Flood Cleanup in Ventura, CA | Storm Water Damage Referral

Ventura sits between the Ventura River and the Santa Clara River, with hillsides, barrancas, and beaches in between. Most of the year's rain falls between roughly November and March, and the heaviest storms can send runoff and mud into yards, garages, and homes. Along the beach, unusually high surf has pushed seawater into streets and properties near the shore, as it did in late December 2023.

Safety first

Follow evacuation orders and warnings from Ventura County emergency officials (vcemergency.com).
Don't walk or drive through moving water. It can be deeper and faster than it looks.
Don't go back into a flooded home until it's safe, and keep power off if water reached outlets or the panel. Call SCE if needed.
Wear boots, gloves, and eye protection during cleanup, and keep children and pets away. See the CDC flood safety guidance.

Floodwater is contaminated

Water that comes in from outside, whether from a creek, river, street, or the ocean, can carry sewage, chemicals, and debris. Restoration companies treat it as Category 3 (black) water. That usually means carpet, pad, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and drywall and insulation it touched are thrown out, and hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before drying.

What flood cleanup involves

Pumping out standing water and removing mud and debris.
Removing and bagging contaminated porous materials, after photos for insurance.
Cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces and framing.
Drying with dehumidifiers and air movers until moisture readings are normal.
Rebuild, sometimes by the same company and sometimes by a separate contractor.

Flood insurance

Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flooding from outside water. Flood coverage usually comes from a separate policy, such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart.gov). Check your policy and call your insurer. You can look up your property's mapped flood zone at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. We can't tell you whether you're covered.

Hiring tips

After big storms, out-of-area crews and door-to-door offers are common. Check any contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov, ask for proof of insurance, get a written estimate, and don't pay a large deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood from outside surface water. Flood is usually covered by a separate flood policy. Check your policy and ask your insurer.

Can I save furniture that was in floodwater?

Hard furniture of solid wood or metal can sometimes be cleaned, disinfected, and dried. Upholstered furniture, mattresses, and particleboard that sat in floodwater are usually discarded.

How do I find my flood zone?

Look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. The County of Ventura's Watershed Protection staff can also answer local flood questions.

Flood Cleanup help around Ventura

We take requests from 25 nearby communities. Local guides:

Back to Ventura Water Damage

Flood Cleanup in Ventura