, contamination by mud, silt, sewage and mildewcan compound the problem.

It’s best to replace carpets and get professionalcleaners to work on floors, but this may not bepossible. In any case, begin cleanup as soon aspossible.

Tips• Pull up all saturated carpets and rugs, and take them

outdoors.

• If you wish to salvage valuable rugs and water wasnot contaminated, hose muddy carpets down. Worka low-sudsing, disinfectant carpet cleaning productdeep into soiled spots with a broom.

• If only small areas of carpet got wet from leaks, pullup and prop the wet carpet to dry. Cut away wetpadding.

• To discourage mildew and odors, rinse the backingwith a solution of 2 tablespoons bleach to 1 gallonwater. Don’t use this solution on wool carpets. Alsodisinfect the slab or subfloor.

• Discard and replace foam pads.

• Sections of subfloors that separate must be replacedto avoid buckling. When floor coverings are re-moved, allow subfloors to dry thoroughly, eventhough it may take several months. Disinfect all wetsurfaces.

• In wood floors, remove a board every few feet toreduce buckling caused by swelling. Ask a carpenterfor tips on removing tongue-and-groove boards.

• Clean and dry floor thoroughly before attemptingrepairs. Using a dehumidifier will speed the dryingprocess.

• In vinyl floors with wood subflooring, the floorcovering should be removed so the subflooring canbe replaced. With concrete floors, removal isn’tnecessary except to hasten drying of the slab.

• Loose tiles may be replaced if the floor has not beensoaked. If water has seeped under sheet flooring,remove the entire sheet.

• While cleaning, wash exposed skin frequently inpurified water. Wear rubber gloves.

Cleaning Tips• Always wear rubber gloves when using

cleaning solutions or working with flood-damaged or moldy furniture. Take furni-ture outdoors to clean.

• If mildew has developed, vacuum (prefer-ably with an HEPA filter) surface or brushoff with a broom.

• Read fiber content labels of upholstery.Test a hidden area using a solution oflukewarm soapy water (1 tablespoon soapto 1 quart water), or dilute denaturedalcohol (1/2 alcohol and 1/2 water) orbleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach to apint of water) to see if color is removed orfabric shrinks. Allow to dry, then decide ifthe fabric can be cleaned. Sponge fabricto remove dirt, and use bleach or alcoholsolution to remove mildew. Fabric may beremoved from frame to clean, dependingon the damage.

• Remove tacks, nails, braid, other fasten-ers.

• Although wet synthetic foam padding canbe restored, the risk of contamination andcosts usually make replacement a betteroption. Wet cotton or other organicpadding should always be replaced.

• Wipe down wooden frames with a woodcleaner or alcohol solution remove moldor mildew. Wipe dry and allow to air dryin an open shady place (never dry furni-ture in direct sunlight).

• Dry springs and other metal parts. If rusthas formed, you may need to replace orclean. Use steel wool and coat with paint.A light oil could be wiped on metal partsto help prevent later rusting. Many majormanufacturers keep records of fabric ormetal parts which can be ordered from thedealer for replacement.

• Be sure all parts are dry before reassem-bling.

• A reliable furniture repair shop will giveestimates on cost of redoing furniture.Also, consider replacement cost and valueof each piece. If insurance allows partvalue on flood-damaged furniture, it maybe financially worthwhile to apply themoney to new articles,rather than pay for exten-sive repairs.

Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Reproduced with permission from the LSU AgCenter

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 18 - MUExtension•July200822

Cleaning Storm-soaked ClothingWhen cleaning clothes soaked during storm

flooding, remember that the flood water may have beencontaminated with sewage waste. Simply drying theseclothes is not enough. For safety, they must bedisinfected to kill harmful bacteria. Two tablespoons ofliquid chlorine bleach per washer load will kill bacteriawithout substantially damaging clothes. Do not usemore than 2 tablespoons per washer load unless all theclothes can be safely bleached.

