Are you planning to level out the floor first?

I put down tile in my basement because even with 2 sump pumps we can get seepage in the basement during flash flooding when ground is saturated already - not a common occurrence, but I would rather spend a short time with a shop vac then days taking up a floor or carpet.

A cement floor can be leveled. The smaller the tile, the more it can accommodate some unevenness, but you probably don't want a floor that looks like a locker room or shower:) Your floor can be leveled first and then tiled. If budget is an issue, buy all the tile for the project, because different lots can vary in color and styles can be discontinued, but it can be installed in stages.

There aren't any floors that survive sewage. Anything/everything needs to be thrown out for sanitary reasons.

When it comes to vinyl plank floating flooring, I would assume it will be lost should a flood occur. I know. That's not what the hyped up sales person says (thankfully I'm not in that camp...I'm just a flooring professional who is NOT selling you anything).

A click-together vinyl floor can handle sitting in water. But each plank needs to be removed, taken to a bathtub, cleaned (light bleach solution), towel dried and then LAID OUT in the SUN to allow the UV rays kill anything left over. (remember to lay down some wood pallets on your lawn so that the planks remain dry...and you can flip them after 8 hours).

Now that the floor has been removed and you cleaned up the basement water, you have to REINSTALL the vinyl. But OH! Wait! Almost 25% of the planks have broken edges! Oh no! I can't install them! Now I don't have enough to cover my basement. Now what do I do? They don't make it any more! Darn. Now I need new flooring.

Yep. The above is 99% chance of happening should you have a vinyl floor that is exposed to a flood or to excessive moisture.

And yes, you still have to pay to have the concrete flattened properly or the click together planks won't work...you will ruin them before the water shows up.

Vinyl is an excellent option for basements....but realize most of the hype won't work out. If I'm going to lose a floor to water, I choose a decent laminate with a great cork underlayment. 'Cause I like a floor that sits on cork.

Thank you all for your comments!

SammyJ it is my understanding that the only way to level the floor is to put down another layer of cement which sounds very involved and pricey so I was hoping to find a flooring option that I could use without leveling the floor...after reading these suggestions I am not sure...?

SJMcCarthy everything you said is spot on!I am not familiar with laminate with cork underlayment..will that feel smoother than the vinyl flooring? does the cork get moldy?

Levelling of your concrete slab depends on the condition of it. Is the concrete sound but just has some rough spots? Are there raised areas? You may be able to have areas patched and levelled to provide a smooth surface for new flooring.

ty seabornman that is helpful I will look into it...the concrete looks sound it just has many rough spots like it was poured in a very sloppy way...

I had a floor that was used as a garage so very pitted from salt damage. I took that area over for living space and leveled with "Ardex" floor leveler. I put floating laminate over it so it didn't have to be perfect. Your concrete can't be crumbly and weak for patch products like that.

When installing a floating floor in the basement (whether vinyl, laminate, cork, etc) you MUST use a vapour barrier (like 6mil polysheeting = $0.11/sf at HD). This is what STOPS things from getting moldy.

If you do NOT use the vapour barrier you will find EVERYTHING gets moldy. And I mean everything (vinyl included).

So the answer is "No.* Cork underlay does not get moldy" (*so long as you use a vapour barrier on top of the concrete slab).

ok thank you everyone this was very helpful!