Knowing what to do when a basement floods is critical, especially when electrical hazards or other emergencies are involved. Monmouth Fire Chief Casey Rexroat offers this advice:
“You might think to call the fire department if the water is high enough to where it has gotten into a service panel. They want us to come out and pump it out or do something about it when it gets that high, but unfortunately there is not really a lot we can do. If it does get above an electrical panel, it could energize the water. That might be a time to call an electrician instead of the fire department to see if they can shut the power off to the house, get that water pumped out, let it dry out, and get that power back on. If there is somebody in danger or somebody hurt, call the fire department.”