Dry cleaning is also effective. Do not use bleachon wool, silk, feathers and foam.

Tips• Separate wet items as soon as possible to keep

clothing colors from running together. Sort outclothing that should be drycleaned. Do not mixflood-soiled clothes with clean clothes. Take care notto contaminate work surfaces.

• Items to be drycleaned should be air-dried and takento a cleaner as soon as possible. (If you suspect theymay have been in sewage-contaminated water, wearplastic gloves.) Do not dry the clothes near a heatsource such as a stove. Once dry, shake and brushclothing outdoors to remove as much soil as pos-sible.

• Rinse washable items several times in cold water. Ifbadly soiled, soak overnight in cold water and anenzyme product or detergent. Wring out and air dryif you’re unable to machine wash.

• Machine wash clothes as soon as possible. Use aheavy duty detergent and a disinfectant such as 2tablespoons of chlorine bleach, pine oil or a phenolicdisinfectant. Use highest water level possible, don’tovercrowd washer and use hottest water temperaturesuitable for the garments. Select the longest washcycle available. Dry in a dryer (if available) at thehighest temperature suitable for the fabric.

• Stained or very dirty clothes may require adding anappropriate bleach to the wash. Follow directions onthe bleach containers and garment tags for types andamounts to use.

• If an item is still stained after washing, rewash beforedrying. Drying may make some stains harder toremove.

Contact your local Cooperative Extension Serviceoffice listed under local government in the telephonedirectory or www.lsuagcenter.com

“This material is based upon work supported by theCooperative State Research, Education, and ExtensionService, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under specialproject numbers 92-ESNP-1-5184 and 96-ESNP-1-5219.”

Contributors:Claudette Reichel, Ed.D., Professor, Housing Specialist

Evva Z. Wilson, Ph.D. (retired)

Robert H. Mills, Ph.D. (retired)

Fred E. (Gene) Baker, Ph.D. (retired)

Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Reproduced with permission from the LSU AgCenter

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 19 - MUExtension•July2008

Reproduced with permission from the LSU AgCenter

lsuagcenter.com

Avoiding Mold Hazards in Your Flooded Home A flood-damaged building requires special attention to avoid or correct a mold explosion.

Moldsproducesporesspreadeasilythroughtheair,andtheyformnewmoldgrowths(colonies)whentheyfindtherightconditions:moisture,nutrients(nearlyanythingorganic)andaplacetogrow.

Moldcandamagematerialsandhealth.Thelongermoldisallowedtogrow,thegreatertheriskandtheharderthecleanup.Soassoonasthefloodwatersrecedeanditissafetoreturn,don’tdelay cleanup and drying.

Takephotographstodocumentdamagesforinsurancepurposes,andgetstarted.Itisnotwisetowaitfortheadjustertoseeitinperson.Mosthomeowners’insurancepoliciesdonotcovermolddamage or mold remediation costs.

Althoughthereiswidevariationinhowpeopleareaffectedbymold,long-termorhighexposureis unhealthy for anyone. Exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. It may suppress the immune system or have other effects. Some types of mold in certain conditions can producemycotoxins,whichcanbepresentinsporesandfragmentsintheair.“Blackmold”isamisleading term since many mold types are black.

Mold testing is not usually needed and is rarely useful to answer questions about health concerns. Some insurance companies and legal services may require sampling for documentation. Professional mold remediation contractors may test before and after cleanup to assess their efforts.

Thebestwaytoavoidmoldhazardsistohirealicensed,trainedandreputablewaterdamageandmoldremediationfirm.Afteraflood,thatmaybedifficult.Sincemanyhomeowners’insurancepoliciesdonotcovermolddamageormoldremediationcosts,manyresidentsfacehaving to do the cleanup themselves.

