When to Leave Your Home During a Damage Emergency

Some damage situations are safe to handle from a distance, but others are not. Leave the home at once if you see water touching electrical outlets or appliances, if you smell gas, or if you hear cracking or popping sounds in the walls or ceiling. These signs point to risks you cannot see.

Also leave if water is rising quickly, if the floor feels spongy, or if the ceiling starts to sag. A sagging ceiling can collapse without warning. If you have any doubt about your safety, get out and stay out until a professional can check the structure.

• Water reaching electrical outlets or cords
• A strong gas or fuel smell
• Visible sagging in ceilings or floors
• Floodwater rising above your ankles
• Cracks spreading in walls or foundation
• Smoke or sparks from any source

If you decide to leave, do a quick safety sweep. Turn off the main water valve if you can reach it without stepping into water. Turn off the electricity at the breaker only if the panel is dry and you can do so without risk. Do not touch any switches or outlets if water is near them.

Grab your phone, wallet, and any important documents. Move pets with you. Close interior doors to slow the spread of moisture and mold. If you have time, lift small furniture and rugs off the floor. Then leave and do not re-enter until a professional says it is safe.

Once you are safely outside, call your insurance company from your phone. Tell them what happened and where you are staying. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. They will guide you on the next steps and what documentation they need. Keep a list of any damage you noticed, but do not go back inside to take photos if it is unsafe.

If you live in Kirkland, keep your shutoff valve location written down so you can find it quickly in an emergency. The mild marine climate with wet winters and dry summers means water damage can happen any season. After you are safe, you can arrange for a professional to inspect the damage and plan repairs.