The storm has passed, but your home has sustained damage. The next 24-48 hours are critical for protecting your family, preventing further damage, and starting the insurance claims process. This guide covers immediate actions every St. Johns County homeowner should take after hurricane damage.

First Hour: Safety Assessment (Do NOT Skip)

Before Entering Your Home:

  • Wait for official all-clear from St. Johns County Emergency Management
  • Check for structural damage: Sagging roof, leaning walls, foundation cracks
  • Look for downed power lines - Stay 35+ feet away, call FPL: 1-800-468-8243
  • Smell for gas leaks - If yes, don't enter. Call TECO: 1-877-832-6747
  • Listen for hissing or rushing water inside walls

⚠️ DO NOT ENTER if you see:

  • Major structural damage (collapsed walls, roof)
  • Water above ground level (flooding)
  • Sparks or smoke
  • Strong gas smell

Hour 1-2: Initial Damage Documentation

Equipment You Need:

  • Smartphone/camera with timestamp enabled
  • Flashlight (power may be out)
  • Rubber boots and gloves
  • Face mask (for mold/debris)
  • Notebook and pen

Photo Documentation Checklist:

  • Exterior - ALL four sides of home:
    • Roof damage (missing shingles, holes, sagging)
    • Siding damage (holes, missing panels)
    • Window and door damage
    • Fence, deck, and shed damage
    • Fallen trees or branches on structures
    • Debris that caused damage
  • Interior - Every affected room:
    • Water damage to ceilings, walls, floors
    • Damaged furniture and belongings
    • Soaked carpets and rugs
    • Appliance damage
    • HVAC system damage
  • Important: Take wide shots AND close-ups of each damage area

Hour 2-4: Emergency Damage Control

Stop Further Damage (Required by Insurance):

  • Roof leaks: Place tarps over holes (save receipts!)
  • Broken windows: Board up with plywood
  • Water intrusion: Use buckets, towels, mops
  • Turn off water at main valve if pipes broken
  • Turn off electricity to flooded areas at breaker box

Emergency Tarping Costs in St. Johns County:

  • Small tarp (10x12): $200-400 installed
  • Large roof section: $800-1,500
  • Full roof emergency cover: $2,000-5,000

⚠️ Keep ALL receipts - Insurance reimburses emergency repairs up to policy limits.

Hour 4-8: Contact Insurance Company

What to Say When You Call:

  1. "I'm calling to report hurricane/wind damage to my home"
  2. Provide policy number (found on insurance card or documents)
  3. Give brief description: "Roof damage with water intrusion" or "Multiple broken windows"
  4. Request claim number immediately
  5. Ask about emergency living expenses if home uninhabitable

Information Insurance Will Need:

  • Your name, phone, policy number
  • Property address
  • Date and time damage occurred
  • Brief damage description
  • Are you safe? Is home habitable?

Major Insurance Companies in Florida:

  • Citizens Insurance: 1-866-411-2742
  • State Farm: 1-800-732-5246
  • Allstate: 1-800-255-7828
  • Progressive: 1-800-776-4737
  • USAA: 1-800-531-8722

Day 1-2: Water Removal and Drying

Why This is Urgent:

  • Mold grows in 24-48 hours in Florida humidity
  • Wet drywall loses structural integrity
  • Prolonged water exposure voids some insurance coverage
  • Wet materials attract pests

DIY Water Removal:

  • Use wet/dry shop vac for standing water
  • Pull up wet carpet padding (can't be saved)
  • Remove wet insulation from walls
  • Open windows for air circulation (if weather permits)
  • Use fans and dehumidifiers 24/7

When to Call Professionals:

  • Water depth over 2 inches
  • Category 3 water (sewage, floodwater)
  • Water in walls or ceiling
  • Large area affected (over 100 sq ft)

Water Remediation Costs (St. Johns County):

  • Small room (10x10): $800-1,500
  • Large room (15x20): $2,000-4,000
  • Whole house: $5,000-15,000+
  • Includes: Extraction, drying, anti-microbial treatment

Day 2-3: Meet Insurance Adjuster

Before Adjuster Arrives:

  • Organize all photos by room/area
  • Create itemized damage list with estimated values
  • Gather receipts for emergency repairs
  • Find original insurance policy documents
  • Note all damaged items (even small things)

