How Storms Put Water Into Beverly Hills Buildings
Storm water gets in several ways. Wind-driven rain pushes through windows, doors and flashing. A heavy burst of rain overwhelms a roof drain or gutter, and water pours over the edge into a wall. A fallen limb punctures a roof. Runoff from a slope or a street flows toward a low door or garage.
In a place where rain is infrequent, buildings and drains may sit untested for months. A dry roof drain that has filled with leaves and dust is a common failure. Hillside lots can see runoff and debris move toward the lower properties, and subterranean garages are the first place water collects.
Storm Drains, Flood Maps and Rain
A City of Beverly Hills Public Works page says the storm drain system is designed to prevent flooding by carrying rainwater from the streets to the ocean. A drain that is clogged or overwhelmed sends that water toward doors and garages.
The FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Los Angeles County lists the city as having no Special Flood Hazard Areas identified, so a loss may be a storm event and still sit outside a mapped flood zone.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard normals for Downtown Los Angeles give 14.25 inches of rain a year, and the 1991 to 2020 table lists most of it in winter.
Source type: Sources: City of Beverly Hills Public Works, FEMA Flood Insurance Study and National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard.
What You See and What It Means
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water under a door or window | Wind-driven rain or runoff is entering | Move items and call |
| Ceiling stain after rain | A roof opening or blocked drain is leaking | Catch drips and call |
| Water in a garage or lower level | Runoff or drain overload | Stay out of deep water and call |
| Fallen limb on a roof | A possible opening in the roof | Keep clear and call a roofer |
| Muddy water in a yard moving toward the house | Surface runoff | Document and call |
Storm Water Safety: The First Hour
Safety comes first. Stay away from downed power lines and keep out of moving water. Do not enter a flooded garage or lower level if water covers outlets, since live power in water can be deadly. Switch off power to the area only if you can reach the panel on dry ground.
Keep clear of power lines and deep water
Call the utility about downed lines.
Move belongings up
Lift items off wet floors and away from windows.
Do not drive through flooded streets
Water depth is hard to judge.
Treat outside water as dirty
Runoff carries soil and contaminants.
Photograph and call
Take photos and note the storm date, then call us and your insurer.
Storm water inside your property?
Call the 24/7 line. We start extraction and drying as soon as it is safe.
What We Do After Storm Water Gets In
The first job is removing standing water with pumps and extractors. Outdoor water is treated as contaminated, so carpet, pad and porous materials that were soaked are often removed. Hard surfaces are cleaned and dried.
Moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras find hidden water in walls and floors. Air movers and LGR dehumidifiers run until readings reach a dry target. If a roof or wall has an opening, a roofer or contractor secures it so the structure is not rewetted. Mud, debris and silt left behind are cleaned out. The EPA offers guidance on cleaning up after flooding, and the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard is the published reference for water categories.
What Affects the Cost of Storm Water Damage
Storm losses depend on how much water got in and where from. These five factors matter most.
Water category
Outdoor water usually needs more cleaning and removal.
Area and depth
More wet area and deeper water mean more equipment.
Silt and debris
Mud and debris add labor.
Drying days
Equipment stays until readings in walls and floors match unaffected areas.
Rebuild and repair scope
Roof, window and finish work are priced separately.
Coverage often depends on the source of water. Read your policy or call your insurer before assuming either way. Dial (424) 550-5662 with the storm details and the crew explains scope and price before extraction starts.
Insurance Fit After a Storm
Wind and rain damage through a storm-created opening is often handled differently from rising surface water. Flood damage, meaning water that rises from the ground or flows in from outside, is usually excluded from standard homeowners policies and covered separately. According to the California Department of Insurance, flood damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners policies.
Note the date of the storm, photograph all damage and keep receipts for emergency repairs. Ask your insurer which part of the loss falls where.
Prevention and Mistakes to Avoid
- Walking or driving through moving water
- Leaving wet carpet and drywall in place after dirty water
- Ignoring clogged gutters and roof drains before the rainy season
- Delaying temporary roof or window protection
- Throwing away damaged items before photographing them
Common questions
Yes, subject to road and safety conditions. The line is answered around the clock, and a crew goes out the same day when available.
Water that comes from outdoors is generally treated as contaminated, since it carries soil and other material.
No. We handle the interior water damage. A roofer or contractor secures openings.
It depends on whether the water came through a storm-created opening or rose from outside. Flood is usually excluded. Check your policy.
Clear gutters and drains, check roof flashing, know your shutoffs and keep sump equipment tested.
Roof-related leaks are covered under roof leak water damage. For flooding from the outside, see flood damage restoration. Storm calls are taken for Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Dispatch is explained on the service area page.