Foley Water Damage Restoration and Storm Cleanup

Inland From the Beach, but Not Out of the Rain

Foley sits a few miles inland from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, at about 62 feet above sea level, and it covers more than 32 square miles of south Baldwin County. Because it is set back from the beach, direct storm surge is not the main concern for most of the city. Rain is.

Hurricane Sally showed that clearly in September 2020. The storm moved so slowly that a station in Foley recorded 21.04 inches of rain, and nearby Elberta measured 20.99 inches. At the same time, surge along the coast kept water from draining normally, and the Fish River and Styx River both reached major flood stage. Foley and Gulf Shores were left with the most extensive damage in Baldwin County.

Water damage in Foley therefore often starts from above or from the ground up: wind-damaged roofs letting rain in, saturated yards pushing water into garages and slab homes, and everyday plumbing failures in between storms.

A Growing City With Many Newer Homes and Retirees

Foley has grown quickly, from about 14,600 residents in 2010 to more than 20,300 in 2020. Much of that growth came as new subdivisions on former farmland along corridors such as Highway 59, U.S. 98 and the Foley Beach Express.

The city also has an older population than most, with a median age of 48.5 and nearly 29 percent of residents 65 or older. For many households, moving soaked furniture or pulling up wet carpet is not realistic, and that is exactly when a call to (888) 817-5061 makes sense. The restoration company you are connected with can handle heavy lifting and set up drying equipment.

Newer homes are not immune to leaks. Supply lines under sinks, refrigerator ice maker hoses and washing machine connections fail in houses of every age, and a slow leak inside a wall can go unnoticed for weeks.

Before the Restoration Crew Gets There

A few calm steps in the first hour can reduce how much material has to be removed later:

• Turn off the water. Find the main shutoff now, before you need it. Every adult in the household should know where it is.
• Stay clear of live wiring. Do not wade through water that touches outlets, extension cords or appliances.
• Treat floodwater as contaminated. Water that comes in from outside after heavy rain is considered Category 3 and may carry sewage or chemicals. Clean supply-line water is Category 1, though it can degrade if left sitting.
• Record the damage. Take wide shots and close-ups of each room, the water source and damaged belongings before anything is thrown away.
• Save what you can. Move photos, documents and electronics to a dry area and prop up furniture.

Then call for help with emergency water extraction so drying can begin promptly.

From Wet Floors to Finished Repairs in Foley

Most local providers handle water damage restoration in Foley in four stages.

1. Extraction. Pumps and extraction wands remove standing water from carpet, tile, laminate and slab floors.
2. Moisture mapping. Meters and infrared cameras trace water into walls, cabinets and adjoining rooms, and the readings are logged for your records.
3. Drying. Dehumidifiers and air movers run, with daily readings, until materials reach normal moisture levels. Baseboards or the lower part of drywall may be cut away so wall cavities can breathe. Read more about structural drying.
4. Rebuild. Water damage repair replaces drywall, insulation, flooring and trim once everything tests dry.

It is reasonable to ask any provider how it is licensed, insured and trained (IICRC certification is one example) before work starts. For residential repair or remodeling costing more than $10,000, Alabama requires a license from the Home Builders Licensure Board, and roofers need one when the work exceeds $2,500.

Flood Zones, Permits and Flood Cleanup in Foley

The City of Foley handles floodplain rules under its Flood Ordinance 19-2012. Through its flood zone information page, the City offers applications for flood determination letters and for development in special flood hazard areas. If you are rebuilding after a flood, check with the City about permits before major repairs begin.

Sally proved that properties outside mapped flood zones can still take on water when 20-plus inches of rain fall. Flood cleanup after that kind of event usually means removing soaked drywall, insulation and carpet, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and then drying the structure fully before any rebuild. For storm damage cleanup in Foley, roof tarping comes first so the next rain does not undo the work.

Damp Air, Wet Drywall and Mold Removal

Following EPA guidance, mold may begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. South Baldwin County's humidity means wet drywall and carpet pad rarely dry well on their own, and closed-up homes during a power outage are especially vulnerable.

Alabama has no state license specifically for mold remediation, based on an industry roundup of state rules, and we could not find an official Alabama agency that licenses mold assessors or remediators. Because of that, it is wise to ask any company offering mold cleanup in Foley what training and industry certifications it holds (for example IICRC), and to request written moisture readings and clearance documentation at the end.

See how professional mold removal uses containment to keep spores out of unaffected rooms.

Claims, Roof Grants and Business Properties

Most standard homeowners policies leave out flood damage; that coverage comes through an NFIP or private flood policy, and NFIP coverage usually starts only after a 30-day waiting period. Wind and roof damage may be handled under a different part of your policy, so describe the cause of loss clearly when you report it.

The Alabama Department of Insurance's Strengthen Alabama Homes program offers grants that help eligible homeowners upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof, which is designed to keep wind-driven rain out. Eligibility rules change over time, so check current terms.

Foley is also a busy commercial hub, with retail along Highway 59 and the 520-acre OWA resort. Store managers, property owners and HOA boards can call (888) 817-5061 for water damage help at commercial sites. Nearby beach properties in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are covered by the same free referral line.

Foley Corridors and South Baldwin Communities

The WaterQ referral line connects callers throughout Foley and surrounding south Baldwin County with independent local restoration providers.

Neighborhoods

• Downtown Foley
• South McKenzie Street corridor
• OWA district
• Highway 59 corridor
• Foley Beach Express corridor
• U.S. 98 corridor

Nearby communities

• Gulf Shores
• Orange Beach
• Elberta
• Magnolia Springs
• Summerdale
• Bon Secour
• Robertsdale
• Fairhope

Local emergency and flood resources

Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Foley:

• City of Foley Flood Zone Information
• City of Foley Building Department
• Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency
• Alert Baldwin emergency notifications