During Adjuster Visit:

  • Walk them through ALL damage (don't assume they'll see everything)
  • Point out hidden damage (attic, crawl space)
  • Take notes on what they photograph
  • Get their contact info and claim timeline
  • Ask about additional living expenses if applicable

After Adjuster Leaves:

  • Send follow-up email summarizing discussion
  • Attach any photos they didn't take
  • Keep checking for additional damage (leaks may appear later)

Week 1: Getting Contractor Estimates

Red Flags - Avoid These Contractors:

  • Door knockers right after storm
  • Require large upfront payment (over 10%)
  • Pressure you to sign immediately
  • Offer to waive insurance deductible (illegal)
  • No physical address or FL license
  • Cash-only payments

Get Multiple Estimates (Always Get 3+):

  • Detailed written estimates
  • Itemized costs (materials + labor)
  • Timeline for completion
  • Warranty information
  • References from past hurricane repairs

Verify Contractor:

  • Check FL license: MyFloridaLicense.com
  • Verify insurance (get certificate)
  • Read reviews on Google, BBB, Angi
  • Ask for local references

Important Documents to Keep

Create Hurricane Damage Folder With:

  • All damage photos (digital + printed copies)
  • Insurance policy documents
  • Claim number and adjuster contact
  • All contractor estimates
  • Receipts for emergency repairs
  • Receipts for damaged items (if you have them)
  • Communication log (dates, times, who you spoke with)
  • Hotel receipts if displaced

Insurance Claim Timeline (What to Expect)

  • Day 1-2: File claim, get claim number
  • Day 3-7: Adjuster inspection
  • Day 10-14: Initial settlement offer
  • Day 14-30: Negotiate if needed
  • Day 30-45: Final settlement, check issued

Note: After major hurricanes, timeline may be 2-3x longer due to volume.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • DON'T: Throw away damaged items before adjuster sees them
  • DON'T: Start major repairs before insurance approval
  • DON'T: Sign over insurance check to contractor upfront
  • DON'T: Accept first settlement without review
  • DON'T: Miss documentation (photos are everything)
  • DON'T: Wait to file claim (30-day deadline in some policies)

When to Hire a Public Adjuster

Consider hiring if:

  • Damage over $25,000
  • Insurance denies claim
  • Settlement offer seems too low
  • You don't have time to manage claim
  • Complex damage (multiple areas)

Public Adjuster Cost: 10-15% of final settlement (only pay if they get you more money)

Federal Assistance (FEMA)

Apply if:

  • Hurricane declared federal disaster
  • Your insurance doesn't cover all damage
  • You don't have insurance
  • You need immediate housing assistance

How to Apply:

  • Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Phone: 1-800-621-3362
  • Mobile App: FEMA app

FEMA Assistance Typical Amounts:

  • Temporary housing: $500-2,000/month
  • Home repairs: Up to $38,000 (2024 max)
  • Personal property: Up to $38,000

Recovery Timeline

What to Expect:

  • Week 1: Emergency repairs, insurance claim filed
  • Week 2-3: Adjuster visit, get contractor estimates
  • Month 1-2: Settlement received, repairs begin
  • Month 2-4: Major repairs completed
  • Month 4-6: Final touches, home restored

St. Johns County Hurricane Recovery Resources:

  • Emergency Management: 904-824-5550
  • Building Inspections: 904-209-0720
  • Debris Removal Hotline: 904-209-2700
  • Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767

Bottom Line: First 48 Hours Checklist

  • ☐ Ensure family safety
  • ☐ Document ALL damage with photos/video
  • ☐ Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage
  • ☐ Contact insurance company immediately
  • ☐ Start water removal/drying process
  • ☐ Save all receipts
  • ☐ Create damage documentation folder
  • ☐ Get 3+ contractor estimates
  • ☐ Apply for FEMA if eligible
  • ☐ Keep detailed communication log

The actions you take in the first 48 hours after hurricane damage can make a $10,000+ difference in your final insurance settlement and prevent mold damage that insurance won't cover. Document everything, act quickly, and don't hesitate to call professionals for major damage.

© 2024 Handyman St Johns. Hurricane damage recovery guide for St. Johns County, Ponte Vedra, and Nocatee homeowners. Free to share with attribution. For emergency repairs after hurricane damage, call (904) 871-5791.