What should you do in the first 24 hours after a disaster?
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO4 min read
The short answer
Confirm everyone is safe first, before anything else. If you can safely re-enter your home, avoid unstable structures and exposed wiring. Check with local government or FEMA sources before assuming it’s safe to return if you evacuated. Once it’s safe, begin documenting damage and take basic steps to prevent it from getting worse.
Why the order of operations matters
In the chaos immediately after a disaster, it’s tempting to jump straight to assessing damage or starting cleanup. Safety has to come first, both because it genuinely matters most and because a significant share of disaster-related injuries and deaths happen in the immediate aftermath, from hazards like unstable structures and downed power lines rather than the disaster event itself.
What to do, step by step
- Confirm everyone’s safety first. This includes household members and pets.
- Check re-entry status before returning, if you evacuated. Local government websites, FEMA, and registered emergency alerts are the sources to check, not assumption.
- Watch for hazards on the way back: submerged roads, downed power lines, structural instability.
- Once it’s safe, begin documenting damage. See post-disaster documentation for exactly what to capture.
- Prevent further damage where you safely can, like tarping a damaged roof, and keep receipts for anything you spend on this.
- Reach out to your communication circle to let people know you’re safe.
- Contact your identified contractor, if you have one, to get on their schedule and let them know you’ll be filing a claim.
Frequently asked
How do I know if it’s safe to return home?
Check your local government’s emergency management website or FEMA’s guidance, and sign up for local alerts if you haven’t already. Don’t rely on assumption alone.
What if I see hazards like downed power lines?
Stay well clear and report them to your utility company or local emergency services. Never attempt to move or interact with downed lines yourself.
Should I start cleaning up right away?
Document first, wherever it’s safe to do so. Once damage is cleared away, it’s much harder to prove for your claim.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy