A flooded cellar — acting safely
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
A flooded cellar can be dangerous because of electricity and bacterially contaminated water.
What to do
• Switch off the power at the fuse box before entering a flooded cellar
• Do not go into the cellar if the water reaches electrical equipment
• Call a plumber or the council if sewage is backing up
• Wear boots and gloves when cleaning the cellar
• Ventilate the space well after pumping out
Do not do
• Never enter the cellar if the power has not been switched off
• Do not touch sewage water without protection
Warning signs
• Sewage water (dark, foul-smelling) in the cellar — leave the space
• Electrical equipment standing in the water
Get help if
• A professional electrician is needed for electrical damage
• Mould growth after flooding — a risk to the airways
Why this matters
The combination of water and electricity in cellars is deadly. Bacterially contaminated sewage water causes serious infectious disease.
Source: Gemeente Amsterdam Wateroverlast Procedures · reviewed 2025-01-01