If you think asbestos may be in your home, don't panic. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material that has not been significantly damaged and is still intact will present a minimal hazard.
Asbestos is a hazard when it gets into the air and you can breathe it in. Asbestos particles are very small – you can only see them with a microscope.
Until the 1970s and 80s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos (sometimes there are markings on the material or its packaging indicating it is asbestos). Although use has declined, there are still some materials/products made today that contain asbestos. You may find asbestos in insulation, vermiculite, textured paint and patching compounds, vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet, flooring and adhesives, pipe insulation, furnaces and gaskets. If these materials were damaged in some way during flooding, they could release asbestos fibers.
These publications have more information about where asbestos may be found in the home:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/emergency/natural/floods/asbestos/asbestos.pdf
If you must repair or remove any damaged asbestos-containing material, it is best to consult a specially trained asbestos-removal contractor. The New York State Department of Labor website provides a list of licensed Asbestos Abatement contractors by name and zip code. http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/safetyhealth/Active%20Asbestos%20Contractor%20List.shtm
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection maintains a listing of Certified Asbestos Investigators, Contractors and Firms in the New York City area http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/air_and_noise/airfirms_wide.shtml
You can only know for sure if material contains asbestos by testing. To find laboratories certified for asbestos and fibers analysis, contact the New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Environmental Laboratory Approval Program, by phone (518) 485-5570 or by email elap@health.state.ny.us.
Review general advice for cleanup up after the flood in other sections in this Q & A. Although it is possible there may be some asbestos-containing material in your home as listed above, remember that removing water-damaged materials and drying out the home as quickly as possible are the keys to prevent mold growth after a flood. Porous materials that absorb water (e.g. drywall, carpeting, upholstered furniture and ceiling tiles) that were saturated by flood water probably need to be discarded. If you can't dry it quickly, throw it away