If your home is damaged or destroyed in a storm or natural disaster, you can take steps to protect your family’s safety, comfort, and financial stability during recovery.

Seek guidance from reliable sources, including emergency management officials, local government leaders, insurance company representatives, and nonprofit organizations that specialize in disaster response and recovery. Determine if your disaster-affected community has formed a long-term recovery task force and follow task force news to learn about relevant resources, services, and deadlines.

You may never forget your disaster experience, but you can recover and bounce back with the physical, emotional, and financial support available after the worst happens.

Contact your homeowner’s insurance provider.

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Be aware that certain disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, may not be covered by standard homeowners policies.

Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, like placing blue tarps over roof damage or broken windows. Save your receipts for any materials you use, and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Document your loss, and preserve damaged items until your adjuster has visited your home or your company advises that you may dispose of the items. Take photos and use videos to prepare a home inventory to document your claim. Assemble copies of receipts from damaged items.

You may have coverage for lodging and other living expenses while you are displaced from your damaged home, so be sure to include those receipts in your claim documentation.

For more information about insurance considerations during a disaster, check out our guide to homeowners insurance to find out more about filing a claim.

Explore available disaster assistance.

Throughout recovery, stay up-to-date and monitor local radio, television, and other information sources about where to get emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance. Check out options for how to stay informed.

Post-disaster economic assistance programs may be available for individuals under certain circumstances. Direct assistance of food, shelter, supplies, and cleanup may come from any number of organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others. The federal government may help individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling, loans and grants, and other assistance. There are also programs to help small businesses and farmers.

Look into options for housing assistance.

FEMA provides housing assistance for qualifying disaster victims. Homeowners within a designated federal disaster area can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register.

Applicants should be prepared to describe losses and provide their Social Security Number, financial information, and the location of the damaged property.

Practice coping with disaster.

Disasters can have an emotional toll, and adults may need crisis counseling or stress management assistance. Children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people who speak English as a second language may be especially at risk for emotional distress post-disaster.

Seek crisis counseling if you or a family member is experiencing disaster-related stress. Local faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, or professional counselors can provide counsel and advice. FEMA, state, and local government agencies may also provide crisis counseling assistance.

Make sure you understand the personal effects of a disaster, recognize signs of disaster-related stress, and are familiar with how to manage that stress.

Avoid disaster-related fraud and scams.

If in doubt, do not give out your personal information. Report to local authorities anyone claiming to be a government worker. Safeguard against disaster-related fraud by taking these precautions:

• Ask for an official laminated photo ID. Agency shirts or jackets are not enough to verify a representative’s identity.
• Be cautious when providing personal information. FEMA inspectors never require Social Security or bank account numbers. Applicants choosing direct deposit are asked for bank account information after they call or go online to apply. During a follow-up call, a FEMA representative may ask only for the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.
• Beware of people going door-to-door or telephone calls claiming to be building contractors. These could be scam artists, especially if they solicit financial information.
• FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams distribute flyers that mention personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers. These teams will not ask for personal information from applicants. They only tell applicants what to have on hand when they call or go online to apply for help.
• Federal representatives do not solicit or accept money and never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or help filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damage; they do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.
• Report suspicious activity to local authorities online or via the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

More Resources

• FLASH and The Actuarial Foundation. If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered? A Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters.
• FEMA Ready. Coping with Disaster.
• FEMA. Are You Ready?

When returning home after a natural disaster, there are ways to make sure you and your family are safe. There may be immediate dangers like contaminated water and wild animals or less obvious threats like structural damage to your home.

Follow these safety tips when re-entering your home.

• Return to your home only once local authorities say it’s safe. After a flood, don’t return until the water recedes. Check for announcements and instructions concerning the affected area, medical aid, and other forms of assistance, such as food, water, ice, and shelter. Get tips on staying up to date.
• If you expect minimal damage, inspect the area around your home before entering. Walk carefully outside your home and look for damaged power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.
• If you are concerned that your home isn’t safe, or if there is significant damage and debris, leave the area immediately. Request an inspection by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering your house. Don’t enter your home if you smell gas or see flood waters around the building. If your home was damaged by fire and hasn’t been declared safe by qualified officials, don’t enter.
• Flooding poses the risk of waterborne bacterial contaminations, so avoid floodwater.
• If it is safe to enter, use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect your home. Turn on the flashlight before entering. Turn on the flashlight before entering. NEVER use candles or lighters.

Check for threats outside your home.