Preventing Mold Growth after Flooding•Removewetcarpetingrightaway.It’sbesttodiscardit.Ifthecarpetissalvaged,clean,

disinfect and dry it quickly. Never reuse flooded padding. •Cutawaywetwallboardandremovealldampinsulationrightaway–evenifwallboard

appearstobedry.Wetinsulationwillstaywetfartoolong,leadingtothegrowthofhiddenunhealthy mold and decay fungi inside the walls.

•Cleanwithnon-phosphatedetergents(anyphosphateresidueismoldfood).Ifyoudisinfect,followdirectionscarefullyandnevermixbleachwithammoniaoracids(vinegar).Disinfectantscankillmolds,buttheydonotpreventregrowth.

•Doallyoucantospeedthedryingofsubfloors,slabsandwallframingbeforereplacinginsulation,wallboardandflooring.Useairconditioning,heaters,fansorbetteryet,adehumidifier.Waterdamagerestorationcontractorswithspecialequipment(dehumidifyingblowers) can provide the fastest drying.

•Ifpossible,testthemoisturecontentofstudsandsheathing(usingamoisturedetector)beforereplacing insulation. Wood should drop below 20% moisture content by weight before you close the wall.

•DONOTusevinylwallpaper.Itwillpreventfurtherdryingontheinside.

Mold on wall extends above flood level because the moisture wicked up the drywall.

Wear an N95 or better respirator to reduce your exposure to mold spores disturbed during cleanup.

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 20 - MUExtension•July2008

Reproduced with permission from the LSU AgCenter

lsuagcenter.com

Mold Cleanup GuidelinesTocleanupmold,followthesesteps.

Minimize Your Exposure During CleanupPeople are exposed to mold by breathing spores or fragments. Exposure can also occur through

skincontact.Wearingglovesandarespiratorthatcanfiltermoldspores(N-95orbetterisrecommended).

Isolate Work Area and Ventilate to OutdoorsDisturbingmoldcoloniescancauseamassivereleaseofspores,sosealoffthecontaminated

areafromtherestofthehouse.Ifpowerison,useafantoexhaustairtotheoutdoors.

Remove and Discard Moldy MaterialsPorousmoldyorsewage-contaminatedmaterialsshouldberemoved,baggedandthrownaway.

Thisincludesgypsumwallboard,insulation,plaster,carpet/carpetpad,ceilingtiles,processedwoodproductsandpaper.Tominimizethespreadofspores,covermoldymaterialwithplastictocontain spores before removal.

Clean SurfacesSurfacemoldonnon-porousmaterialssuchashardplastic,concrete,glass,metalandsolid

woodcanbeusuallycleaned.Cleaningmustremove,notjustkill,themold,becausedeadsporescan still cause health problems.

Aftercleaning,youmaychoosetouseadisinfectanttokillanymoldmissedbythecleaning.Inthecaseofsewagecontamination,disinfectionmustbeperformed.Contactyourlocalhealthdepartment for appropriate advice.

Oncolorfast,nonmetalsurfaces,youmaydisinfectwithasolutionof¼to½cupbleachpergallonofwater.Donotuseintheairsystem.Milder,less-corrosivedisinfectantsincludealcohols,disinfecting cleaners and hydrogen peroxide. Always handle bleach with caution. Never mix it with ammonia; test on a small area before treatment.

Speed DryDryallwetmaterialsasquicklyaspossible.Ifpossible,useairconditioningorheatwithfansand

dehumidifiers.Newmoldcoloniescanforminaslittleasthreedaysifmaterialsstaywet.Woodand other materials that look dry can still be wet enough to support regrowth.

Remain on Mold AlertContinuelookingforsignsofmoistureornewmoldgrowth.Ifmoldreturns,repeatcleaning

and consider using speed drying equipment and moisture meters. Regrowth may signal that the material was not dry enough or should be removed. Rebuilding and refurnishing should wait until all affected materials have dried completely.

