After the storm: safety, then a record of the damage

Wait until they say the storm is over

FDEM's hurricane guide says not to go outside until the winds have calmed and local officials say the threat has passed. There is more debris, and the next band can still be dangerous. Ready.gov says to pay attention to local officials for special instructions.

Flood water and power

Ready.gov says do not walk, swim, or drive through flood water. Turn around. Its page states that six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Flood water can hold debris, chemicals, waste, and wildlife, and downed lines can charge it.

• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker. That is Ready.gov.
• FDEM says never use a wet electrical device, and to wait for an electrician to check it. Stay clear of fallen power lines and call the electric company.
• Do not enter a damaged building until local authorities say it is safe. Leave if you hear shifting or unusual noises.
• Ready.gov says children should not help with disaster cleanup, and that people with asthma, other lung conditions, or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold you can see or smell.
• If the power is out, Ready.gov's outage page says a refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours and a full freezer for about 48 hours if the door stays shut. Throw food out if it has been at 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more.

Generators are a separate hazard. The short version is outdoors, never in the garage, at least 20 feet from the house. The generator page has the CPSC wording.

A record, not a claim strategy

Banyan does not interpret a policy, tell you what is covered, or handle a claim. The notes below are what the Florida Department of Financial Services and Ready.gov publish. Questions about your policy belong with your insurer, with DFS, or with the Office of Insurance Regulation.

• Ready.gov says to document property damage with photographs and to contact your insurance company for assistance.
• DFS says to make an itemized list of belongings, including costs, purchase dates, and serial numbers, and to attach receipts, especially for expensive items. Dated photographs or video are on that list too.
• DFS says to keep receipts for cash purchases and for additional living expenses if you are out of the house. It also says standard homeowners policies usually do not cover flood, and tells you not to assume — check the policy. That is their statement, not a reading of yours.
• The banner on the DFS storm page says: following storm damage, don't sign anything — call the Insurance Consumer Helpline first, 1-877-693-5236 (1-877-MY-FL-CFO), weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Photograph only when it is safe to be in the space. The post-storm checklist puts safety first and the camera second.