Water Heaters - Help! Hot water won't stay lit pilot will

Can someone please help me? I found that my basement had flooded from some recent rain.. I just bought this house and I am a woman and didn't know about having a sump pump. Well now I have on and the water is out of the basement.... BUT I an light the pilot on the hot water heater and then when I turn it to ON there are flames like it's going to fire up but it put's the pilot out.
Do you think I need to give it time to dry out or is there a way I can help the drying out process?
This is my first time using this and not sure if I'll know where to find any replies.
Thanks so much!

I am moving this thread over to the Water Heater Forum, so you can get help from the experts over there.

I know you don't want to hear this but a water heater which has been flooded above the burner level is considered a total loss. I believe it is dangerous to even try to use it.

I know some other professionals will weigh in on this; let's hope there is a better answer. But in my limited experience, if you call a factory authorized service rep, they will not service that unit. Check with your insurance to see if you have coverage for this.

Please at least get someone to check this out before you try to use it.