Emergency guide · Direct answer first

Storm Water Damage: After the Storm, Respond Fast

After a storm, safety comes first: watch for downed power lines, do not drive or wade through floodwater, and only re-enter the property when it is safe. Then photograph the damage, begin mitigation promptly, and call a restoration company for extraction, drying, and sanitation. Storm water is treated as contaminated, and the longer it sits, the more material is lost.

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Do this right away

The first steps, in order

01

Wait for the all-clear

Stay inside or on high ground until officials say conditions are safe. Downed lines and swift water kill more people than the storm itself.
02

Stay out of floodwater

Standing storm water can hide debris, sewage, and electrical hazards. Keep people and pets out of it.
03

Document before you touch

Photograph the property, the water line, and damaged belongings while the scene is fresh. This is your claim record.
04

Protect the property

Tarp a breached roof if it is safe, board broken windows, and move dry items away from wet areas.
05

Call for professional response

Extraction and drying should start the same day, and crews distinguish storm water from clean water in the handling plan.

Is storm flooding covered by insurance?

Flooding from outside the home, including storm surge, river flooding, and rising groundwater, is typically excluded from standard homeowners policies and requires separate flood insurance. Storm damage from wind, like a tree through the roof followed by rain, is handled differently and often covered. Report the cause accurately and confirm with your adjuster.

How is storm water different from a pipe leak?

Storm water from outside can carry soil, sewage, chemicals, and debris, so it is treated as contaminated water. That changes the cleanup: more materials are removed, surfaces are sanitized, and occupants stay out until the zone is safe. Storm-damaged roofs also let rain continue in, so the response usually pairs mitigation with temporary protection of the building envelope.