These are the priorities in the hours right after a property is damaged in a storm — before cleanup and before repairs begin.
- Do not re-enter until local authorities confirm the structure is safe.
- Document everything before any cleanup begins — photograph and video the exterior, each affected room, and the full extent of the damage.
- Keep damaged materials and contents where it is safe to do so until they can be inspected.
- Keep receipts for any emergency mitigation work (pumping, drying, tarping, board-up).
- Contact your insurance company to report the loss, and write down the claim number and every adjuster’s name and contact information.
For guidance specific to what happened to your property, see the inspection guide for your peril, or read how Unified Public Advocacy can help once the loss has been reported.