It is hard to express the feeling right after a storm rolls through your neighborhood. You are staring at puddles in the hallway, a soaked carpet, maybe a busted fence, or a weird smell from somewhere. And your brain is just trying to figure out what to do first.

It’s overwhelming. But there’s a way through it.

You do not need to fix everything in one go. You only need a place to start, and that’s what this list is for.

Storm’s Over- Now What? Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Home Back

Check on People First- Then Worry About the House

This part is easy to overlook when you are in the thick of it. But stop for a second and make sure your family, pets, and neighbors are okay. If power is out or there is water everywhere, try not to panic. Just take stock of who is safe and what is around you.

The home stuff can wait a few minutes if possible.

Take Photos Even If It Feels Strange

Grab your phone and take pictures of everything. The mess, the damage, the fallen branches, the water stains- it all matters. Even if it feels silly snapping pics of your soggy kitchen floor, your future self (and your insurance adjuster) will thank you for it.

Try to do this before you move anything around too much.

Deal with the Water Before It Gets Worse

If water gets inside your home, time is working against you. Mold kicks in quicker than most of us think, and once it shows up, it’s a whole different headache.

If the damage is beyond fans and towels, this is the time to consider calling for a home restoration service. They know how to handle structural drying and hidden damage. Sometimes, what you don’t see under the surface ends up being the real problem.

If You Smell Something Funky… Don’t Ignore It

Here’s the part no one wants to talk about, but we have to: sewer backups. Yep. Storms can push that mess back up into your house through drains or toilets. And trust us that it is not just gross; it is dangerous!

This is definitely not something you want to mess with on your own. A sewage cleanup service can handle the job safely, and honestly, they are trained for stuff most of us are not prepared to handle.

Talk to Your Insurance Company Early

Most of us aren’t sure what our policies cover until we really need them. Even if you do not know where you stand, call. Ask questions. Start the claim process sooner than later. It may take time, but getting the ball rolling now helps in the long run.

No one tells you how emotional it can be. Seeing your home like that- it’s a punch to the gut. One minute you’re angry, then you’re sad, then you’re just numb.

That’s normal.

Last Thing…

Storm recovery covers much more than just fixing walls and roofs. It’s about getting your space and your peace of mind back. You’re not alone in this. And even though it feels like chaos right now, things will settle. You’ll begin to see progress. You’ll feel a shift. And before you know it, your home will feel like yours again.

Hang in there. You’ve got more strength in you than you think.

Everything is going to be okay. Really!!!