After the Storm: Recovery Checklist

After a hurricane or major storm, the actions you take in the first 72 hours have a dramatic impact on the cost, timeline, and outcome of your property’s restoration. WrightWay has restored thousands of properties after major storms including Hurricanes Ian, Irma, and Helene. This checklist reflects what we’ve learned from every one of those projects.

Hours 0–2: Safety First

Before anything else, ensure the safety of everyone in your household.

• Do not return home until local officials confirm it is safe
• Watch for downed power lines — assume every downed wire is live. Report to your utility company and stay at least 35 feet away.
• Check for gas leaks — if you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe distance
• Approach your property carefully — look for structural shifting, foundation cracks, leaning walls, or sagging rooflines before entering
• Wear protective equipment — hard-soled shoes or boots (nails and debris), heavy gloves, and an N95 mask if water damage is present
• Check for standing water + electricity — if water covers electrical outlets, the panel, or appliances, do NOT enter until the power company disconnects service at the meter
• Do not use tap water until your local utility confirms the supply is safe

Hours 2–12: Document Everything

Your insurance claim depends entirely on documentation. The more thorough your documentation, the smoother your claim process.

• Photograph and video ALL damage before touching, moving, or cleaning anything
  • Exterior: roof, siding, windows, doors, fencing, landscaping, vehicles, pool cage
  • Interior: every room including closets, cabinets, pantry, garage, and storage areas
  • Include wide shots AND close-ups of specific damage
• Document the water line if flooding occurred — mark the high-water level on the wall with tape or a marker, and photograph it with a ruler or measuring tape for reference
• Do not throw anything away yet — your insurance adjuster needs to see the damage. If items must be removed for safety (e.g., sewage-contaminated materials), photograph them first.
• Create a written inventory of damaged items with descriptions, approximate age, and estimated value
• Save all receipts from this point forward — hotel, meals, gas, tarps, cleaning supplies, boarding, etc. These “Additional Living Expenses” (ALE) are typically covered by your homeowner’s policy.

Hours 2–24: Call for Help

Call WrightWay: (941) 379-8669

Our 24/7 emergency line connects you directly with a live dispatcher — no voicemail, no call centers. We deploy additional crews and equipment during major weather events. ERP members receive priority response. Our immediate services include:

• Emergency tarping — temporary roof protection to prevent further water intrusion
• Board-up — securing broken windows, doors, and other openings against weather and unauthorized entry
• Water extraction — truck-mounted extractors remove standing water rapidly
• Structural drying — industrial dehumidifiers and commercial air movers begin the drying process immediately
• Debris removal — clearing damaged materials safely
• Mold prevention — antimicrobial treatment of affected areas within the critical 48-hour window

File Your Insurance Claim

• Call your insurance company as soon as possible — your policy requires prompt notification. Write down the claim number, adjuster name, and phone number.
• Request your adjuster visit within 48–72 hours — during major storms, adjusters may be delayed. Document everything thoroughly in case you need to proceed with emergency mitigation before the adjuster arrives.
• Understand that emergency mitigation is covered — your policy requires you to prevent further damage. Board-up, tarping, and water extraction are covered expenses even before the adjuster inspects.
• Separate wind vs. flood claims — if you have both wind and flood damage, you may need to file two separate claims with two different policies

Days 1–3: Prevent Secondary Damage

Secondary damage — especially mold growth — often exceeds the original storm damage in both cost and health risk.

• Begin drying within 24–48 hours — mold colonization begins within 48 hours on wet organic materials. Professional drying equipment is critical.
• Remove wet contents to a covered, ventilated area to begin drying — separate salvageable from unsalvageable items
• Remove wet carpet pad (carpet itself can often be salvaged; the pad beneath cannot)
• Open interior doors and closets to improve air circulation
• Do NOT use household fans to dry if mold is already present — this spreads spores throughout the building
• Discard food exposed to floodwater or prolonged refrigerator/freezer failure (food is unsafe after 4+ hours without refrigeration or 48+ hours without freezing)

Days 3–14: Mitigation & Assessment

• Work with your adjuster on the scope of damage — ensure all damage is documented, including hidden damage behind walls and under floors (WrightWay uses thermal imaging and moisture meters to identify these areas)
• Get a professional restoration estimate — WrightWay provides detailed Xactimate estimates, the same software insurance companies use, at no cost to you
• Review the adjuster’s scope carefully — compare it against the actual damage. If significant items are missing, request a supplement.
• Continue moisture monitoring — professional drying continues until moisture readings reach target levels (typically 5–7 days for moderate water damage, up to 14 days for severe cases)
• Begin demolition of unsalvageable materials once the adjuster has documented them

Choosing a Restoration Contractor

After major storms, unlicensed and unqualified contractors flood the area. Protect yourself:

• Verify Florida contractor license at MyFloridaLicense.com
• Confirm IICRC certification — the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the industry standard
• Check for proper insurance — general liability and workers’ compensation
• Never pay more than 10% upfront — legitimate contractors don’t require large upfront payments
• Get everything in writing — scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule
• Beware of door-to-door solicitors — storm chasers often produce substandard work and disappear
• Choose a company that handles both mitigation AND reconstruction — WrightWay is a licensed general contractor that takes your project from emergency response through complete rebuild under one roof, with one point of contact