Stay safe first. Shut off the water at the main valve, and the electricity if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Call your insurer, photograph the damage before any cleanup, and avoid sinks, showers and toilets if sewage lines may be damaged. Then call a plumber.
Step 1: Make the house safe
Water and electricity don't mix, so power comes before cleanup. The Flood Control District of Maricopa County lists the same step for anyone who has been flooded: turn off all water and electrical sources, but do not attempt to turn off electricity while standing in water. Get professional help.
The Red Cross adds a practical detail. If there's a pool of water between you and the breaker panel, use a dry wooden stick to reach the main breaker without stepping in water. If you can't reach the panel, call a qualified electrician.
Step 2: Stop the water
If a water pipe is damaged, the Red Cross says to turn off the water at the main valve and call a plumber. Find that valve before you need it. If you're not sure where it is, look where the water line enters the house, and take a photo of it once you do. Our page on how to prepare for a plumbing emergency lists the other valves and numbers worth knowing ahead of time.
Step 3: Stay off the drains if sewage may be involved
The Red Cross is direct about this one: if you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using sinks, showers or toilets and call a plumber. Flushing into a damaged or backed-up line sends more water into your home. If your lowest drains are bubbling or gurgling, or water is coming up through a floor drain or shower, treat it as a sewer backup and read why drains back up during monsoon.
Step 4: Call your insurer and document everything
The Flood Control District's recovery steps put this early: notify your insurer as soon as possible and work with them to determine the extent of your coverage. Then fully document the damage with photos before any repairs are made.
Flood damage is usually not part of a standard homeowners policy. FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage and that flood insurance is a separate policy. A burst pipe inside the house is a different kind of claim, and how to file a water damage insurance claim walks through it.
Step 5: Protect your health and dry out
The district recommends protective clothing (boots, gloves, a mask), removing contaminated food, and pumping out standing water only after your insurer says it's okay. It also says to open doors and windows so fresh air can circulate.
The Red Cross says to throw out food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters, and to remove drywall and insulation that has been in contact with flood water. It also warns that appliances that were inundated should be checked by a professional before you use them, and that items not thoroughly dried can sprout mold and mildew.
When to call a plumber
Call one right away if you can't find or close the main valve, if a line is damaged, if sewage is involved, or if you're not sure the water heater and fixtures are safe to use again. HQ offers 24/7 emergency service, is licensed and insured, and gives upfront pricing before work starts. If you're unsure whether it counts as an emergency, when to call an emergency plumber can help you decide.
Call one right away if you can't find or close the main valve, if a line is damaged, if sewage is involved, or if you're not sure the water heater and fixtures are safe to use again. HQ offers 24/7 emergency service, is licensed and insured, and gives upfront pricing before work starts. If you're unsure whether it counts as an emergency, when to call an emergency plumber can help you decide.
For apartment building managers, what to do when a main water line breaks adds tenant notice and utility steps.