Storms in the High Desert are rare, and that is part of the problem. Homes here are built for sun, not for a week of rain, and when heavy weather comes the water finds every weak point at once. A roof seam, a door threshold, a window frame, a garage door or a low patio can all let it in. If storm water is inside your home now, call (760) 769-1159.
How storms damage Apple Valley homes
The Town of Apple Valley general plan flooding element describes three storm types that affect the area. Winter storms usually occur between November and April and bring most of the rain. Local thunderstorms can happen in any season. Tropical storms arrive in summer or early fall and tend to hit desert areas after forming off Baja California.
The same Town element records past events. A 20-minute storm in August 1961 sent mud flows into homes near Bell Mountain, and a two-hour storm in 1963 caused flash flooding downtown. More recently, the National Weather Service documented torrential rain from Tropical Storm Hilary across mountain and desert communities in August 2023.
Dry ground sheds water instead of absorbing it, so runoff sheet flows across lots and pools against foundations. The Town element notes that the Apple Valley Dry Lake collects runoff from most of the town. Wind drives rain sideways into windows and under doors. Roofs that have baked for years crack under the load.
After a storm the first question is where the water entered, because the answer decides who pays and what gets fixed. Entry at the roof is one claim, a rising wash is another, and a clogged drain on a flat roof is a third. Photograph the entry point, the water line and the conditions, and do it before cleanup changes the picture.
Signs storm water got inside
| What you notice | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Water coming under a door or garage threshold | Runoff has reached the foundation and found a gap |
| Stains on a ceiling or wall after rain | The roof or a wall opening let water in |
| Wet carpet along an exterior wall | Water entered at the wall base or the window below |
| Standing water in the yard against the house | Grading or drainage is sending water toward the foundation |
| Mud on the floor | Runoff carrying soil has entered the house |
If the entry point was the roof, our page on roof leak water damage covers the interior side of that loss. For deep standing water, flood damage restoration is the closer match.
First-hour safety steps after storm water gets in
Storm water can be dirty and live
Storm runoff carries soil, debris and sometimes sewage. Do not wade through it if outlets or cords may be wet. Turn off breakers only from a dry panel, and call the electric utility about downed lines or flooding near a meter.
- Stay out of deep water and keep children and pets away.
- Turn off power to wet areas only if you can reach the panel from dry ground.
- Move valuables up and out of the wet area.
- Block the entry with sandbags or plastic sheeting if it is safe to do so, and tarp a damaged roof opening only from the ground or with a professional.
- Photograph everything, then call. The California Department of Insurance advises making temporary repairs and keeping a call log.
Storm water inside?
Stay out of the water and call (760) 769-1159. We answer all hours.
How we clean up storm water damage
We start with extraction using submersible pumps and extractors, then clear mud and debris. Moisture meters and a thermal camera map the damage in walls, floors and ceilings. Runoff is often treated as contaminated because it picks up soil and animal waste along the way, so porous materials are handled accordingly.
Air movers and LGR dehumidifiers dry the structure, and antimicrobial products clean hard surfaces. ANSI/IICRC S500 is the published reference for water damage restoration, and we follow it as a drying guide. We do not repair roofs or regrade lots, so a roofer or landscape contractor handles those.
See water mitigation for the drying process, and water damage cleanup for what comes out.
What changes the cost of storm water cleanup
- The depth and area of the water and whether it contains mud
- The number of rooms and wall height affected
- Flooring and drywall that must be removed
- The equipment days needed to dry the structure
- Access around furniture and storage
- Cleanup of mud and debris, which adds labor
Insurance and storm water
Rain that enters through a storm-damaged roof or opening is often covered under a homeowners policy. Water that rises from the ground or runs in from outside is usually a flood loss, and flood coverage is a separate policy with a 30-day waiting period according to the California Department of Insurance.
Your insurer decides coverage. We provide readings, photos and a written scope.
Storm prevention and mistakes to avoid
- Check the roof, flashing and gutters before November
- Keep the ground around the foundation sloped away from the house
- Clear wash channels and drains of debris
- Do not drive through running water on a wash
- Do not wait to dry carpet and pad
- Do not assume homeowners insurance covers runoff
Storm water help across the High Desert
Storms hit the whole Victor Valley, so expect busy lines after a big one. We serve 92307 and 92308 and the nearby cities of Victorville, Hesperia and Adelanto.
Frequently asked questions
Is emergency storm water damage cleanup available in Apple Valley?
Yes. Dispatch is open 24 hours a day, every day. A crew is sent the same day when one is available, though after a major storm demand rises. We do not promise an arrival time.
Is storm water the same as flood water?
Not always. Rain through a roof is a storm loss, and water rising from the ground is a flood loss. Insurance treats them differently.
Do you fix the roof?
No. A roofer does that. We remove water, dry the structure and clean up.
Should I sandbag?
Sandbags can help divert runoff at a door if you can place them safely. Do not go out in fast water to do it.
Will mold follow a storm?
It can. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.