Flood Cleanup in Glendale After Fall Storms

By the Glendale Water Damage Repair team · Updated November 2026

What to do first

1. Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or appliances are under it. Switch off power at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water.
2. Do not drive or walk through flooded streets or washes. NWS says about 1 to 2 feet of water can float most vehicles.
3. Wear rubber boots and gloves around floodwater that came in from outside.
4. Take photos and video of the water line, floors, walls and damaged belongings before anything is moved or thrown out.
5. Call your insurer or adjuster, then call to be connected with a local provider for flood cleanup.

Why do Glendale homes still need flood cleanup after monsoon season?

Glendale homes still need flood cleanup in the fall because storms do not follow the calendar. NWS defines the monsoon as June 15 through September 30, yet some of the heaviest recent rain in the Phoenix area fell in late September and October. Remnants of tropical systems can bring long, soaking rain that overwhelms yards, gutters and streets.

Fall storms are easy to underestimate. When a heavy storm arrives, water can run off paved surfaces and find the lowest door, slider or garage threshold.

What does flood cleanup involve for a Glendale home?

Flood cleanup in Glendale means removing standing water, cleaning surfaces the water touched, taking out materials that cannot be dried, and drying the structure until moisture readings are back to normal. It is more than mopping up. Water from outside can carry dirt, debris and sewage, so it is handled differently from a clean pipe leak.

• Water removal: pumps and extractors pull water from floors and carpet. See emergency water extraction.
• Removing wet materials: soaked carpet pad, insulation and the bottom of drywall often come out.
• Cleaning: surfaces the floodwater touched are cleaned before drying.
• Drying: air movers and dehumidifiers run until readings confirm the area is dry. See structural drying.

Is outside floodwater different from a burst pipe leak?

Yes. Water from a burst supply pipe starts out clean, while floodwater that came in from the yard or street is treated as dirty water because it picks up soil, debris and whatever was on the ground.

If a toilet, drain or sewer line backed up during the storm, treat that as sewage. Keep people out of the area and read about sewage backup cleanup.

How much drywall has to come out after a flood?

After flooding, the Arizona Department of Health Services advises removing all sheetrock to at least 12 inches above the high-water mark. Drywall wicks water upward, so the wet line inside the wall is often higher than the stain you can see. ADHS notes this step may need a licensed contractor.

For the trade-offs between drying and replacing, see dry and restore vs. replace.

Does homeowners insurance pay for flood cleanup in Arizona?

Often it does not. FEMA says most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, which is why separate flood policies exist. Arizona DIFI says water damage not caused by a flood may be covered if it results from a sudden or accidental event, and that your own policy spells out what is and is not covered.

• Call your insurer or adjuster before calling a contractor, as DIFI advises, and confirm coverage with the adjuster.
• Take photos before any cleanup starts, and keep a log of dates, times, names and the drying equipment used.
• If you are thinking about flood insurance for next season, FEMA says there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a National Flood Insurance Program policy takes effect, with some exceptions.

What happens during the visit?

When you call, you are connected with a local provider who comes out to look at the damage before any work is agreed. A typical visit looks like this:

1. Inspection: the provider walks the affected rooms, finds where the water came in, and takes moisture readings in floors, walls and cabinets, including spots that look dry.
2. Options explained: they explain what can be dried in place, what needs to come out, and how outside floodwater changes those choices.
3. Written quote first: you receive a written quote that lists the work before anything starts, so you can share it with your adjuster or compare it with another quote.

Keep a copy of everything you sign.

How can I prepare my Glendale home before the next big storm?

The simplest flood prep is keeping water moving away from the house. Before the next storm season, walk your property and fix the easy things.

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, yard drains and the grates by your driveway.
• Check that soil and gravel slope away from the foundation and patio doors.
• Keep sandbags or barriers for low doors and the garage threshold.
• Photograph your rooms and belongings now, so you have a record if a storm hits.

For more on storm damage, see storm and flood damage cleanup.

Fall flooding in Glendale and the West Valley

Glendale is dry most of the year. Phoenix Sky Harbor averages 7.22 inches of rain a year (1991-2020), and NWS says Phoenix averages 2.43 inches during the monsoon. But NWS also says flash floods are common in Arizona. On one day in late September 2025, Sky Harbor received 1.64 inches of rain, its highest one-day total since October 13, 2018. During the October 12-13, 2025 storms, NWS Phoenix reported water rescues, road closures and overflowing washes in the Phoenix metro.

Homes in Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage and Avondale see the same storm patterns as Glendale.

• Hiring: Arizona law makes it unlawful to act as a contractor without a license in good standing unless exempt, and DIFI says it is your right to get more than one quote.
• After storms: DIFI warns against high-pressure sales and door-to-door offers you did not request.
• Renters: DIFI advises renters to check with their landlord before any repair work begins.

See all service areas near Glendale.

Related pages

• Storm and flood damage cleanup
• Emergency water extraction
• Structural drying and dehumidification
• Water damage restoration in Surprise