Kansas State University • Cooperative Extension Service • Manhattan, Kansas

Reducing Bacteria inClothing and Textiles

Clothing and textiles that have been incontact with floodwater need to be sanitizedbecause floodwater may be contaminated withsewage wastes. Bacteria from floodwater canremain alive on fabrics for a long time. Adisinfectant destroys harmful bacteria. Fordisinfecting, use only products that display anEPA Registration Number on the label andhave laundering instructions for disinfecting.Wash items in small loads in full water levelsin your washing machine. Two types of disin-fectants are effective on fabrics. Use whicheveris appropriate for the particular fabric.

Quaternary CompoundsQuaternary compounds are safe for fibers,

will not damage wool or silk, but may causesome color change.

• Common brands commonly available inKansas are Roccal1 and Zephrin1

• Add at the beginning of the rinse cycle - 4tablespoons Roccal or 2 tablespoonsZephrin for top-loading automatics; 2tablespoons Roccal or 1 tablespoonZephrin for front-loading automatics.

Quaternary compounds are available atdairy or janitorial supply houses or some drugstores.

Chlorine BleachesLiquid chlorine bleaches are safe for most

fibers except wool, silk or resin-coated (water-proof or water repellant) fabrics, but may causecolor fading.

• Be sure that your colors are colorfast,best on white fabrics.

• Add bleach to water before putting inclothes or dilute bleach in 1 quart water

before adding to the wash cycle.• Use 1 cup in top loading automatics; 1/2

cup in front loading automatics.• Do not use bleach in the rinse cycle.• Be certain that the percentage of hy-

pochlorite is 5.25%. Read the label.• Some brands commonly available in

Kansas:

Always Save Chlorine Bleach, PurexBleach1,

Best Choice Bleach, Top Crest Bleach orFresh Scent Bleach, Blue Ribbon ChlorineBleach, Value Time Liquid Bleach, CloroxRegular or Fresh Scent Bleach1 (Bleach labeled“color safe” is not a chlorine bleach and will notsanitize.)

Available in grocery stores, discount storesand hardware stores.

The following cleaners willreduce bacteria, but notcompletely disinfect:

Pine Oil CleanersPine oil cleaners are safe for washable

clothing to help remove odors and help sani-tize. Do not use them on wool or silk becausethe pine odor will linger in these fabrics. Apine oil cleaner should be at least 70% pine oilto disinfect. The higher the percentage of pineoil (19% or above) the more bacteria they kill.

Check for colorfastness by testing on ahidden area of the item.

1Contain both EPA Registration Number andlaundry instructions for disinfecting.

Cooperative Extension ServiceKansas State UniversityManhattan, Kansas

MF-1130 July 1993

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, asamended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, and United States Departmentof Agriculture Cooperating, Richard D. Wootton, Associate Director. All educational programsand materials available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,age, or disability.

7-93-5M

• Add pine oil at the beginning of the washcycle, preferably before the clothes are inthe machine. Otherwise, dilute in onequart water before adding to machine.

• Use 1/2 cup with your regular detergent.• Some brands commonly available in

Kansas:King Pine, Pine Plus, Pine-So, Spic andSpan Pine, Lysol Pine Action, Pine Power,Real Pine

Available in grocery stores, discount stores,hardware stores and drug stores.

Phenolic cleanersPhenolic cleaners are safe for washable

clothing.

• Avoid wool and silk, because the odor willremain.

• Use 1 cup in a top loading automatics; 1/2cup plus 2 tablespoons in front loadingautomatics.

• Add in either the wash or rinse cycle.• Common brands available in Kansas:

Lysol Disinfectant Liquid Concentrated (aphenolic/quaternary mixture)

Available in grocery and discount stores.

