After a major windstorm, the instinct to start cleaning immediately is strong, but moving too fast can get you seriously hurt. Wind damage restoration cleanup has to begin with safety, not a broom. The aftermath of high winds, downed lines, unstable structures, and gas hazards kills and injures people every year. This guide walks you through the dangers to clear first, how to protect your insurance claim, and which jobs are genuinely DIY versus the ones you must hand to licensed professionals.
Stop and Check for Life-Threatening Hazards First
Before you touch a single branch, walk the property carefully and look for the hazards that can kill you. Do not rush this step.
Downed and Live Power Lines
Treat every downed line, and anything touching it, as energized and deadly. Stay at least 35 feet away, keep others and pets back, and never assume a line is dead because the power looks out. Lines can re-energize without warning. Call your electric utility company immediately to report it, and if a line is sparking, arcing, or has fallen on a car or fence someone is touching, call 911. Do not drive over downed lines.
Gas Leaks
If you smell rotten eggs or hear a hissing near gas lines or appliances, leave the building immediately, do not flip any switches or light anything, and call your gas company or 911 from a safe distance outside. A spark in a gas-filled space is catastrophic.
Structural and Roof Hazards
Look up and around for partially collapsed walls, sagging ceilings, hanging gutters, broken tree limbs caught in the canopy, and roof sections ready to slide. Unstable structures can come down without warning. If your home shifted, cracked at the foundation, or has a compromised roof, do not enter until a professional inspects it.
Standing Water Near Electrical
Never step into standing water if it could be in contact with outlets, submerged appliances, or the electrical panel. Water and electricity together can electrocute you. Shut off power at the main breaker only if you can reach it safely and dry, otherwise call an electrician or the utility.
Document Everything Before You Clean
This step protects thousands of dollars, so do it before cleanup begins. Photograph and video every angle of the damage, inside and out, including roof, walls, windows, soaked belongings, and fallen trees. Capture wide shots and close-ups. Do not throw anything away or make permanent repairs until your insurer has seen the documentation, because cleaning up first can reduce or void parts of your claim. The exception is temporary measures to prevent further damage, which insurers expect and which you should also photograph.
- Take dated photos and video of all damage, room by room
- Make a written inventory of damaged items with rough values
- Keep receipts for tarps, plywood, and emergency lodging
- Save damaged materials for the adjuster when reasonable
Contact Your Insurance Company Early
Call your insurer or agent as soon as it is safe to file the claim and start the process. Ask what your policy covers, whether it pays for emergency mitigation, and whether they have preferred restoration vendors. An adjuster will be assigned to inspect. The faster you report, the faster the claim moves, and prompt temporary protection of the property usually works in your favor.
Temporary Measures to Prevent Further Damage
Once the immediate hazards are cleared and documentation is done, you can take reasonable steps to stop the damage from getting worse. These are mitigation, not full repairs.
Tarping a Damaged Roof
A roof tarp keeps rain out until a roofer arrives. Only attempt this if the roof is stable and you can work safely from a ladder or the ground, never on a steep, wet, or damaged roof. Many people fall doing exactly this. Honestly, roof tarping is best left to professionals or licensed roofers, and many will install an emergency tarp the same day.
Boarding Up Broken Windows
Cover shattered windows with plywood cut to fit, screwed or anchored into the surrounding frame, to keep out rain, debris, and intruders. Wear heavy gloves and eye protection when handling broken glass.
Removing Fallen Branches and Debris Safely
Small, light yard debris and branches you can lift comfortably are reasonable to clear yourself. Wear gloves, sturdy boots, long sleeves, and eye protection, and watch for nails and glass hidden in the pile. Stop right there for anything bigger. Large fallen trees, limbs under tension, anything tangled in power lines, and trees leaning on the house require a professional tree service with the right equipment. Branches under load can spring violently when cut, and chainsaw injuries are severe. Do not run a chainsaw from a ladder or over your head.
Water Extraction and Drying to Prevent Mold
Wind damage often lets water in, and mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours. Once power is confirmed safe, extract standing water with a wet/dry vac or pump, pull up soaked carpet and padding, and run fans and a dehumidifier continuously. Open windows if the weather is dry. For anything beyond a small, clean area, a water-damage restoration company has industrial extractors, air movers, and moisture meters to dry wall cavities you cannot reach. Hidden moisture behind drywall and under flooring is exactly where dangerous mold takes hold.
When to Call Licensed Professionals
Be honest about the line between DIY and professional work. This is not risk-free DIY, and serious wind damage restoration cleanup almost always needs a team.
- Electricians for any wet electrical, damaged panels, or downed service lines on the home
- Roofers for tarping, structural roof damage, and permanent repairs
- Tree services for large trees, limbs under tension, and anything near power lines
- Water-damage restoration firms for significant flooding, soaked structures, and mold
- Structural engineers or general contractors if walls, ceilings, or the foundation are compromised
Clear the dangers, document for insurance, take reasonable temporary steps, and bring in licensed pros for the rest. Done in that order, your wind damage restoration cleanup protects both your safety and your wallet.