• After an earthquake:

• Look around your entire house for signs of collapse or movement off the foundation.
• Examine the ground for fissures or shifts in the ground. Look for breaks in fence lines or other indications of nearby damage.

• After a wildfire:

• Look out for ash pits (holes resulting from burned tree roots filled with hot ash), charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. Mark them, and warn others to stay clear. There may be heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
• Check the outside of your home, roof, and gutters. Wet them down to put out any smoldering sparks or embers. Call 911 if you see fire.
• Wear a respirator dust mask and wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.

Check for threats inside your home.

Be careful when entering your home. Wear leather gloves and solid, thick-soled shoes with steel toes. Look out for loose boards and slippery floors.

• Pests: Watch out for pests, such as mice, rats, insects, or snakes, especially after flooding. Disasters and life-threatening situations will intensify the unpredictable nature of wild animals. Contact your local animal control, wildlife agency, emergency management office, or health department for specific information.
• Natural gas: Open a window and immediately leave if you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound. If possible, turn off the main gas valve from the outside. Call the gas company. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, only a professional should turn it back on. Don’t smoke or use fire inside until you’re sure gas is no longer present.
• Sparks and broken or frayed wires: Assess the electrical system if you aren’t wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If the situation is unsafe, leave immediately and call for help. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Only turn on the lights when you are sure they are safe to use. You may want an electrician to inspect your wiring. Look out for power poles that may be unstable. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911 or the utility company’s emergency number.
• Roof, foundation, and chimney cracks: Immediately leave if there are any signs that the building may collapse. Look for cracks in the chimney’s mortar, which can pose a fire hazard or let in carbon monoxide. A certified chimney inspector can evaluate your chimney. Look out for any signs of damage, like exposed or cracked beams, roof leaks, and foundation cracks.
• Drywall, stucco, or plaster: After an earthquake, look for new or more significant cracks in the drywall, stucco, or plaster, including “stair step” cracks.
• Floor: Bouncy, soggy, or mushy floors can mean damage underneath.
• Attic: If your home has experienced a wildfire, check the attic. If you see smoke or fire, get out of the house and call 911.
• Stairs: Look for changes in the stability of staircases and whether the banister and supporting columns are secure.
• Windows and doors: See if any windows or doors are newly jammed or blocked. After an earthquake, look closely around windows and door frames for radiating cracks.
• Appliances: If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Unplug appliances and allow them to dry. Have the appliances and the electrical system inspected by an electrician before turning the power back on. After an earthquake, make sure your furnace and water heater connections are tight and not leaking.
• Water and sewage systems: Turn off the main water valve if any pipes are damaged. Ask local authorities before using any water. Pump out wells and have the water tested before drinking. Unless authorities have announced that it’s safe, assume that the tap water is not safe, and use properly stored water or boil your tap water. Do not flush toilets until you are certain that sewage lines are intact.
• Food and supplies: Carefully inspect all food and drinks. See more information about food safety in a power outage.
• Basements: If your basement is flooded, pump it out gradually (about one-third of the water per day). Do not pump the basement while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged, as the walls may collapse and the floor may buckle. After an earthquake, cracks and bulges in the basement floor and exterior walls can indicate severe problems.
• Cabinets: Be alert as you open cabinets for objects that may fall.
• Household chemical spills: Clean up and disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals.

Clean up debris responsibly.

Any kind of cleanup work can be hazardous, but cleaning up after a hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire, or other natural disaster requires special care and attention. If your home is damaged and your yard is littered with debris after a disaster, there are ways to ensure that cleanup is safe and environmentally friendly.

Check with your local government for cleanup procedures before disposing of debris.

You can expedite cleanup by separating debris:

• Yard debris like branches and downed trees
• Building debris like fences, roof materials, screens, windows, carpets, etc.)
• Regular garbage and trash

Put debris at your curbside, away from fire hydrants, trees, power lines, mailboxes, valves, or other items that could be damaged or make collection difficult.

Yard Debris

• Cut fallen tree limbs into sections of 4 feet or less (if you have experience and can do so safely).
• Stack material neatly at the curbside, separated from garbage.
• Put smaller or loose items (limbs, leaves, etc.) into sealed containers like garbage cans or clear plastic bags.
• Bundle piles of small branches and secure them with twine. Containers or bundles should weigh 50 pounds or less.

Home Debris

Keep building debris and building contents separate from vegetative material and regular garbage. Check for special requirements like designated disposal sites other than curbside.

Start cleanup once you know you can safely enter your home, and follow this checklist to ensure your safety.

