May 25, 2020 - It is recommended that water not be pumped from flooded basements without first consulting a licensed building contractor or licensed restoration company. Grounds surrounding basement walls in flood-affected areas are still extremely saturated with ground water, which applies pressure against already-compromised or weakened foundations. Any water located in the interior of the structure equalizes that pressure. If pumped out too quickly, loss of that equalized pressure could cause basement walls to collapse.
Please refrain from pumping out basements until the surrounding ground has dried. Alternatively, property owners should let the water drain naturally through the floor drain or consult a licensed restoration company who can advise on pumping the basement out safely. Licensed contractors and restoration companies will have the knowledge and expertise to determine if a flooded basement can and should have water pumped from it.
Please continue to monitor updates and conditions via the following resources:
- www.midland911.org
- www.cityofmidlandmi.gov
- Facebook channels for the following entities:
- Midland County Emergency Management (MI)
- Midland County 911
- City of Midland, Michigan – Municipal Government
- Twitter: @CityofMidlandMI
- Twitter: @MidlandCountyMI
- Call 2-1-1
- Sign up for 911 text and email alerts through Nixle.com