When Floodwater Is an Emergency
If water is coming into your Beverly Hills home or garage right now, treat it as an emergency. Our line is open 24/7, and the person who answers will help you decide what to do while a crew is arranged. Shut off the main water valve if the source is inside the house, lift valuables and electronics off the floor, and keep people and pets out of any water that may carry sewage or runoff.
Electrical and gas safety come first
- Do not wade through standing water near outlets, panels or appliances
- Cut power only if you can reach the panel while standing on dry ground
- If water has reached outlets or you smell gas, leave and call 911 or the utility before calling the restoration line
- Keep children and pets out of the affected rooms until crews confirm they are safe
Flood damage restoration covers the water that arrives from outside or from below: storm runoff, groundwater, failed pumps and sewer backups. It differs from a burst pipe because the water is often Category 2 or 3 under the S500 standard, which changes what can be dried and what has to be removed. For clean water from a broken line, see emergency water removal.
How Beverly Hills Properties Flood
Flooding here rarely looks like a river. It is more often runoff finding the lower level of a hillside property, a garage drain that backs up, a failed sump or ejector pump in a below-grade room, a broken irrigation line, or a utility main that fails. In 2026, a 36-inch trunk line in neighboring West Hollywood sent about 17 million gallons of water down Sunset Boulevard and into underground garages, according to local news reports.
The lesson for Beverly Hills owners is practical. Below-grade garages and lower levels collect water first, so find the pump if you have one and test it, keep drains clear, and know where your shutoff is. To see how your address is classified, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and ask the Beverly Hills Community Development Department about drainage requirements for hillside lots.
| Scenario | Likely water category | First priority |
|---|---|---|
| Storm runoff enters a garage or lower level | Category 2 or 3 | Stay out, shut off power if safe, extract and remove porous materials |
| Sump or ejector pump fails in a below-grade room | Category 2 or 3 if sewage is involved | Stop use of drains above, extract, clean and treat |
| Irrigation or supply line breaks outside and floods in | Category 1 at first, can degrade | Shut off the source, extract fast, dry before it ages |
| Utility main failure floods a street or garage | Category 2 or 3 | Wait for the utility to isolate the line, then extract and clean |
| Rain enters through a roof or window | Category 1 or 2 | Contain the leak, extract and dry the structure |
Basement Flooding Cleanup
Many Beverly Hills homes have a lower level or basement, and many condo buildings have subterranean parking and storage. Water in these spaces cannot drain away, so it sits and soaks into drywall, framing, stored boxes and carpet. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, so the clock matters.
The work runs in a set order. Standing water is pumped out, wet carpet and pad come up, saturated drywall is cut above the wet line, and air movers and dehumidifiers dry what remains. If the water came from outside or from a drain, surfaces are cleaned and treated before anything is rebuilt. Restoration is not waterproofing, so if water keeps entering after a dry spell, the entry point needs a separate fix.
Water in a garage or lower level?
Call the 24/7 line. Crews are sent the same day when available.
Sewage Backup Cleanup: What to Do First
Sewage coming up through a floor drain, shower or toilet is a Category 3 loss. Do not touch it, do not run more water down the drains, and keep everyone out of the room. The EPA says to call in a professional with experience cleaning buildings damaged by contaminated water, and that is the right call here.
Crews extract the contaminated water, remove porous materials such as carpet, pad and soaked drywall, then clean and treat what remains. A plumber or the city can tell you whether the blockage sits in your private line or a public main, which matters for the repair and for any claim.
What Affects the Cost of Flood Damage Restoration
Flood jobs vary more than most water losses because the water source and the space both change the scope. These five factors set most of the cost.
Water category
Category 3 water means more removal and a more involved cleaning plan.
Affected area
A single garage bay and a whole lower level are different jobs.
Materials involved
Carpet, drywall, stored contents and finished floors respond differently to contaminated water.
Drying days and equipment
Lower levels dry slowly, so equipment may run longer.
Rebuild scope
Replacing drywall, flooring and finishes is priced separately.
California Department of Insurance guidance says homeowners and commercial policies typically exclude flood, mudslide and debris flow, and that flood coverage is sold through the National Flood Insurance Program. A standard flood policy takes effect 30 days after purchase, with limited exceptions. Check your policy or ask your insurer.
Your number depends on your building. Call (424) 550-5662 and we will explain the work and the price up front.
Common questions
Yes. The emergency line is answered 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. A crew is sent the same day when one is available, and you will get safety guidance on the phone while you wait.
Stay out of the water, stop using sinks, showers and toilets, and call the emergency line. Do not try to clean it yourself, because sewage carries contamination that requires protective gear and proper disposal.
Usually not. California insurance guidance says policies typically exclude flood, and flood coverage comes through separate policies such as the National Flood Insurance Program. Check your policy or ask your insurer.
The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, so quick extraction and drying matter. If mold has already appeared, see our mold remediation page.
No. Restoration cleans, dries and rebuilds what flooded. Waterproofing is a separate trade that keeps water from entering later.
Yes. See the West Hollywood page for how that city's two water utilities and its permit office affect a loss.
Once the water is out, the structure still has to be dried properly, which is the job of water mitigation. After drying, water damage repair rebuilds what could not be saved.