Hours 0–6: Stay safe
Keep out of standing water. It can hide live wires, sharp trash, and germs. Keep kids and pets out. Stay clear of downed lines. Treat each one as live. Report them to your power company. Call 911 only if someone is hurt. Smell gas? Get out and call the gas company from outside. Generators go outside — never in the home or garage. Fumes can kill. Keep them 20 feet from the house.
Hours 6–24: Stop worse harm
When it is safe to move, stop the harm from growing. Your policy likely makes you do this. Tarp torn roofs and broken windows. Move dry goods, papers, and gear out of wet rooms. If a pipe burst, shut the main water valve. Take photos of all of it before you move things. See how to photo damage.
Hours 24–48: Dry it out
Water grows mold fast in Florida heat. If it is safe and you have power, pump or mop water out. Run fans and dehumidifiers. Pull up soaked rugs and pads. Do not rip out walls yet. The adjuster needs to see the harm first. Keep all receipts for tarps, pumps, and gear.
Hours 48–72: Start the paper trail
File your insurance claim. See the Florida claim steps. If a federal disaster is declared, apply at disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362. Report harm to the county if they open a form. Keep one folder for every receipt, photo, claim number, and name.
What NOT to do
Do not sign a contractor's papers under stress. Real pros do not need your signature today. Do not sign an Assignment of Benefits form. Do not pay big cash deposits. Do not toss harmed goods before the adjuster sees them. Photo them first, then ask your insurer. Do not climb a hurt roof. Falls are the top post-storm injury.