Deanna Munson, Extension Textiles SpecialistArtyce Hedrick, Extension Clothing Specialist

Resources for Your Flooded Home - 23 - MUExtension•July2008

Adair .................503 E Northtown Rd, Kirksville, 63501 ............................ 660-665-9866Andrew .............Courthouse, 2nd Fl, PO Box 32, Savannah, 64485 .......... 816-324-3147Atchison ...........201 Highway 136 E, Rock Port, 64482 ............................ 660-744-6231Audrain .............101 N Jefferson Rm 304, Courthouse, Mexico, 65265 .... 573-581-3231Barry ................700 Main Ste 4, Cassville, 65625 .................................... 417-847-3161Barton ...............801 E 12th St, Lamar, 64759 ........................................... 417-682-3579Bates ................1 N Delaware, Courthouse, Butler, 64730 ........................ 660-679-4167Benton ..............119 W Main, PO Box 637, Warsaw, 65355 ...................... 660-438-5012Bollinger ...........304 High St/Courthouse, PO Box 19, Marble Hill, 63764 573-238-2420Boone ...............1012 N Highway UU, Columbia, 65203 ........................... 573-445-9792Buchanan .........4125 Mitchell Ave, St Joseph, 64507 .............................. 816-279-1691Butler ................222 N Broadway, Poplar Bluff, 63901 .............................. 573-686-8064Caldwell .............102 N Main St Ste 1, Courthouse, Gallatin, 64640 .......... 816-586-2761Callaway ...........5803 County Rd 302, Fulton, 65251 ................................ 573-642-0755Camden ............34 Roofener St, PO Box 1405, Camdenton, 65020.......... 573-346-2644Cape Girardeau ..684 W Jackson Trl, PO Box 408, Jackson, 63755 ........... 573-243-3581Carroll ...............111 N Mason, Carrollton, 64633 ..................................... 660-542-1792Carter ...............1002 Broadway, PO Box 459, Van Buren, 63965 ............. 573-323-4418Cass .................302 S Main, Harrisonville, 64701 .................................... 816-380-8460Cedar ................113 South St, PO Box 926, Stockton, 65785 ................... 417-276-3313Chariton ............306 S Cherry, Courthouse, Keytesville, 65261 ................. 660-288-3239Christian ...........105 N 2nd St, PO Box 160, Ozark, 65721 ........................ 417-581-3558Clark .................115 W Court, Kahoka, 63445 ........................................... 660-727-3339Clay ..................1901 NE 48th St, Clay Cty Annex, Kansas City, 64118 .... 816-407-3490Clinton ..............207 N Main, Crthse, PO Box 294, Plattsburg, 64477 ....... 816-539-3765Cole ..................2436 Tanner Bridge Rd, Jefferson City, 65101 ................ 573-634-2824Cooper ..............608 E Spring St, Boonville, 65233 ................................... 660-882-5661Crawford ...........202 Main St, PO Box 190, Steelville, 65565 .................... 573-775-2135Dade .................300 W Water Ste 2, Courthouse, Greenfield, 65661 ........ 417-637-2112Dallas ...............Courthouse, PO Box 1070, Buffalo, 65622 ...................... 417-345-7551Daviess ..............102 N Main St Ste 1, Courthouse, Gallatin, 64640 .......... 660-663-3232DeKalb ..............4125 Mitchell Ave, St Joseph, 64507 .............................. 816-279-1691Dent ..................112 E 5th St, Judicial Bldg, Salem, 65560 ....................... 573-729-3196Douglas ............203 SE 2nd Ave, Courthouse, PO Box 668, Ava, 65608 .. 417-683-4409Dunklin .............101 S Main, Crthse Annex 2nd Fl, PO Box 160, Kennett, 63857

