Safety, Clean-Up, and Documenting Damage

• Stay in your home if it is safe. 
• If your home is not safe, go to a safe place right away. Follow directions from local officials about where to find a safe place to shelter. If you need emergency help, call 911. 
• Let your family and friends know you are safe.                                        
• Do not drive on flooded roads or in areas with heavy damage because there may be downed power lines. 
• Avoid floodwater completely. It could have  sewage, chemicals, sharp debris, and bacteria in it. Do not use it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.  Throw away any food or bottled water that touched floodwater.  Check with your local health department to see if water is safe to drink.
• Protect yourself during cleanup.  Wear waterproof boots, ,work gloves, long sleeves and pants, eye protection and an N95 mask if dealing with mold or debris.
• Never use generators, grills or gas-powered tools inside your home or near windows.  Keep generators at least 20 feet away from doors and windows.

• Before you begin the clean up, take photos and videos of all damage to your home as soon as it is safe.
• You may clean up mud, water, and debris, but do not begin major repairs or tear anything down until after your FEMA inspection and insurance inspection. 
• Make a list of everything that is damaged or destroyed and take photos and videos. Take photos of serial numbers on electronics (e.g., TV, computer, laptop).
• Unless they are dangerous, do not remove damaged furniture or appliances until after your FEMA inspection.  Take photos and videos of anything you have to throw away.
• If you are cleaning out things like clothes, dishes, rugs, and toys that were damaged, do not throw them away until after your FEMA inspection and insurance inspection.
• Save receipts for cleanup costs and supplies, such as generators, dehumidifiers, and chainsaws. 
• You should take steps to protect your home from more damage, like putting a tarp on the roof or boarding up broken windows.

Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and get an itemized estimate from a mechanic for labor and replacement parts. Do not get rid of your vehicle until it is inspected by your insurance company and FEMA. If your vehicle is a total loss, you will need to get a salvage title.