Glad you and family are OK ra5451. This was a great learning opportunity for you and family. Use this knowledge wisely to bring the others onboard. We run our generator once a month for a few minutes, just to make sure it is doing what it should. Check to see if there is some way to make the basement waterproof. Store your drinking water and food preps in the basement when you get the problem solved. And Thank God for giving you this opportunity to become better prepared.