Storm damage cleanup in Marin County: what to do first and when to call a pro

Deep dive · Updated October 17, 2026

After a big storm in Marin County, the damage rarely comes in one form. Water is in the crawlspace, a limb is on the roof, mud has washed against the garage, and the carpet is soaked. Storm damage cleanup means dealing with all of it in the right order, so a bad night doesn't turn into weeks of mold and repairs. This guide covers what to do first, what cleanup involves, how to document it for insurance, and when to call a pro. If you need help now, call or text (628) 336-1777, 24/7.

What to do first after a storm

1. Make sure everyone is safe. If water is rising, a tree is on the house or you smell gas, leave and call 911.
2. Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them, including fences, puddles and branches. Report them to PG&E or 911.
3. Turn off power to flooded areas only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Otherwise, wait for PG&E or an electrician.
4. Photograph everything before you move it: water lines on walls, the roof from the ground, debris and damaged belongings.
5. Stop more water from getting in. Get a tarp on a damaged roof (by a roofer, not from a ladder in the wind) and keep sandbags in place while rain continues. The County keeps a list of free sandbag stations; see free sandbags in Marin County.
6. Call your insurer to open a claim, and ask what they need before work starts.
7. Start drying within 24 to 48 hours. The EPA says drying water-damaged materials within that window usually prevents mold growth (EPA).

Storm and flood history in Marin County

Ross Valley is Marin's best-known flood zone. On December 31, 2005, Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries overflowed. The Marin County Flood Control District says the flooding caused nearly $95 million in damage in Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield and Larkspur, and it led to the Ross Valley Flood Protection and Watershed Program (Marin County Flood Control District). In San Anselmo, a Town staff report described the flood as rivaling the "Flood of 1982," and said black water left biological waste and "the beginnings of significant mold growth" in Town buildings within a day (Town of San Anselmo).

That last point is the lesson for homeowners: storm cleanup is a race against contamination and mold, not just a mop-up.

What storm damage cleanup involves

Water extraction and drying

Standing water comes out first, with pumps and truck-mounted or portable extractors. Then the structure is dried with commercial dehumidifiers and air movers, and a technician checks walls, floors and framing with a moisture meter until they reach dry readings. Wet carpet pad, insulation and drywall that soaked up floodwater usually have to be removed rather than dried.

Mud, silt and flood debris

Floodwater from creeks and rivers carries mud, silt and sewage. The EPA treats it as contaminated: wear boots, gloves and eye protection, and throw out porous items that can't be cleaned and disinfected (EPA). Silt left in crawlspaces and wall cavities holds moisture and feeds mold, so it has to be shoveled and washed out, not just left to dry.

Trees, limbs and yard debris

Fallen trees and limbs often come with roof, fence and power-line damage. A tree on the house or on lines is a job for a tree service and, where lines are involved, PG&E. Never run a chainsaw on a tree that's under tension or touching wires. Keep cut branches away from drains and creeks so they don't block water in the next storm.

Roof damage and emergency tarping

Missing shingles, a punctured deck or a leak from a limb strike needs an emergency tarp fastened through wood battens, then a permanent repair. Our sister site explains emergency roof tarping in Marin County and what a proper tarp job looks like.

Mold prevention

Mold is the damage that shows up later. Fast drying, removing wet porous materials, and checking hidden spaces like crawlspaces and wall cavities keep it from starting. If materials stayed wet for more than two days, read about mold inspection after water damage.

Where storm damage hits hardest in Marin

• Ross Valley creeks: homes along Corte Madera Creek and San Anselmo Creek in San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax, Kentfield and Larkspur, where creek flooding pushes muddy water into crawlspaces and ground floors.
• Low bayside neighborhoods: the Canal area of San Rafael, and parts of Corte Madera and Mill Valley, where heavy rain and high tides together slow drainage.
• Wooded hillsides: oaks, bays and redwoods over roofs in Mill Valley, Fairfax and West Marin, where falling limbs and hillside runoff are the main problems.
• Novato and Sausalito, where hillside drainage and low streets can send water toward garages and lower floors.

Safety during cleanup

• Electricity and water: don't enter a flooded room until power is off.
• Generators: run them outdoors, away from doors and windows, because of carbon monoxide (Ready.gov).
• Contaminated water: treat creek and river floodwater as unsafe, and wash hands often (Ready.gov).
• Structural damage: sagging ceilings and soaked drywall can collapse. Stay out of rooms where a tree hit the structure.
• Heavy lifting: wet drywall, carpet and sandbags are heavier than they look. Work in pairs.

Insurance documentation

• Photos and video of every room, before and after cleanup, including water lines and damaged items.
• A written list of damaged belongings, with ages and rough values. Keep samples of carpet and flooring if you can.
• Every receipt: tarps, pumps, fans, hotel stays and the cleanup invoice.
• Notes of every call with your insurer: the date, the person and what they said.
• Know your coverage. Standard homeowner policies generally don't cover flood from rising water, which needs separate flood insurance. Wind, a falling tree or a roof leak are handled differently. The California Department of Insurance has disaster and claims resources and a consumer hotline.

When to call a pro

• Water got into walls, under floors or into the crawlspace
• Floodwater or sewage was involved
• More than a small area is wet, or it has been wet for more than a day
• A tree or limb hit the roof
• You can smell mustiness after the water is gone

Before anyone starts work, check their license on the CSLB license check. CSLB warns that contracting without a license in a declared disaster area is a felony (CSLB). Be wary of out-of-area crews going door to door after a storm.

How we help

Marin Water Damage is a free referral service. Tell us what happened, and we connect you with an independent, licensed local provider for emergency storm damage repair: water extraction, drying, debris and mud removal, and coordination with roofers and mold pros. Call or text (628) 336-1777, or use the form below.

Related reading

• El Niño flood prevention for Marin
• Free sandbags in Marin County
• Water damage restoration in Marin: the complete guide
• Emergency roof tarping in Marin County
• Mold inspection after water damage in Marin County

Sources

• Marin County Flood Control District: Zone 9, Ross Valley
• Town of San Anselmo: staff report on the December 31, 2005 flood
• EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
• EPA: Flooded homes
• Ready.gov: Floods
• Ready.gov: Power outages
• California Department of Insurance: Catastrophes
• CSLB: license check
• CSLB: disaster information
• National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area

Sources checked November 2, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal, insurance or medical advice. Sources are linked in the text. Marin Water Damage is a referral service and doesn't perform the work.