After-storm property damage checklist
Work in order: people and hazards first, then stopping water and securing openings, then documentation, then repairs. Stay away from downed lines, gas odors and damaged structures. Photograph everything before cleanup. Call 833-877-1717 when you need an independent roofer, board-up, water removal or electrical provider.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
1. People and hazards
- Check that everyone is accounted for and uninjured. Call 911 for injuries, fire or anyone trapped.
- Stay far from downed power lines and anything touching them, including fences, puddles and vehicles. Report them to the utility.
- If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
- Do not go into a building with a sagging roof, shifted walls, a tree through it, or standing floodwater around electrical equipment.
- Run generators only outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Generator exhaust can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Stop water from coming in
- Find active leaks inside: ceilings, walls around windows, the attic and the basement.
- Catch drips and move belongings out of the way.
- Turn off power to circuits where water is reaching fixtures or outlets, from a dry spot.
- Arrange an emergency roof tarp for any opening once the weather allows.
- For flooding from outside, do not re-energize anything that was underwater until an electrician checks it.
3. Secure the building
- Broken windows and doors: board up or cover openings to keep out rain, animals and intruders.
- Garage doors knocked off track: do not try to force them; damaged springs and cables are under high tension.
- Fences and gates that keep in pets or children, and pool barriers.
4. Document everything
- Photograph and video every side of the building, the roof from the ground, each damaged room, and damaged belongings, before any cleanup.
- Write down the date and time of the storm and when you found each problem.
- Keep receipts for tarps, boards, generators, hotel stays and emergency services.
- Save damaged items, or photograph them with a list, until the adjuster says they can go.
5. Make reasonable temporary repairs
Most insurance policies expect owners to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. That typically means tarping, boarding, extracting water and drying, not permanent rebuilding. Get permanent repair estimates in writing and check what your insurer needs first.
6. Hire carefully
- Storm events attract out-of-area and door-to-door contractors. Check local licensing and insurance, and get a written estimate.
- Read any contract, authorization or assignment-of-benefits form carefully before signing.
- Avoid paying the full price before work starts.
- Keep copies of everything you sign.
When you call 833-877-1717, RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider for the specific job: roofing, tarping, board-up, water removal, tree damage or electrical. The provider confirms availability and price with you.
How RepairNowUSA can help
Call 833-877-1717 and describe what is happening and the property ZIP code. RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider for that kind of work in your area and connects you if one is available. The provider confirms timing, scope and price with you and does the work. Availability and response times vary and are not guaranteed.
Call 833-877-1717Common questions
What should I do first after a storm damages my house?
Make sure everyone is safe and stay away from downed lines, gas odors and damaged structures. Then stop water from coming in and photograph the damage before cleanup.
Should I wait for the insurance adjuster before making repairs?
Do not wait to prevent further damage: tarp, board up and remove water. Photograph first and keep receipts. Permanent repairs usually wait until the insurer has seen the damage or approved the estimate.
How do I avoid storm-chaser contractors?
Check that the contractor is licensed where required and insured, get a written estimate, avoid large upfront payments, and read any assignment-of-benefits form carefully before signing.
Is it safe to run a generator after a storm?
Only outdoors, far from doors, windows and vents, and never in a garage, even with the door open. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
Can I call any time after a storm?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.