Post Flood Recovery Help

Good NYC resources in one place to save you time

November 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes

WHAT IS THIS: We pulled together useful post-flood recovery resources for NYC from many places organized by who you are and topics…so don’t have to click around as much (we did). Note: suggestions or need something you don’t see here, email us.

Key things:

  1. Take pictures of damages, also track damage costs and extra expenses

  2. Dry things out to prevent mold, walls and floors may hide it

  3. Don’t try to charge or restart flood damaged EV’s

  4. Don’t mix bleach with other cleaning agents (toxic vapors)

  5. You can get help, see many options below

Topics and Quick Links

For Individuals or Homeowners

Avoiding health issues post flood (NYC Health)

”Save or Replace” guide (page 6)

IMPORTANT IN DAYS AFTER FLOOD

  • Drying out areas with fans and humidifiers

  • Take clear photos of any spots or damage

  • If you suspect mold already there, wear a mask but ideally don’t open up walls yourself — that can spread spores

  • Renters, see here on how to manage with landlord

  • More on mold below

For Renters Specifically, including NYCHA

  • FloodChat is a free new tool built for NYC renters specifically. In 40 languages. Lots of useful info in one place. Try out BETA version now.

If you suspect mold: ask for a mold inspection — NYC landlords must fix leaks and remove mold safely under Local Law 55. More steps here from FloodChat.

  • 311: Say: “Tenant Helpline”

    • Connects you with free tenant attorneys under the Right to Counsel program if you qualify. They’ll also walk you through emergency repair or relocation cases.

  • NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group) or (212) 613-5000

    • Storm Response Unit. Helps tenants with flood damage, landlord disputes, FEMA, and insurance claims.

  • Call NYCHA Customer Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771 (open 24/7).

  • Or use the NYCHA MyNYCHA App or MyNYCHA Online to submit a maintenance ticket. Category: “Flooding/Water Leak” → “Apartment” or “Public Space”

  • Baez Mold Ombudsperson Call Center: 888-341-7152
    (They make sure NYCHA follows the court order on mold fixes.)

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NOTE: For other help topics, see list under heading “Individuals” 

For Small Businesses Specifically

  • Help you regain access to your business location and recover your salvageable items once your premises are declared safe by the NYC DOB and FDNY

  • Coordinate with the NYPD to make sure your business location is secure

  • Connect you to local business organizations for possible relocation assistance

  • Help accelerate re-inspections, applications, and permit processes

  • Connect you to an attorney for free legal advice about your business lease or contracts to determine how they may be impacted by an emergency

  • Queens story on how they can help

  • IF in designated flood zone, give up to $5000 for mitigation grants

  • IF NOT in designated zone, can still provide free flood assessments

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NOTE: For other help topics, see list under heading “Individuals” 

Community Groups: Flood Expertise

Staten Island

Bronx

Brooklyn

Queens

Manhattan

>Reporting Floods: Community Data Collection

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NOTE: if you know something we missed or should add, email us

List of City Resources

Help With Debris Removal

Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations

BUT FIRST YOU NEED TO get a case number, which you can do filling out damage report using HPD portal below. ⤵️

To Report Flooding Damages

City Report Damage Portal (HPD)

If your property was damaged during flash flooding, report it to get city help and also help assess citywide impact. Also gives you ticket number for follow up.

  • NYC Housing Recovery Report Damage Portal or call (212) 615-8329

  • Who: homeowners, renters, small businesses

  • Why: helps inform city officials where help is needed, also potential to unlock emergency funding

  • Note: you are required to log in through NYC.ID, a secure authentication solution for NYC-hosted applications. You can use your Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, LinkedIn, or NYC account to sign in

311 Flooding Specific

  • NYC 311 site for flooding or call 311

  • Who: anyone

  • Why: many aspects of flood recovery covered: cleanup, insurance, health. Also good to have ticketed receipt of your request to city to address needs now and in future. Example: you may need to get rid of larger damaged items and request for sanitation pickup

  • Note: if you download and use the 311 app (iPhone, Android), it is a bit easier to submit photos from your phone. A 311 ticket number helps you manage interaction with the city officials.

NYC Emergency Management Flood Recovery

NYC Health

Mayors Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

  • Mayors Office MOCEJ (contact form)

  • Who: anyone but focussed on hardest hit communities

  • Why: to advocate and direct city priorities

Cleaning Up

Clean up guide from NYC Emergency Management

✅ DOs

  • Wear gloves, mask (N95), and eye protection

  • Open windows and run a fan out a window

  • Clean small spots (under 10 sq. ft.) with soap and water first

  • Disinfect after with 1 cup bleach per gallon of water

  • Dry everything completely — fans + dehumidifier help

  • Toss wet carpet, cardboard, or fabrics that stayed damp over 48 hrs

  • Take photos and tell your landlord right away

❌ DON’Ts

  • Don’t paint or caulk over mold.

  • Don’t mix bleach with other cleaners

  • Don’t use Febreze or air fresheners to “cover” smells: you need to know

  • Don’t scrub porous surfaces (drywall, wood)

  • Don’t vacuum with a regular vacuum (spreads spores)

  • Don’t try to clean large mold patches — get a pro or landlord help

”Save Or Replace” guide (page 6)

Start with your senses:

  • Smell: A musty, earthy odor that doesn’t go away after cleaning

  • Sight: Look for

    • Paint or wallpaper bubbling or peeling

    • Dark patches (black, green, or white fuzz) along baseboards or corners

    • Warped floors or soft spots in wood or laminate

  • Touch: Walls/floors that feel damp or spongy 

Pay attention to how you feel:

  • More sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, or headaches at home — especially if it clears up when you go outside — can mean hidden mold.

Check high-risk spots:

  • Behind furniture against exterior walls

  • Around window frames

  • Under sinks or radiators

  • In closets that share a wall with a bathroom

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Guidance on Oil Cleanup for information on cleanup and reporting oil spills. The oil should be removed before the water is pumped out. If the oil is not removed first, the floors and walls will be coated with oil as the water is removed.

Don’t just restart a battery-powered device if it got flooded. Could be dangerous. Article about dangers if got wet.  It can cause short circuits, corrosion, electrolyte leakage, and overheating, potentially leading to fires or explosions. Recharging a wet battery is extremely dangerous and can worsen these risks. It's crucial to immediately disconnect the device, dry the battery, and if there are any signs of damage or swelling, recycle it (NYC locations here). 

DON’T CHARGE OR RESTART if flooded

NOTE: This is an evolving list. If have suggestions or need something you don’t see here email us. Hope helpful.

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