The wind finally stops. It goes quiet in a way that's almost eerie, and then you hear chainsaws starting up down the street. You step outside, look at your house, and your brain does a weird mix of relief and dread.
I've been there more than once. The first two days after a storm are a blur, and it's easy to spin your wheels. So here's how I break it down, roughly in the order things should happen.
Hour 0: Make sure everyone is okay
Before you look at a single shingle, account for the people and pets in your house. Check for injuries. Then check on neighbors, especially older folks or anyone living alone. Cell service may be spotty, so a text often goes through when a call won't.
If you evacuated, don't rush back. Wait until local officials say roads and neighborhoods are open. Bridges, washed-out roads and downed lines make the trip home riskier than people expect.
Hours 1–6: Safety sweep
Go slow. Daylight helps.
Outside: - Stay far from downed power lines, and assume every line is live. Report them to your utility. - Don't walk or drive through floodwater. It can hide open drains, debris and live wires, and even shallow moving water can knock you off your feet or float a car. The National Weather Service's Turn Around, Don't Drown page explains why. - Watch for snakes, fire ants and other critters that got displaced.
Inside: - If you smell gas, leave right away and report it from a safe distance. - If water reached outlets or the panel, don't touch the electrical system. Leave the power off until it's been checked. - Look for sagging ceilings, which can mean water is pooling above. Stay out from under them. - Use flashlights, not candles.
If anything feels structurally wrong, like cracked walls, a shifted foundation or a badly damaged roof, stay out of that part of the house.
Hours 2–12: Document before you touch anything
I know the instinct is to start cleaning. Resist it for an hour.
Grab your phone and:
- Walk around the outside and take wide shots of every side of the house.
- Go room by room, photographing and filming the damage.
- Get close-ups of specific problems: water lines on walls, broken windows, damaged belongings.
- Photograph the yard, fence, shed, pool enclosure and cars.
Once that's done, you're free to start protecting your stuff.
Hours 6–24: Stop the damage from spreading
Your insurer will expect you to take reasonable steps so the damage doesn't get worse. Think temporary, not permanent:
- Cover holes or openings with a tarp
- Board up broken windows
- Move belongings out of wet areas
- Pull up soaked rugs and get air moving
- Shut off the water if a pipe broke
Keep every receipt. Tarps, plywood, fans, bleach, even a hotel night if the house isn't livable. Save it all.
Get ahead of mold
In Florida heat and humidity, mold can start growing within a day or two. Open windows when it's safe and dry outside, run fans, and use a dehumidifier if you have power. Anything porous that got soaked with floodwater, like carpet pad, mattresses and upholstered furniture, usually can't be saved. Photograph it first, then get it out of the house.
Food, water and power
Food. A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours without power; a full freezer holds longer if you leave the door shut. Once in doubt, throw it out. It's not worth getting sick on top of everything else.
Water. Listen for boil-water notices. If your area is under one, boil water or use bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth.
Generators. If you're using one, keep it outside and well away from doors, windows and vents, and run a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm inside. Never run a generator in the garage, even with the door open. This is one of the most common ways people get hurt after a storm. There's more on running one safely in picking a home generator.
Hours 12–48: Start the paperwork
Once things are stable, call your insurance company or file online. My step-by-step guide to filing a storm claim has the details. Write down your claim number and the name of whoever you speak with. You don't need to know every detail of the damage yet. You can add to the claim as you find more.
Start a running list of damaged items and a notebook or note on your phone for every call, email and visit.
If a federal disaster has been declared for your area, you may also be eligible for help with things your insurance doesn't cover. You can check and apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. Apply even if you're unsure; the worst they can say is no.
Things to watch out for
Unfortunately, storms attract people who see an opportunity.
- Be wary of anyone who shows up uninvited pushing you to sign something right now. Take your time and read everything.
- Ask for ID from anyone claiming to be an inspector, adjuster or official.
- Don't pay large amounts upfront in cash to anyone.
- Check in with your insurer before agreeing to any major work.
Take care of yourself, too
This part gets skipped. After a storm, people work in brutal heat, skip meals and sleep badly for days. That's when injuries happen.
- Drink more water than you think you need.
- Take breaks in the shade or somewhere cool.
- Wear sturdy shoes, gloves and long pants during cleanup.
- Be careful with ladders and chainsaws, especially when you're exhausted.
- Check in on how your kids are handling it. Storms are scary.
A two-day snapshot
If you only remember a handful of things:
- People first, then property.
- Stay away from power lines and floodwater.
- Photograph everything before cleaning up.
- Make temporary fixes and keep receipts.
- Report the claim early.
- Generators outside, always.
The first 48 hours won't fix everything. Repairs can take weeks or months. But getting these steps right sets up everything that comes after, and it gives you a little bit of control at a time when it feels like you don't have much.
Sources
This guide is general information only, not legal or insurance advice. Policies and rules change, so check your own policy documents and current official guidance for your situation.