I live in atlanta, and this week my pool was about 3 feet under water from a creek behind my house. I had already closed the pool, so the pump was not running, and it was covered. I've taken the cover off and it is orange, with lots of mud, sand, soot, etc...

I spoke to Leslie Pools and they advised vacuum to waste over and over until water is cleaner, and then balance water. I also read that a draining the pool is never a good idea.

I wanted to know if there were other alternatives to speed this up. Are there higher powered pumps, etc... that can be used? I can see having to vacuum to waste over and over taking forever, especially when the water gets so low you have to raise the water level again.

Vac to waste until its just dirty water is the way to start. This may take a lot of time and water but it iss what you would do if this was a basement, treat it like it is a basement. Once the dirt and solids are gone start the pump and filetr and filter the water, backwash and filter more until clean. Ask you insurance agent if this type of flood damage is covered, likely not but worth asking. If its covered a pool service can handle it for you. I sure hope you folks get a dry spell