........................................................................................ 573-888-4722Franklin .............116 W Main St, Union, 63084 ......................................... 636-583-5141Gasconade ........1106 West Hwy 28, Owensville, 65066 ........................... 573-437-2165Gentry ..............1109 S Birch, Albany, 64402 ........................................... 660-726-5610Greene ..............833 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, 65802 ......................... 417-862-9284Grundy .............700 Main, Courthouse 1st Fl, Trenton, 64683 .................. 660-359-5643Harrison ...........1505 Main St, Courthouse Bsmt, Bethany, 64424 ........... 660-425-6434Henry ................100 W Franklin Rm 16, Crthse Bsmt, Clinton, 64735 ...... 660-885-5556Hickory .............203 Cedar St, PO Box 187, Hermitage, 65668 ................. 417-745-6767Holt ...................100 S Main St, PO Box 407, Oregon, 64473 ................... 660-446-3724Howard .............#1 Courthouse Square, Fayette, 65248 ............................ 660-248-2272Howell ..............217 S Aid Ave, West Plains, 65775.................................. 417-256-2391Iron ...................250 S Main, Courthouse, Ironton, 63650 ........................ 573-546-7515Jackson ............1501 NW Jefferson St, Ste 110, Blue Springs, 64015 .... 816-252-5051Jasper ...............Courthouse Basement, Carthage, 64836 ......................... 417-358-2158Jefferson ..........301 Third St, PO Box 497, Hillsboro, 63050.................... 636-797-5391Johnson ...........135 W Market, Warrensburg, 64093 ............................... 660-747-3193Kansas City ........2700 E 18th St, Ste 240, Kansas City, 64127 .................. 816-482-5850Knox .................110 N 4th St., Edina, 63537............................................. 660-397-2179Laclede .............299 E Second St, Lebanon, 65536 .................................. 417-532-7126Lafayette ...........14 E 19th St, Ste 102, Higginsville, 64037 ...................... 660-584-3658Lawrence ..........Courthouse, PO Box 388, Mt Vernon, 65712 ................... 417-466-3197Lewis ................104 E Jefferson, PO Box 68, Monticello, 63457 .............. 573-767-5273Lincoln .............880 W College, Troy, 63379 ............................................. 636-528-4613

Linn ..................108 N High, Courthouse, PO Box 81, Linneus, 64653 ..... 660-895-5123Livingston .........609 Locust St, Chillicothe, 64601 .................................... 660-646-0811McDonald .........Old Courthouse, PO Box 336, Pineville, 64856 ................ 417-223-4775Macon ..............514 E Briggs Dr, Ste D, Macon, 63552 ............................ 660-385-2173Madison ...........137 W Main, Fredericktown, 63645 ................................. 573-783-3303Maries ..............Courthouse, 4th & Main, PO Box 116, Vienna, 65582 ..... 573-422-3359Marion ..............100 S Main St Rm 201, Courthouse, Palmyra, 63461 ..... 573-769-2177Mercer ..............102 S Broadway 1st Fl, Courthouse, Princeton, 64673 ... 660-748-3315Miller ................Crthse Anx, PO Box 20, Tuscumbia, 65082 ..................... 573-369-2394Mississippi .......109 N First St, Charleston, 63834.................................... 573-683-6129Moniteau ...........100 E Newton St 4th Fl, Courthouse, Versailles, 65084 ... 573-378-5358Monroe .............208 N Main St, Paris, 65275............................................ 660-327-4158Montgomery ......310 Salisbury St, Ste E, Montgomery City, 63361 .......... 573-564-3733Morgan ..............100 E Newton St 4th Fl, Courthouse, Versailles, 65084 ... 573-378-5358New Madrid .......420 Mott St, New Madrid, 63869 .................................... 573-748-5531Newton .............1900 S Hwy 71, Neosho, 64850 ...................................... 417-455-9500Nodaway ...........305 N Market St, Crthse Anx, Maryville, 64468 ............... 660-582-8101Oregon .............Courthouse Basement, PO Box 97, Alton, 65606 ............ 417-778-7490Osage ...............1811 Highway 50 East, PO Box 795, Linn, 65051 ........... 573-897-3648Ozark ................1 Court Sq, PO Box 186, Gainesville, 65655.................... 417-679-3525Pemiscot ..........619 Ward Ave, PO Box 1001, Caruthersville, 63830 ........ 573-333-0258Perry ................321 N Main Ste 1, Perryville, 63775 ................................ 573-547-4504Pettis ................1012A Thompson Blvd, Sedalia, 65301 ........................... 660-827-0591Phelps ..............200 N Main, Rolla, 65401 ................................................ 573-458-6260Pike ..................115 W Main St, Courthouse, Bowling Green, 63334 ...... 573-324-5464Platte ................11724 NW Plaza Cir Ste 300, Kansas City, 64153 ........... 816-270-2141Polk ..................451 S Albany, Bolivar, 65613 ........................................... 417-326-4916Pulaski ..............301 Historic 66 E, Ste 127, Waynesville, 65583 .............. 573-774-6177Putnam .............Courthouse Rm 104, Unionville, 63565 ........................... 660-947-2705Ralls .................311 S Main St, Crthse, PO Box 540, New London, 63459 573-985-3911Randolph ..........100 W Sparks Ave Ste B, Moberly, 65270 ....................... 660-269-9656Ray ...................108 W North Main #2, Richmond, 64085 ........................ 816-776-6961Reynolds ..........465 S 2nd St, PO Box 88, Ellington, 63638 ..................... 573-663-2251Ripley ...............100 Courthouse Square Ste 7, Doniphan, 63935 ............ 573-996-2921St Charles .........260 Brown Rd, St Peters, 63376 ..................................... 636-970-3000St Clair .............655 Second St, 1st Fl Crthse, PO Box 523, Osceola, 64776

