Guide
After the Storm: A Whole-House Guide for Southeast Texas
The first 72 hours, what to photograph, and how each part of the house gets put back together.
The first 72 hours
What to Do in the First 72 Hours
- 01Get everyone safe. Stay clear of downed power lines and standing water that could be energized.
- 02If water is coming in, move what you can out of the way and catch what you can.
- 03Photograph and video every room and every side of the house before anything is moved or thrown out.
- 04Write down the date and time the damage happened and when you first saw it.
- 05Call your insurance company to report the damage and write down the claim number and who you spoke with.
- 06Get the roof tarped and broken windows or doors boarded to stop more damage.
- 07Pull wet carpet pad, rugs and soaked belongings out of the house, and photograph them first.
- 08Keep receipts for tarps, fans, hotel nights and anything else you spend.
- 09Get a written repair scope with measurements and photos before permanent repairs start.
Before anything moves
What to Photograph
- Wide shots of each side of the house, then close-ups of every damaged spot.
- The roof from the ground, and any shingles, flashing or pieces lying in the yard.
- Every ceiling stain, wet wall and water line, with something in the frame for scale.
- Fence sections down, from both sides.
- Damaged belongings before they go to the curb, with model numbers where you can.
- Fallen trees and where they hit the house.
The whole house
Storm Damage Is Not Just the Roof
Wind and water find every weak spot. Walk the whole property, inside and out, before you decide what the damage is.
Emergency tarp and board-up
The first job is stopping more water. A tarp over the damaged part of the roof and plywood over broken windows and doors are temporary. They keep the damage from getting worse while the permanent repair is scoped and scheduled.
More on this workRoof repair
Missing shingles, lifted tabs, torn flashing, punctured decking and tree strikes. Some roofs need a repair. Some need a full replacement. In Jefferson and Chambers counties a replacement roof typically needs a windstorm inspection for a WPI-8 certificate.
More on this workFence down
Wind takes down wood privacy fence at the posts. A section can often be reset and repaired. A long run with rotted posts is usually a replacement. Secure the yard first if you have pets or a pool.
More on this workSiding and soffit
Torn siding, missing soffit and loose fascia let wind-driven rain into the walls and attic. These are often missed on a roof-only inspection. Walk every side of the house and photograph them.
More on this workSheetrock and ceiling water damage
A ceiling stain or sag means water sat on the sheetrock. Wet insulation above it holds water and keeps the ceiling wet. The wet material comes out, the space dries, and new sheetrock goes up with the texture matched.
More on this workFlooring
Carpet pad, laminate and wood floors that soak up water usually have to come out. Tile and vinyl plank can often stay if the slab or subfloor dries. After a flood, it is worth choosing materials that tolerate the next one.
More on this workDebris and haul-off
Limbs, torn shingles, wet sheetrock and ruined flooring have to go somewhere. Cities often run storm debris pickup with rules about separating debris by type. Repair debris from the work itself is hauled off as part of the job.
This corner of Texas
Storms This Area Has Lived Through
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The storms that did the most damage here came between late August and October.
- 2005
Hurricane Rita
Made landfall near the Texas and Louisiana line in late September. Wind damage reached across Jefferson, Orange, Hardin and Jasper counties.
- 2008
Hurricane Ike
Made landfall at Galveston in September. Storm surge flooded low areas of Orange County, including Bridge City, and parts of Port Arthur.
- 2017
Hurricane Harvey
Stalled over Southeast Texas in late August and early September. Record rain flooded homes across Jefferson and Orange counties.
- 2019
Tropical Storm Imelda
Dropped more than 40 inches of rain on parts of Jefferson County in September. Many homes that stayed dry in Harvey flooded.
- 2020
Hurricane Laura
Made landfall in southwest Louisiana in late August. Its western side brought damaging wind to Orange County and the towns around it.
After the Storm Questions
What should I do first after a storm damages my house?
Make sure everyone is safe, then stop more water from getting in. Photograph and video everything before anything is moved, report the damage to your insurance company, and get the roof tarped and openings boarded.
What should I photograph for my adjuster?
Every side of the house, every damaged area up close, every ceiling stain and wet wall, the fence, the roof from the ground, and damaged belongings before they go to the curb. Note the date and time of the storm.
Do you work with insurance claims?
We document the damage so your adjuster has a clear scope: photos, measurements and a written repair estimate. We can meet the adjuster on site to show what we found. The claim itself is between you and your insurance company.
Is a storm damage repair different from this guide?
Yes. This page covers what to do across the whole house after a storm. The storm damage repair page covers how the repair work itself is scoped and done.
What about mold after water damage?
Wet materials need to come out and the space needs to dry quickly. If mold has already spread over a large area, Texas requires a licensed mold remediator for that part of the work.
Answered by Rocha's General Construction · Updated
Storm Damage to Your House?
Tell us what you are seeing. We will look at it in person and put the repair scope in writing.