What should I do after a hurricane?
After a hurricane, work in this order: make sure it's safe, document all the damage before you touch anything, stop any water from doing more harm, file your insurance claim promptly, and then hire help carefully. Doing it in that sequence protects both your safety and your claim. The post-storm period in Florida is also when scams spike — out-of-area crews and deductible schemes show up fast — so a clear head and a few simple rules save you from a second disaster.
Table of contents
- First: make sure it's safe
- Document everything before you clean up
- Stop the water fast
- File your insurance claim
- Hire help without getting scammed
- FAQ
First: make sure it's safe
Safety comes before property, every time. Stay well away from downed power lines and don't walk through standing water, which can be electrified or hide hazards. Watch for gas leaks (if you smell gas, leave and call it in), and don't enter a structure with obvious damage — a sagging ceiling holding water, shifted walls, or a compromised roof. If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it's safe before returning. The federal guidance at Ready.gov and your local emergency management updates are the sources to follow here.
Document everything before you clean up
Before you move a single piece of furniture or start any repair, document the damage. Take wide shots and close-ups of the structure, the roof, every affected room, standing water, and damaged belongings — photos and video both. Date-stamped phone images are fine. If you have to do something urgent first, like get a tarp up to stop water, photograph the bare damage during the process so your insurer can see what was underneath. This record is the backbone of your claim, and it's far easier to capture now than to argue later.
Stop the water fast
Water is the damage that keeps growing. If a roof opening or broken window is letting water in, get it covered — a professional roof tarp or board-up stops the intrusion and buys time for permanent repairs. If water already got inside, start water damage restoration quickly, because in Florida's humidity mold can take hold within a day or two. Many restoration companies bill insurance directly and help document the loss, but the first photos and the fast response are on you. Keep receipts for anything you spend on tarps, fans, and emergency lodging.
File your insurance claim
Report your claim promptly. Under Florida's current rules, you generally have one year from the date of damage to file a property insurance claim — but don't wait, because adjusters get badly backlogged after a widespread storm, and reporting early gets you in the queue. Have your documentation ready, keep a log of every conversation, and hold onto receipts. If your roof was damaged, the same documentation supports both the roofing repair and the claim.
Hire help without getting scammed
The post-storm scramble is when fraud peaks, so a few firm rules protect you:
- Verify the license. Florida contractor licenses are free to check at myfloridalicense.com. Confirm "Current, Active" and the right license type. Contracting without a license during a declared emergency is a felony in Florida.
- Be skeptical of door-knockers. Established local companies are usually too booked to canvass; out-of-area "storm chasers" go door to door.
- Never pay large cash deposits, and get the scope and price in writing.
- Don't let anyone offer to "waive" your deductible — that's insurance fraud and illegal in Florida.
The Storm Prep & Recovery hub lists vetted local crews for tarping, restoration, and roofing so you're not cold-searching while you're rattled.
FAQ
What should I do first after a hurricane? Make sure it's safe before anything else. Stay away from downed power lines and standing water that could be electrified, watch for gas leaks and structural damage, and don't return to an evacuated area until officials say it's safe.
Should I document damage before cleaning up? Yes. Photograph and video everything before you move or repair anything — wide shots and close-ups of the structure, contents, and any standing water. That record supports your insurance claim.
How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Florida? Under Florida's current rules, you generally have one year from the date of damage to file a property insurance claim. Report it promptly anyway, since adjusters get backlogged after a major storm.
How do I avoid contractor scams after a hurricane? Verify any contractor's license free at myfloridalicense.com, be skeptical of crews knocking on doors, never pay large cash deposits, and don't let anyone offer to waive your insurance deductible — that's illegal in Florida.
What if water got into my home? Act fast. Stop the source if you safely can, document it, and get professional water extraction and drying started, because mold can take hold within a day or two in Florida's humidity.