What comes first after the storm passes?
Check on people and call 911 for injuries. Wait until it is safe to go outside, since lightning, high winds and flooding can continue after the worst has passed. Listen to the National Weather Service or local officials for updates.
Look for hazards before you go near them: downed power lines, gas leaks, broken glass, unstable trees and damaged buildings. Treat every line as live and keep well away. Report hazards to the utility and local authorities.
After a tornado, hail or high winds, the area around buildings may hold nails, glass and sheet metal. Keep children and pets inside until you have swept the area.
- Check people and call 911 for injuries
- Stay away from downed lines
- Avoid floodwater and damaged structures
- Listen for official updates
- Wear sturdy boots and gloves before walking through debris
- Keep children and pets indoors until the yard is swept
How do you set priorities?
A simple order works well. First is life safety, then stopping further damage such as leaks or open roofs, then securing animals and food and water, then temporary repairs, and finally permanent repairs. Do not start with cosmetic fixes.
Work in daylight when possible and wear sturdy shoes, gloves and eye protection. Do not work alone, and avoid heavy lifting. Take breaks, since fatigue causes injuries.
Make a short written list of every job, sorted into those groups, and cross items off. A list keeps you from drifting toward the loudest problem and not the most important one.
- Life safety
- Stop further damage
- Animals, food and water
- Temporary repairs
How do you protect animals after a storm?
Count your animals and check for injuries. Look for broken fences, gaps and debris that could hurt them or let them escape. Make sure they have water and shelter, and keep them away from damaged buildings and hazards.
If animals are loose or injured, work calmly and call your veterinarian. Your county extension office and emergency management office may have guidance and may know about help.
Feed storage, hay and grain that got wet can spoil or become dangerous. Ask your veterinarian or extension office before feeding anything that was soaked.
What about utilities and water?
Do not use electrical equipment that has been wet. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside. Your water, well or septic system may have been affected, so ask your county health department about testing and safe use before you drink or use them.
Report outages to the utility and keep a log of times and contacts.
- Gas smell means leave and call
- Do not use wet electrical equipment
- Test wells after flooding
- Keep your septic system in mind after heavy rain
How do you document damage?
Photograph and video everything before cleanup, from several angles, then keep notes with dates. Keep damaged items if possible, and keep receipts for emergency repairs. This evidence supports insurance claims and any government assistance.
Contact your insurance agent promptly, and ask the Farm Service Agency, your county emergency management office and FEMA at Ready.gov about disaster assistance. Eligibility and deadlines vary, so ask directly.
Keep a log of your own time and any hired help, which may be useful for assistance programs. Ask each agency what proof it needs.
How do you avoid scams and bad repairs?
After storms, unlicensed contractors and scammers often appear. Be cautious of anyone who demands cash, wants full payment up front or pressures you to sign right away. Ask for licenses and references, and get written estimates.
Your state attorney general or consumer protection office can tell you how to verify a contractor. Take time before committing.
- Ask for licenses and references
- Never pay in full before work is done
- Get every promise in writing
How do you look after yourself and your family?
Storm recovery is physically and emotionally draining. Eat, drink water and rest. Watch for signs of stress in yourself, your children and neighbors. Ask for help and accept it.
If you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, talk to a doctor, a counselor or someone you trust, or call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US.
- Rest and eat regularly
- Ask neighbors for help
- Check on older neighbors
- Call or text 988 if you feel overwhelmed
Key takeaways
- Check people first and stay away from downed lines, gas and floodwater.
- Work in order: life safety, stop further damage, animals and water, then repairs.
- Document damage before cleanup and call your insurer promptly.
- Watch for scams and look after your own health.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.