Flooded basement help in Mount Vernon, IN

In Mount Vernon, a lot rides on one reading: the Ohio River at the Mount Vernon gauge. Flood stage there is 35 feet. The river box on this page shows the latest level and the National Weather Service forecast.

The National Weather Service ties these levels to what floods:

• At 40 feet, farm land and some main roads flood in places southwest and west of town.
• At 45 feet, large parts of Point Township are under water.
• At 52 feet, many homes and businesses need to evacuate.

The record crest, about 59 feet, came in February 1937. The two biggest floods since then both came in spring and crested within a few feet of the 52-foot evacuation level.

When the forecast starts climbing, FEMA says to make sure the sump pump is on, close any backflow valves, and clean out the gutters and downspouts.

Not every wet basement in Mount Vernon is river water. There are three common ways in, and each one calls for a different fix.

Rain and snowmelt. Spring is the wet season. The NOAA station in town averages about 5 inches of rain in both April and May, the two wettest months, and the National Weather Service says snowmelt flooding mostly comes in spring too. This is when a sump pump does most of its work.

Sewer backups. Heavy rain can overload sewer lines and push water back up through floor drains. Triple-I lists aging sewers and combined storm and sewage lines among the common causes, and says water seeping from a floor drain is an early warning sign.

The river. In a big flood, low-lying homes near the water can take it in directly. Mount Vernon's houses are older, too. About three in four went up before 1980 (Census Bureau), and most were built long before the county's current FEMA flood map, which dates to 2014.

A sump pump only helps if it runs when you need it, so test it before the spring rains. NDSU Extension says to lift the float for about 10 seconds, or pour water into the pit until the pump kicks on, and make sure it turns on and off at least twice.

Listen while it runs. A pump that sounds like it's grinding gravel, or a float that moves sluggishly, may need replacing. NDSU says common failures come from worn or rusted motor bearings and float switches with poor electrical contact.

Two upgrades are worth asking a plumber about:

• A battery backup. If the power goes out in a storm, the main pump stops. FEMA recommends a battery-operated backup for exactly that reason.
• A backflow valve. It lets water flow out through the sewer line but not back in, so sewage and floodwater can't come up through floor drains, toilets and sinks. FEMA says to have a qualified plumber install it.

One rule to know: don't run the sump pump into the sanitary sewer. Triple-I notes that it's illegal.

Once the power is off and the water has stopped rising, take photos of everything before you move it. Then pump the water out slowly, about a third a day. Indiana's Department of Homeland Security says draining a flooded basement too fast can damage the structure.

Then get things drying. The EPA says wet areas and belongings should dry within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from growing. Mold patches smaller than about 10 square feet are usually a do-it-yourself job.

About half the homes in Mount Vernon heat mainly with electricity (Census Bureau), so a flooded basement often means wet electric heating equipment. Leave it off until someone has checked it.

Call for help if the water came from the sewer or the river, if it's deep or touching the furnace, water heater or panel, or if the sump pump runs and the water keeps rising. The EPA says sewage and other contaminated water call for an experienced professional.

Ask before you buy. Inside city limits, permits come from the city Building Commissioner, not the county, and the city says to start at the Mayor's Office at 520 Main Street. Its forms page doesn't list separate plumbing or HVAC permits, so call and ask what a furnace or water heater swap needs.

If the house is in the floodplain, there's a second rule. Posey County’s floodplain ordinance, which also covers the city, says new construction and substantial improvements must put furnaces, water heaters, AC equipment, meters and electrical gear at least two feet above the regulatory flood level, or be built to keep water out. If your flood repairs count as a substantial improvement, the new furnace may not be allowed back in the same spot. The Floodplain Administrator at the Posey County Area Plan Commission can tell you.

These are national ballparks from cost guides, not Mount Vernon quotes. A typical water damage cleanup runs $1,383 to $6,369, according to HomeAdvisor. Fixr puts a flooded basement at $2,000 to $7,000. Sewage and river water cost more to clean up than clean water.

Some of the smaller pieces, from HomeAdvisor:

• Removing an inch of clean water: $500 to $1,500
• Mold remediation: $1,100 to $3,400
• A new sump pump, installed: $640 to $2,000

Check your insurance before spring. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, and sewer backup coverage is a separate add-on (Triple-I). Only about 1 percent of Indiana households carry flood insurance, according to Indiana Homeland Security. A new policy also has a 30-day wait before it kicks in.

• Ask whether the company is licensed and insured for this work, and get proof of insurance in writing.
• How do you handle sewage or river water differently from clean water?
• How will you show me the space is dry before any walls get closed up?
• Will you document the damage in a way my insurance company can use?

The call button on this page reaches a free referral line that can connect you with an independent local provider. Get a written estimate before work starts.