What comes first after a storm?
Check on people before property. Make sure everyone is accounted for, give first aid where needed, and call 911 for serious injuries. Then look for hazards before you walk the farm: downed power lines, gas smells, broken glass, loose roofing and leaning trees.
Treat every downed line as live. Stay far back and call the utility. Do not try to move debris that touches or may touch a line.
- Account for everyone and give first aid
- Call 911 for serious injury
- Stay away from downed lines and report them
- Do not use open flames if you smell gas
How do you walk the property safely?
Wait for daylight if the storm hit at night. Wear sturdy boots, long sleeves, gloves and eye protection, and carry a phone and flashlight. Tell someone where you are going, and do not go alone if you can help it. Stay out of damaged buildings until you are sure they are stable.
Work in a set route so you do not miss areas: house, outbuildings, barns and coops, equipment, fences and gates, fields, then trees and ponds.
If someone is helping you, agree on a signal and a meeting point first. Storm cleanup often involves several people in different areas, and a quick check-in prevents someone from being injured out of sight for long.
What should you check in buildings and utilities?
Look at roofs, walls, doors and foundations for signs of damage. Shut off utilities if you suspect damage and let qualified professionals check electrical, gas and propane systems before restoring them. Heavy snow, wind and water can all weaken structures in ways that are not obvious.
Be cautious about cleanup of debris that might contain asbestos or other hazardous material in older buildings. Ask your county health office or state environmental agency before disturbing it.
Photograph meter readings and breaker positions before you shut anything off, so professionals can see the starting state. Keep children and visitors well away from damaged areas.
How do you check animals, fences and water?
Count animals and look for injuries, signs of shock or illness. Walk fence lines, because fallen limbs often take down wire and gates, and animals may have strayed. Check water sources, since storms can foul ponds and troughs with debris and runoff, and power loss can stop pumps.
Contact your veterinarian for injured or sick animals. Keep animals away from areas with broken glass, metal and fallen wires until cleared.
If animals are loose or injured, approach calmly and use secure gear. Frightened animals can behave unpredictably even when they are normally gentle.
- Count and inspect every animal
- Walk all fence lines before opening gates
- Check water quality and pump power
- Move animals away from debris hazards
How do you assess trees and crops?
Damaged trees can drop limbs without warning. Hanging branches and leaning trees are dangerous to remove without training, so consider hiring a qualified tree service or asking your extension forester. Crops and orchards may show wind, hail or water damage. Photograph before removing any plants and ask your insurance agent or the USDA Farm Service Agency about reporting requirements and timelines.
Do not rush to destroy damaged crops until you have records and know what your policy or program requires.
How do you record damage for claims?
Photograph and video each area with date stamps, and write a loss list with approximate values and receipts where possible. Keep damaged items until the adjuster says otherwise, if safe. Make only temporary repairs to prevent further loss, such as tarping a roof, and keep those receipts.
Contact your insurer promptly. Ask the local FSA office and county emergency management about disaster programs, since details vary by event and location.
How should you set priorities for repair?
Rank repairs by safety, animal welfare, weather protection and then production. A roof tarp and a fixed fence may matter more than a repaired shed. Accept help from neighbors, but be careful with unknown contractors and written agreements.
Take time to rest. Exhaustion causes accidents, and the work will still be there tomorrow.
Ask the county extension office about local volunteer groups and disaster recovery coordinators. After large storms, church and community groups often organize labor for fence, debris and roof work, and they can be a real help.
Key takeaways
- Check people and hazards first, and treat all downed lines as live.
- Walk the farm in a set order and avoid damaged structures.
- Photograph everything before cleanup and keep receipts for temporary repairs.
- Use qualified professionals for trees, electrical and gas problems.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.