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First 48 hours

Storm, hurricane or tornado: what to do in the first 48 hours

By Vincent WallaceUpdated Expert review pending

What to do right now

Go home only once officials say it is safe, and stay out if you see downed power lines, trees on the house or cracks in the walls (CDC). Leave right away if you smell gas. Keep generators at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents (CDC). Photograph the damage, report it to your insurer, and make temporary repairs like tarping only if it is safe. Be wary of door-to-door contractors who want cash up front (FTC, Florida DFS).

On this page
  1. First hour: stay away from the big hazards
  2. First 24 hours: document and report
  3. 24 to 48 hours: stop more damage and avoid scams
  4. After 48 hours: what comes next

First hour: stay away from the big hazards

  1. Go home only once officials say it is safe (CDC).
  2. Walk around the outside first. If you see downed power lines, downed trees on the house, or cracks in the walls or foundation, do not go in. Have a professional inspect it (CDC).
  3. Treat every downed line as live. Call the utility. CDC says avoid lines until they are confirmed off.
  4. If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave right away (Red Cross). Call the gas company or 911 from outside.
  5. Run generators only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents (CDC).
  6. Never turn power on or off, or use an electric tool, while standing in water (CDC).

First 24 hours: document and report

  1. Take photos and video of all damage, inside and out. Red Cross says you may need them for your insurance claim.
  2. Report the damage to your insurer right away. If you have to leave, give them your temporary address and phone number (Florida DFS).
  3. Keep damaged items for the adjuster if you can (NAIC).
  4. Save every receipt for tarps, repairs and hotel stays.
  5. Stay off a wet or damaged roof. If you cannot cover holes safely from a ladder, wait for a pro.

24 to 48 hours: stop more damage and avoid scams

  1. Cover roof holes and broken windows with tarps or boards, if it is safe. NAIC says insurers typically repay these temporary repairs when the loss is covered.
  2. Leave trees on the house or near lines to a trained crew. CDC warns that bent or trapped limbs can spring back and cause serious injury.
  3. After a declared disaster, ask whether Operation Blue Roof is active. It is free and covers primary homes with no more than 50 percent of roof framing damaged (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
  4. Expect door-to-door contractors. Florida DFS warns scammers offer tarps or debris removal and ask for cash up front. The FTC says check the license and insurance, get more than one estimate, get a written contract, and never pay cash up front.
  5. In Florida, an assignment of benefits signed after a loss is void for policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 (Fla. Stat. §627.7152). Florida’s insurance helpline is 1-877-693-5236.
  6. Dry wet rooms within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold. Our water damage first 48 hours page has the steps.

After 48 hours: what comes next

Read our hurricane damage guide for repairs and timelines, and how to file a storm damage claim before you talk to the adjuster. Learn the common tricks in storm chaser scams. If water got inside, compare quotes with our water damage restoration cost page. If a disaster is declared, see FEMA disaster assistance. More help is on the storm hub.

When to call a pro

  • A tree or large limb is on the house, the roof or a power line.
  • The roof has holes, missing sections or sagging.
  • You see cracks in walls or the foundation, or doors suddenly stick.
  • Water got into walls, ceilings or insulation.
  • Wind-driven rain or floodwater came inside (it may be contaminated).
  • You smell gas or see damaged wiring.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

Common mistakes

  • Cutting a tree that is touching a power line.
  • Climbing onto a wet or damaged roof to tarp it.
  • Paying a door-to-door contractor cash up front. The FTC says walk away.
  • Throwing out damaged items before photographing them.
  • Signing a contract the same day without reading it. The FTC notes a 3-day right to cancel many contracts signed at home.

After the storm: first 48 hours

Questions people ask

A tree fell on my house. What do I do first?

Get everyone out of the damaged part of the house. If the tree touches a power line, stay away and call the utility; CDC says treat lines as live until confirmed off. Photograph the damage, then call your insurer. Leave removal to a trained tree crew, since CDC warns that bent or trapped limbs can spring back.

Can I get a free roof tarp after a hurricane?

Sometimes. Operation Blue Roof, run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for FEMA, is free but only runs after a declared disaster when FEMA activates it. The home must be your primary residence and no more than 50 percent of the roof framing can be damaged. Report anyone who charges for it.

How do I spot a storm chaser contractor?

Florida's Department of Financial Services warns that scammers go door to door after storms offering tarps or debris removal for cash. The FTC says check the license and insurance, get more than one estimate, get a written contract, and never pay cash up front. Confirm anyone who claims to work for the government or your insurer.

Sources

  1. Safety Guidelines: Returning Home After a Natural Disaster, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (April 30, 2026)
  2. Chain Saw Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (August 26, 2026)
  3. Checking Your Home's Structure, American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
  4. Operation Blue Roof, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (accessed 2026-10-19)
  5. How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters, Federal Trade Commission (April 28, 2026)
  6. Navigating the Claims Process: Recover and Rebuild, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (June 23, 2021)
  7. Hurricane Isaias: Insurance Consumer Resources, Florida Department of Financial Services (accessed 2026-10-19)
  8. Florida Statutes §627.7152, Assignment agreements, The Florida Senate (2025)

Safety note. This page follows CDC, Ready.gov, FEMA and American Red Cross guidance; it cannot see your home. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. When in doubt, wait for a professional.

How this page was made. Drafted with AI assistance from the public agency, statute and industry sources listed above, then edited and published by Vincent Wallace. An independent expert has not yet reviewed this page; when one does, their name and the review date will appear at the top. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.