........................................................................................ 417-646-2419St Francois .......1 W Liberty, Ste 101, Farmington, 63640 ........................ 573-756-4539Ste Genevieve ....255 Market, County Serv Bldg, Ste Genevieve MO 63670 573-883-3548St Louis City ......4236 Lindell, Ste 201, St Louis, 63108 ........................... 314-367-2585St Louis ............121 S Meramec Ste 501, Clayton, 63105 ........................ 314-615-2911Saline ...............353 S Lafayette Ave, Marshall, 65340 ............................. 660-886-6908Schuyler ...........Courthouse, PO Box 310, Lancaster, 63548 .................... 660-457-3469Scotland ...........117 S Market Ste 200, Courthouse, Memphis, 63555 ..... 660-465-7255Scott .................6458 State Hwy 77, PO Box 187, Benton, 63736 ............ 573-545-3516Shannon ...........(see Oregon County) ........................................................ 417-778-7490Shelby ..............106 E Third St, PO Box 230, Shelbyville, 63469 .............. 573-633-2640Stoddard ...........205 S Prairie, PO Box 169, Bloomfield, 63825 ................ 573-568-3344Stone ................307 N. Main St, PO Box 345, Galena, 65656 ................... 417-357-6812Sullivan .............109 N Main St, Ste 30, Milan, 63556 ............................... 660-265-4541Taney ................122 Felkins Ave, PO Box 598, Forsyth, 65653 ................. 417-546-4431Texas ................1418 Sam Houston Blvd, Houston, 65483 ...................... 417-967-4545Vernon ..............100 W Cherry St 1st Fl Rm 2, Nevada, 64772 ................. 417-448-2560Warren .............107 W Walton, Warrenton, 63383 ................................... 636-456-3444Washington .......113 N Missouri St, Ste A Potosi, 63664 .......................... 573-438-2671Wayne ..............110 Walnut St, PO Box 200, Greenville, 63944 ............... 573-224-3035Webster ............800 S Marshall St, Marshfield, 65706 ............................. 417-859-2044Worth ...............Courthouse, 3rd St, PO Box 219, Grant City, 64456 ........ 660-564-3363Wright ..............190 W Rolla, Crthse Anx, PO Box 458, Hartville, 65667 .. 417-741-6134

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