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First, make sure the home is safe to enter
After a tornado, follow local authorities’ instructions and stay clear of fallen power lines, broken utility lines, and dangerous debris.
Work in this order: people, hazards, photos, short-term steps, and repairs. Do not rush.
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Follow local authorities’ instructions and remain outside any area they have closed.
Stay clear of fallen power lines and broken utility lines. Keep generators dry because touching a wet generator or connected device can cause electrical shock.
The first-hour checklist
- Check everyone for injuries and call 911 for an emergency.
- Follow local authorities’ instructions and move to a location they identify as safe.
- Watch for fallen power lines, broken utility lines, and dangerous debris.
- Listen to local emergency and utility updates.
- Keep children and pets away from damaged areas.
Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and work gloves during cleanup, and use an appropriate face covering when cleaning mold or debris.
Document before you move things
Once the area is safe, take wide photos of each room. Then take close photos of the damage. From the ground, record the outside, roofline, windows, floors, and damaged items.
Make a simple list with the item, room, damage, and age. Save each receipt. Write down who you called and when. Contact your insurer before major cleanup when possible.
Do not throw away a damaged item until you know the insurer’s rules, unless it poses a safety risk. If it must go, take a photo first.
Stop more water without creating a second emergency
Do not begin cleanup until local authorities say it is safe, and stay clear of dangerous debris and broken utility lines.
From safe ground, move dry belongings away from a leak. Place a container under a drip and protect the floor. Stay clear of damaged areas and dangerous debris.
For repair work, consider only licensed and insured contractors. Get a written estimate describing the work, materials, completion date, and price.
Water, mold, and cleanup
Standing water and wet materials can support viruses, bacteria, and mold. Use a professional experienced with contaminated-water cleanup when sewage or other contaminated water caused the damage.
EPA says to act quickly, fix water problems as soon as possible, and dry wet items completely.
Keep generators dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or a device connected to one can cause electrical shock.
Food, medicine, and power
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed during an outage. An unopened fridge keeps food cold for about four hours. A full freezer lasts about 48 hours. A half-full freezer lasts about 24 hours.
When in doubt about food safety, throw it out. Do not taste food to decide. Ask a pharmacist about medicine that became too warm, wet, or contaminated.
Use a portable generator outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages. Keep it dry and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoid repair scams after a storm
A rush can lead to a bad deal. Check the contractor’s name, phone, insurance, license when required, and recent local references.
- Get the work, materials, price, and payment schedule in writing.
- Do not pay the full amount before work starts.
- Do not sign over an insurance payment without understanding the document.
- Keep copies of every estimate, contract, receipt, and message.
- Ask who will obtain permits and schedule inspections.
When to call which professional
| What you find | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Fallen power line or broken utility line | Stay clear and follow local-authority instructions |
| Sewage or contaminated-water damage | A professional experienced with contaminated-water cleanup |
| Mold covering more than about 10 square feet or extensive water damage | Consult EPA’s remediation guidance or an experienced mold-cleanup contractor |
What to do before the day ends
- Confirm that everyone has a safe place to sleep.
- Save claim numbers and emergency contacts in two places.
- Charge phones and backup batteries where power is safe.
- Separate dry items from wet items.
- Write tomorrow’s top three calls before you stop.
You do not need to solve it all today. Make the site safe. Save proof. Plan the next call.
Then work in order: photos, short-term protection, drying, estimates, and repair. Our editorial standards explain how we check home-safety and contractor facts.
For more official guidance, see Ready.gov tornado safety, the FTC home-improvement scam guide, and the EPA mold cleanup guide.
This guide provides general home-safety information. Follow local officials, utilities, your insurer, and qualified professionals for your property and conditions.
Related reading: Indoor Air Quality and Health: What Your Home Environment Affects