Storm & Flood Damage Restoration in Lynn
When a nor'easter or flash flood puts water inside your home, it brings mud, salt and contamination with it. Call as soon as it is safe and we will start pumping out, cleaning and drying.
Call 24/7: (781) 555-0142- Calls answered 24/7
- Free inspection
- Insurance claim help
What is storm and flood damage restoration?
Storm and flood damage restoration is the cleanup of water that enters a home from outside: storm surge, overflowing rivers or flash flooding. Because flood water is contaminated, the work involves pumping, removing mud and porous materials, disinfecting and drying. In Lynn, the Lynnway, Lynn Shore Drive and the Saugus River area are the most exposed.
Last updated . Sources are listed at the end of this page.
When storm damage needs professional cleanup
Flood water from outside is treated as contaminated, even if it looks clear. Call if you have:
- Water that came in from the street, yard, beach or river, in any amount
- A water line, mud or silt left on walls and floors after the water went down
- Wet insulation, drywall or flooring on the first floor or in the basement
- Wind damage to the roof or windows that let rain in
- Furnace, water heater or electrical panel that was under water (do not turn them back on)
- A smell of fuel oil, sewage or salt water in the house
How we restore storm and flood damage
Storm jobs often come in waves, with many homes hit on the same night. The steps are the same; the order matters.
- 1
Wait for it to be safe
Do not go into flood water or a basement with the power on. If the utility has not shut off power to your area and water is near outlets or the panel, wait for an electrician or the utility.
- 2
Pump out and remove debris
Flood water is pumped out once outside water has dropped, so it does not just flow back in. Mud, silt and debris are shoveled and removed.
- 3
Remove what flood water touched
Because flood water is contaminated, porous materials it reached, like drywall, insulation, carpet and pad, are usually cut out and discarded, typically to a foot or two above the water line.
- 4
Clean and disinfect
Remaining surfaces are washed and disinfected. Salt water from storm surge also leaves residue that needs rinsing, because it holds moisture and corrodes metal.
- 5
Dry the structure
Dehumidifiers and air movers dry framing, subfloors and foundation walls. Moisture readings decide when it is done.
- 6
Document for insurance
Flood claims need detailed records. Photos, moisture logs and lists of removed materials are provided for your flood or homeowners insurer.
Not sure how bad it is?
A two-minute call and a few questions usually tell us what the job needs.
Call 24/7: (781) 555-0142Where storms hit hardest in Lynn
Lynn faces the ocean on one side and the Saugus River on the other, and it gets both coastal and inland flooding.
The Lynnway and the harbor
The Lynnway runs along the edge of Lynn Harbor on low, filled land. During strong nor'easters that line up with high tides, water can come over the seawalls and onto the road and nearby properties. Businesses and homes on the low side of the Lynnway are some of the first to see water.
Lynn Shore Drive and King's Beach
Lynn Shore Drive faces Nahant Bay, from King's Beach toward the Nahant Rotary. Waves and surge during big storms can throw water and sand across the road and into the streets behind it, including parts of the Diamond District with its Victorian homes.
The Saugus River floodplain
The Saugus River estuary on Lynn's western edge is tidal, and storm surge can push up it toward West Lynn. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers floodgate study of the Saugus River found roughly 1,200 Lynn buildings in the floodplain.
Flash floods inland
Storms do not have to come from the ocean. Intense rainstorms have flooded streets well away from the water, including Boston Street, Summer Street and River Street, and the Strawberry Brook area. In August 2018, around 8 inches of rain fell in a short time and many streets and basements in Lynn flooded.
Preparing before the next storm
If you live near the water or in a low area, move valuables out of the basement before storm season, test your sump pump, keep a battery backup, and know how to turn off your power and gas. Our flooded basement cleanup page covers what to do if water still gets in.
What affects the cost of storm damage cleanup
Flood cleanups vary widely. These factors make the biggest difference:
- How high the water got
- A few inches in a basement is very different from water across the first floor.
- Salt water versus rain water
- Storm surge leaves salt that needs extra rinsing and can damage metal, wiring and appliances.
- Mud and debris
- Silt and debris have to be removed by hand before drying can start.
- How much has to be removed
- Because flood water is contaminated, more porous material is usually removed than in a clean-water leak.
- Timing
- After a big storm, many homes need help at once. Early calls get on the schedule first.
- Roof or window damage
- Wind damage may need emergency tarping or board-up before interior work can start.
We do not quote prices online. Every estimate is based on what we measure on site, and inspections are free.
Does insurance cover storm and flood damage?
This is the most important distinction in water damage insurance:
- Wind and rain coming through a damaged roof or window are usually covered by homeowners insurance.
- Flood water, meaning water rising from outside (storm surge, overflowing rivers, surface runoff), is excluded from homeowners policies. It is covered only by flood insurance, either through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood policy.
NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect, so they need to be in place before storm season. They also limit what is covered in basements. If you live in Lynn's floodplain, it is worth checking your coverage now.
Read more in our Massachusetts water damage insurance guide.
What the work looks like
Illustrative photos of a typical result, not from a specific job.
Sources
- FloodSmart.gov: the National Flood Insurance Program
- Ready.gov: Floods
- American Red Cross: Flood Safety
About this page: written by the Lynn Water Damage Pros team for property owners in Lynn and the North Shore, and last reviewed . It is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Check your own policy for what it covers.
Storm & Flood Damage: common questions
Is flood water really that dangerous?
Yes. Flood water picks up sewage, fuel, chemicals and debris, and it is stronger than it looks: Ready.gov warns that just six inches of moving water can knock you down. Treat all flood water as contaminated, wear boots and gloves, and keep children away from it.
When can I start cleaning up?
Once the water outside has gone down and the power to wet areas is confirmed off or safe. Start documenting right away with photos and video, before you move or throw anything out.
Can my furnace or water heater be saved after a flood?
Do not turn on any gas or oil appliance that was under water. Have a licensed technician inspect it. Many flooded units need replacement, and flood insurance often covers that.
Do I need flood insurance in Lynn?
If your home is in or near a flood zone along the coast or the Saugus River, it is strongly worth considering, and your lender may require it. Homeowners policies do not cover rising flood water.
How soon after a storm can you come?
After a large storm, many homes need help at once. Call as soon as you can, even before the water is fully down, so your home is on the list.
Related services
Emergency Water Removal
Standing water pumped and extracted fast, day or night.
Flooded Basement Cleanup
Sump pump failures, groundwater seepage and spring-thaw flooding.
Mold Remediation
Removing mold that grows after a leak or flood.
We also serve nearby towns
Based in Lynn and working across the North Shore, including:
Water still coming in? Call now.
Shut off the water if you can do it safely, keep away from wet outlets, and call. We will talk you through the next few minutes and get help moving.