What should I do first after a storm?
Check on people before property. Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for, and call emergency services for injuries. Stay out of damaged buildings until it is clear they are safe to enter.
Assume any downed line is live. Stay far away and report it to your utility and emergency services. Never touch or move wires, and keep animals and children clear.
Take care of yourself and the people around you. Long days of cleanup lead to exhaustion, dehydration and injuries. Eat, drink water and sleep. If stress feels overwhelming, talk to someone you trust. In the US you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time.
- Check people first
- Stay away from downed lines
- Avoid damaged buildings
- Report hazards to officials
How do I document damage?
Take photos and videos of everything before you move or repair it, and write down dates and descriptions. Keep receipts for emergency repairs and supplies. This helps with insurance and any assistance programs.
Keep damaged items where you can if an adjuster needs to see them, and ask before throwing things away.
Trees are a major hazard after storms. Leaning, split or hung-up limbs can fall without warning. Cutting storm-damaged trees is dangerous work, and a trained arborist or experienced professional should handle anything large or near lines or buildings.
What are the main hazards when cleaning up?
Cleanup causes many injuries. Chain saws, leaning trees, broken glass, nails, unstable structures and heavy equipment are all dangers. Work with a partner, wear protective gear and rest often. Do not work on roofs or in unstable structures without proper help.
Be careful with generators: run them outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents, because carbon monoxide can kill. Handle fuel safely and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Watch for hidden damage. Check roofs, wiring, propane lines, fuel tanks and the foundations of buildings. If you smell gas or see damaged electrical equipment, leave and call the utility or emergency services. Have a licensed electrician inspect anything that got wet.
How do I handle fences, animals and water?
Secure animals first. Temporary fencing can hold animals while you check permanent fences for breaks, tangled wire and debris. Look for hazards in pastures, such as downed wire, metal or contaminated water.
Check water sources for contamination. If floodwater reached a well, do not drink the water until the county health department says it is safe.
Check the farm's chemical, fuel and fertilizer storage. Floods and wind can move containers or damage them. Report leaks to the proper authorities and keep animals and children away.
- Move animals to a safe, secure area first
- Look for downed wire, metal and debris in pastures
- Check water sources for contamination
- Repair fences only after hazards are cleared
How do I deal with roads, culverts and drainage?
Check lanes, culverts and ditches for washouts and blockage. Do not drive through flooded roads. Report damage on public roads to the county road office. Clearing debris from culverts early can prevent further damage in the next rain.
For erosion and slope damage, ask your NRCS service center or conservation district for advice before doing major earthwork, as rules may apply.
Keep records of the hours you and helpers spend on repairs. Some programs and policies ask for them.
Who can help with repairs and recovery?
Call your insurance agent early, and ask about requirements for documentation and temporary repairs. Check with county emergency management and the Farm Service Agency about disaster assistance. Programs and deadlines vary, and you should ask each office.
Be wary of contractors who show up uninvited after storms demanding payment up front. Check licenses, references and written estimates, and report scams to your state attorney general.
What repairs can wait and what cannot?
Do first the repairs that protect safety and prevent more damage: containing animals, covering roof openings, clearing blocked drainage and securing hazards. These cannot wait.
Cosmetic repairs, permanent rebuilding and large purchases can usually wait until you have documented the damage, spoken with your insurer and made a clear plan. Rushing can add cost and create problems with claims.
Make a simple list with three columns: urgent safety, prevent further damage, and later. Work down the list with the people you have, and ask for help when it is too much.
- Urgent: safety and containing animals
- Soon: stop further damage
- Later: permanent rebuilding
- Ask for help early
Key takeaways
- Check people and hazards first, then document, then repair.
- Treat every downed line as live and use generators outdoors.
- Secure animals and check wells before use.
- Call insurance, county emergency management and FSA early.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.