• Wear protective gear like safety goggles, work gloves, hard hats, and thick-soled shoes.
• Consider other safety equipment the cleanup may require. You may need to wear a respirator after a wildfire. After a flood, wear protective boots to avoid contaminated water.
• Wash your hands and face often using soap and drinking-quality water.
• Don’t remove heavy debris by yourself.
• Downed or damaged trees might have power lines that could electrocute you. Don’t touch wet electrical equipment or any electrical equipment if you are standing in water. Turn off electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker if it’s safe.
• Take photos and video to record home damage before any repairs. Get more information about what to do if your home is damaged or destroyed.

Regular garbage and trash

Attempting to dry out the contents of your home can take several weeks, and if the humidity remains high, microorganisms may continue to grow. If the house and its contents are not properly dried out and you notice musty odors, consider throwing out the wet materials.

• Dispose of food that has come into direct contact with floodwaters or wildfire.
• Throw away canned or other packaged foods or drinks that appear dented or damaged.

Safety tips for debris cleanup

• Make sure debris doesn’t block storm drains, fire hydrants, the right-of-way, or pedestrian traffic.
• Keep children away from debris piles. They can be full of broken glass, nails, jagged wood, and other sharp items, as well as rodents, bugs, or other animals.
• Watch children carefully around heavy equipment and debris removal operations. Equipment operators may not easily see small children.
• Move your vehicles away from debris piles to make it easier for equipment operators to pick up the materials and reduce the possibility of damage.
• Drive carefully when behind trucks loaded with debris. Materials can fly out, causing an accident or driving hazard, so maintain a safe distance.
• Keep open flames, cigarettes, or other ignition sources away from debris piles, as they may contain flammable materials.

Remember your homeowners insurance.

• Contact your insurance company. Get more information on how to file a homeowners insurance claim after a disaster.
• Protect against further damage, like covering broken windows to prevent water intrusion.
• Take photos and video of any damage to your home before attempting any repairs.
• Keep records of repairs and cleaning costs.

More Resources

• FEMA Ready. Returning Home.
• FEMA. Helpful Hints on How to Spot Earthquake Damage.
• FEMA Ready. Hurricanes.

Damage to your home can have a significant impact on you, your family, and your friends. It’s best to have a plan for how to re-enter your home safely before a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other storm strikes.

The greatest threat to personal safety exists during a storm and in the immediate aftermath. Use this checklist for what to do after the storm to minimize potential harm.

Stay up-to-date.

• Monitor weather conditions, damage updates, and announcements from local authorities concerning the affected area, medical aid, and other forms of assistance, such as food, water, and shelter.

Return safely after evacuation.

• Return to the area only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Communicate with family and friends about your travel plans and alert them upon arrival.
• Expect and prepare for disruptions to daily activities.

Consider access to your home.

• Follow the guidance of local authorities to determine if it is safe to access your home.
• Plan and follow a safe route. Avoid driving as roads may be blocked, power lines could be down, and people may be trapped and in need of assistance.
• Carry current identification, as you may have to pass through checkpoints before getting access to your home or neighborhood.

Follow health and safety guidelines.

• Familiarize yourself with where to access medical aid, how to maintain health, and how to identify safety issues after a disaster.
• Tell local authorities about any health and safety issues, including chemical spills, deceased animals, downed power lines, smoldering insulation, and washed-out roads.
• Maintain your health, and be aware of exhaustion by setting priorities, pacing yourself and taking breaks. Don’t try to do too much at once.
• Drink plenty of water, and eat well.
• Wear sturdy work boots and gloves when removing debris, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

Follow first aid protocol.

• Administer first aid and seek medical attention for injured people. Don’t move them unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if injured people aren’t breathing or don’t have a pulse. Clear their airway and begin chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Maintain their body temperature with blankets, but ensure they don’t become overheated. Never give liquids to an unconscious person.

Keep these other tips in mind.

• Never walk or drive on flooded roads or through flood waters. Flooded areas may contain dangerous debris and be electrically charged. Don’t allow children near high water, storm drains, or ditches. Check out Turn Around Don’t Drown!® for more information.
• Avoid sight-seeing or entering a storm-ravaged area unnecessarily. You could be mistaken for a looter.
• Avoid downed or unstable trees, poles, and power lines that may be live with electricity. Stay away from metal objects near downed lines, and immediately report them to your power or utility company.
• Don’t use matches until all gas lines are checked for leaks. In the case of a power outage, keep flashlights and batteries in your disaster kit.
• Avoid injury from debris, contaminated water, carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrocution. Use caution inside damaged buildings and infrastructure. Seek professional inspection of structures that have been flooded before entering.

