Many residents of Texas and Oklahoma must feel like Mickey Mousein The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Disney's “Fantasia” asthey watch the water flooding in despite their best efforts.Between storms businesses and residents are trying to put theirlives back together, but they face a daunting task.

If you'rein this situation and trying to decide what to do first, here aresome tips from The Property Casualty Insurers Association ofAmerica (PCI) on what steps to take if you have flooding damage aswell as suggestions for filing and managing a claim.

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Shovel or scrape the mud off your floors, furniture and wallsbefore the mud dries. Then hose down the walls with clean water,starting from the ceiling.

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Major appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves, can bewashed and dried completely. In most cases, they will not bedamaged unless they were operating at the time the water coveredthem.

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Diluted chlorine bleach can be used to clean household items,appliances, walls and floors. This also will help controlodors.

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Wood furniture should be dried outdoors, but not in directsunlight. Remove drawers and other moving parts before theydry.

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A flooded basement should be pumped gradually to preventstructural damage. Pump out about a third of the water per day.

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Water and electricity make for a dangerous combination. Take theproper precautions to avoid electric shock.

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Food utensils and equipment should be washed thoroughly andsterilized before you use them. Any food that is open and exposedto flood waters should be discarded.

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If you have a loss

When your home or business has been flooded, you're sure to havesome kind of loss. Even if you haven't been able to estimate theamount or completely assess the damage, take the following steps assoon as possible.

• Immediately contact your insurance agent or companyrepresentative.
• Inspect property and cars for damage.
• Inventory losses and photograph damage, and save relatedreceipts to assist with claims handling.
• Secure property from further damage or theft.
• Check the background and legitimacy of repair contractors. Askyour insurance company for assistance in locating a reputablecontractor.
• Keep detailed records of business activity and extra expensesduring the interruption period, and prepare records to show theincome from the business both before and after the loss.