What to Do the First 24 Hours After a Hurricane Hits Your Home

Last updated: 2025-01-17

When a hurricane passes through, that first day makes all the difference. Water seeps in, structures shift, and mold spreads fast—sometimes within hours if you're not paying attention. This guide walks you through the critical first 24 hours after a hurricane hits your home, so you know what to tackle first and when to bring in the professionals.

Prioritize Safety Before Anything Else

Forget the roof and drywall for now. Your focus is you and your family.

Stay indoors until local officials and the National Weather Service give the all-clear. Downed power lines, falling debris, and flooded streets stay dangerous long after the wind dies down. Keep checking local news for updates specific to your area.

If your home looks structurally compromised—cracked walls, a partially collapsed roof, or visible foundation damage—get out. Go to a shelter or stay with family. Don't try to inspect or repair a dangerous building yourself.

Smell gas? See water near electrical panels, sparks, or burning smells? Turn off utilities. Not sure how? Wait for emergency responders. Gas leaks are serious and need professional crews to handle.

Document Everything with Photos and Video

Before you move anything or start cleaning up debris, document the damage. Your insurance claim depends on it.

Walk through every room with your phone or camera. Get wide shots of each space, then zoom in on specific damage: water marks, punctured walls, broken windows, ruined furniture, debris. If you can safely see your roof and yard from the ground, film those too. Time stamps on your photos are helpful for establishing when the damage happened.

Focus especially on places water got in: attic hatches, window and door frames, basements or crawl spaces, any mold or discoloration. Adjusters and restoration companies pay attention to these details.

Upload these files to the cloud right away—Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox, whatever works. If your home becomes unreachable or something else goes wrong, you've got a digital backup.

Call Your Insurance Company Within 24 Hours

Most homeowner policies require you to report damage quickly, and many set a deadline of 1–3 days for filing claims. Waiting too long can hurt your claim.

When you call, have this ready:

• Your policy number
• Main damage areas (roof, windows, foundation, water entry points)
• Photos or video you just took
• Contact info and when you're available for an adjuster visit

The insurer schedules an adjuster to come out. Don't count on them catching everything—your photos and notes fill in what they might miss.

Secure the Home Against Further Damage

Water's the real enemy here. A small leak turns into major damage in hours as moisture creeps through walls, insulation, and wood framing.

Broken windows or doors? Cover them with plywood, tarps, or plastic sheeting taped or nailed down. If that requires roof access or the exterior isn't stable, hire a licensed contractor. Many restoration professionals offer emergency tarping and boarding within 24 hours.

If water's pooling in the attic or inside, pump or vacuum it out if you can do it safely. Standing water breeds mold and wood rot fast.

Don't plug in fans or dehumidifiers in wet areas until a licensed electrician checks the wiring. Water and electricity don't mix.

Begin Water Removal and Drying

This is where time really matters. Mold can start growing within 24–48 hours in the warm, humid conditions Florida's known for.

Got standing water in basements, crawl spaces, or first-floor areas? Call a water restoration company right now. They've got commercial-grade pumps and dehumidifiers that beat anything you'll find at a hardware store. Don't wait hoping it'll dry on its own.

Open windows and doors if the weather allows—this gets air moving. Use fans to push air across wet surfaces. But if it's humid outside or another storm's coming, keep windows shut and use dehumidifiers and fans indoors instead.

Pull up wet stuff from floors if you can: throw rugs, cardboard boxes, wet cushions. These trap moisture and become mold farms. If something's soaked through and can't be saved, get rid of it.

Inventory Damaged Property

While your home's still accessible and reasonably safe, go room by room and list what was damaged or lost. Write down the age and replacement cost of each item—the refrigerator, TV, mattress, clothes, tools, all of it. This backs up your personal property insurance claim.

Snap photos of labels, serial numbers, or receipts if you've still got them. Insurance adjusters use this info to approve replacement or repair money.

Prevent Looting and Secondary Damage

Move valuable items and equipment to a secure spot or to family elsewhere if you can.

Boarded-up windows and doors make your place look empty. Some neighborhoods see break-ins spike after hurricanes. If you're staying somewhere else, ask neighbors to keep an eye on things or hire a security patrol if your area offers it.

Know When to Call a Professional

Hurricane restoration isn't a weekend project. Licensed contractors have the equipment, training, and insurance to handle mold, structural repairs, and water extraction the right way.

Call right away if:

• Water's gotten into the home in large amounts
• You see mold or notice musty smells
• Structural damage is obvious (wall cracks, roof sections missing, foundation movement)
• Electrical or HVAC systems are waterlogged

Waiting longer than 24 hours on water removal and mold prevention can turn a $5,000 job into a $50,000 one. Professional contractors work around the clock after big storms and can get your home stabilized faster than you could manage alone.

Create a Recovery Checklist for Hours 2–24

Hour 1–2: Check if it's safe. Evacuate if needed. Photograph and film the damage.

Hour 2–4: Call insurance and file your claim. Start water removal if safe to do so.

Hour 4–8: Board up broken windows and doors. Turn on fans and dehumidifiers. Remove standing water.

Hour 8–12: Keep drying. Inventory damaged items. Make a list of contractors to call.

Hour 12–24: Reach out to restoration companies. Get quotes and set up inspections. Keep ventilation and drying going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean up mold myself after a hurricane?

No. Mold covering more than 10 square feet needs professional remediation to avoid spore spread and health risks. Even smaller patches should be looked at by a mold inspector. Professional crews have HEPA filtration and know the right procedures.

How long do I have to file an insurance claim after a hurricane?

It depends on your policy and state rules, but most insurers want claims filed within 1–3 days of the damage. Florida law generally gives you 3–5 years, but your specific policy might be stricter. File immediately to avoid problems.

What's the first thing I should do if my roof is damaged?

Get photos of it. Then call a roofing contractor for an emergency inspection and temporary tarping if water's getting inside. Don't climb up there yourself unless you're trained and it's genuinely safe.

Should I turn off the power after a hurricane?

Only if you smell gas, see electrical sparks, smell something burning, or notice water near the electrical panel. If you're unsure, call an electrician. Turning off power too early can slow recovery, so have a professional assess first.

How quickly can mold start growing after a hurricane?

Mold spores can colonize wet materials in 24–48 hours in humid conditions. Florida's climate speeds this up. Aggressive drying and dehumidification in those first 24 hours are your best bet to stop it.

---

The first 24 hours after a hurricane come down to three things: protecting your family, preserving evidence, and stopping damage from getting worse. And you can't do this alone. Start with safety and photos, get your insurance company on the phone today, then call a licensed restoration professional who can stabilize your home and walk you through recovery. Your timeline—and your sanity—depend on moving quickly now.