Department of Building Safety Regarding Flooded Structures

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING SAFETY
CHEBOYGAN COUNTY BUILDING
870 S. MAIN STREET, PO BOX 70
CHEBOYGAN, MI 49721
PHONE: (231)627-8813 FAX: (231)627-8454

For Immediate Release, 4/22/26

Dear Cheboygan County Residents,

If your home has flooded, the Cheboygan County Department of Building Safety is urging all affected
property owners to please use extreme caution and share these important tips to help keep you and loved
ones safe and healthy:

1. Turn off all utilities before re-entering a flooded structure. Never enter a flooded home, basement,
or crawlspace until the electricity and gas supplies have been shut off. For added caution, have an
electrician check the house before turning the power back on.

2. Check for structural stability. Flowing water and ice can apply forces that significantly compromise
buildings. Do not enter any structurally compromised homes without first having the structure
assessed for safety.

3. Avoid touching flood water, it may contain sewage and harmful chemicals. Wash hands before
eating.

4. Flooded private water systems and wells are unsafe for use. Only use bottled, boiled (rolling boil
for 5 minutes), or treated water. Please refer to District Health Department #4 (www.dhd4.org) for
further guidance.

5. Do not immediately pump out a heavily flooded basement or crawlspace during an active flood.
Wait until the ground outside is no longer saturated and floodwaters have receded. The water
inside balances extreme pressures from the saturated soil outside; removing it too quickly can
cause foundation walls to buckle, crack, or collapse. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
recommends that you wait to pump until surface flooding has stopped or receded below
basement/crawl levels. Pump only 1 foot of water each day to reduce the potential for foundation
wall collapses.

6. Ventilate: Once the water is gone and the electrical system has been inspected and approved for
use, immediately bring in fans and dehumidifiers to dry the structure and materials. For more
information on reentering your flooded home, please see the CDC guideline for reentry after a flood
at https://www.cdc.gov/floods/safety/reentering-your-flooded-home-safety.html.

If you have any building safety concerns, please reach out to our office at (231) 627-8813.

Sincerely, Matthew J. Cronk
Building Official and Director of Building Safety