More Resources

• FEMA Ready. Health & Safety Guidelines.

If your home is damaged by a covered peril, you will need to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. All companies have toll-free telephone numbers for claims reporting, and most have company websites and app with online claims reporting options.

An insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, so there are rules and procedures that you and your insurer must follow. The best way to understand your role is to read your insurance policy.

• If you are the victim of a theft or your home has been vandalized or burglarized, report it to the police. Get the case number and share it with your company insurance adjuster.
• Insurance policies place a time limit on filing claims, so always report promptly. Ask these questions: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?
• Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. Save receipts for what you spend, and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
• You are going to need to substantiate your loss. Preserve damaged items until your adjuster has visited your home as reasonable and safe. Photograph or videotape the damage, and prepare a home inventory for your adjuster, along with copies of receipts from damaged items.
• If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep records of all additional expenses incurred. Most homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the “loss of use” of their home. Be aware that many policies do NOT provide coverage for the additional living expense if a mandatory evacuation is ordered and there is no loss to your home.
• Once you have notified your insurance company about your claim, the company is required to send the necessary claim forms to you by the end of a specified time period. (The time period varies from state to state.) Return the properly filled-out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays.
• Your insurance company will arrange for an adjuster to work with you to handle your claim either online, through the telephone, or by visiting your home, depending on the size of your loss. Once you and your insurance company agree on the terms of your settlement, state laws require that you are sent payment promptly. In most cases, your claim will be processed quickly.

More Resources

• If you have any questions about the claim filing laws in your state, call your insurance agent or your state insurance department.
• If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered? A Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters.

Disasters, hot weather, power outages, and home maintenance problems can create conditions for mold to grow inside your home. Mold can cause respiratory and other health issues, so it’s essential to stop mold before it starts.

Take these steps to reduce the chance of mold growth in your home before and after a disaster strikes.

Board Up Your Damaged Home

If your home sustains damage from wind or other extreme weather, board it up promptly to keep out moisture. Use materials like plastic tarps and plywood to cover any exposed openings and remember to save receipts because the cost is typically reimbursable through insurance.

Eliminate Standing Water

As the EPA says, “Moisture control is the key to mold control.” The EPA recommends keeping your household relative humidity between 30% and 50%. You can monitor the level by using a moisture or humidity meter that costs $10 to $50 at most home improvement stores.

Check for adequate drainage around, and especially under, your home. Standing water under a home can cause high humidity levels inside and cause floors to warp and buckle.

Maintain Your Air Conditioning System

Perform regular air conditioning maintenance, including replacing filters frequently and cleaning drain lines. If you notice condensation around vents, your system may not be dehumidifying adequately.

Consult a licensed repair professional to schedule routine maintenance and address any concerns right away.

Never Turn Off Air Conditioning Systems

Your AC system does more than cool things down. It also dehumidifies, which is critical in warm and humid environments.

Turn up, but never turn off your AC, and make sure the fan is on. Well-circulated, dry air will prevent mold growth, so keep the relative humidity in your home between 30% and 50%.

Check for Leaks and Stop Them Quickly

Water can leak into your home in lots of ways: cracks in walls, gaps in window flashings, leaky roofs (especially near chimneys and vents), and any plumbing systems.

Perform routine checks for potential leaks in these trouble zones, and repair problems immediately.

If there’s a water leak, take swift action:

• Shut off the water source and remove standing water and all moist materials.
• Contact an emergency water removal company if you believe the amount of water may warrant expert attention.
• Report any damage to your insurance company if the cause is sudden and accidental because it may be covered.

Ventilate Spaces

Mold grows quickly, especially in humid air. Ventilate rooms with a fan, particularly bathrooms and kitchens, and open windows to create airflow and dry out spaces.

Check and Replace Washing Machine Hoses

Stressed or cracked washing machine hoses often fail and flood homes, making this type of accident one of the most common insurance claims.

Always replace washing machine hoses at the first sign of wear and tear. This inexpensive maintenance step can help you avoid costly problems.

Replace Worn-out Water Heaters

Old and worn-out water heaters are infamous for flooding the inside of homes as rust on the inside causes them to leak.

Replace your water heater now if it is showing signs of deterioration. Install a drain pan, which can protect floors from leaks.

Open the Blinds

Mold grows best in dark, damp areas. Open window blinds and expose your rooms to sunlight to reduce the chances of mold growth.

Consult EPA Mold Remediation guidelines if mold is extensive.