First steps after flood, storm or fire damage

If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. This checklist is general guidance, not a substitute for instructions from emergency officials.

Before high winds: manufactured homes

The Florida Division of Emergency Management says it is never safe to stay in a mobile home during a tropical storm, hurricane, thunderstorm or tornado. If you live in one, plan where you will go before the storm.

• Know where and when to go, and leave early.
• Shut off utilities before leaving: water at the meter, natural or LP gas at the regulator or tank, and power at the main breaker.
• Photograph or video the home and belongings, inside and out, for a possible claim.
• Secure or store outdoor decor and remove yard debris.
• Check tie-downs and anchors well ahead of the season; FDEM notes they wear out over time.

When water is rising

• Call 911 if you face life-threatening flooding or are in imminent danger, as the South Florida Water Management District advises.
• Do not walk or drive through floodwater. Ready.gov says six inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot can sweep a vehicle away.
• Stay off flooded rural roads and canal banks; floodwater can hide washouts and debris.
• Move to higher ground and take medications, documents and phone chargers.
• Report neighborhood flooding. SFWMD.gov/FloodControl shows your local drainage operator, and SFWMD.gov/floodingapp takes reports. Okeechobee County also has its own flooding portal, which WGCU reported had been used by only two people in five years.

Once water is inside the house

1. Avoid electrical hazards. Do not touch wet electrical equipment or stand in water while near outlets. Turn off power at the main breaker only if you can reach it while dry.
2. Stop the source if it is a pipe, water heater or AC line: close the main shutoff.
3. Document before cleanup. Photograph each room, the water line on walls, and damaged belongings. Do not throw items away until they are photographed.
4. Start drying. The EPA says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
5. Treat floodwater as contaminated. Wear gloves and boots, and keep children and pets away.
6. Report the claim to your insurer and write down the claim number.

Call to reach a restoration provider

Wells and septic systems

Many homes outside the city limits rely on a private well and a septic system. Both can be affected when the ground floods.

• Use bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth if the well head was under water.
• Test the well after it has been disinfected. The Florida Department of Health says county health departments give sampling instructions, with tests usually $20 to $30 per sample and an extra $30 to $40 if staff collect it at the home.
• Limit water use while the yard is flooded. A saturated drain field cannot accept wastewater. The Okeechobee Utility Authority cites flooding that keeps drain fields from working as one reason for its septic-to-sewer project.
• Watch for backups: gurgling drains, sewage odor or water rising in a tub or shower. Sewage inside the home needs professional cleanup.
• Have the tank inspected once the ground dries if there were problems. The EPA recommends inspections at least every 3 years in normal conditions.

After a fire or heavy smoke

• Do not reenter until the fire department says it is safe.
• Leave the HVAC off so soot is not pulled through the ducts.
• Do not wipe soot from walls or upholstery; it can smear and set.
• Remove medications and food exposed to heat or smoke, and do not use them.
• Run any generator outdoors and away from windows, as Ready.gov advises.

The first week

• Keep every receipt for tarps, fans, hotel stays and meals.
• Get itemized estimates and verify licenses for roofing, plumbing and electrical work at MyFloridaLicense.com. Report unlicensed activity to (866) 532-1440.
• Mark your deadlines. Florida law requires notice of a new claim within 1 year of the date of loss.
• Watch for mold in closets, cabinets and under flooring, especially if drying was delayed.

Who to call