Returning Home After a Hurricane — The Checklist That Could Save Your Life

Before You Enter — The Exterior Check

• ✅ Confirm official re-entry authorization — do not re-enter before local authorities have cleared your area
• ✅ Walk the perimeter first — check foundation for cracks, walls for visible lean, roof for obvious structural damage
• ✅ Check for downed power lines — do not approach any downed line; assume all downed lines are energized
• ✅ Look for propane tank displacement — if tank has moved, do not approach; call your gas utility
• ✅ Check for standing water around foundation — note depth before entering
• ✅ Open all doors and windows remotely first — allow fresh air in before entering; use a long tool to push doors open from outside if structure integrity is uncertain
• ✅ Wait 5 minutes — for gas to dissipate before entering
• ✅ If you smell gas — do not enter — leave the area immediately, call your gas utility

The First 60 Seconds Inside

Move through the home quickly on an initial safety pass before stopping to assess damage or retrieve belongings. In the first 60 seconds:

1. Look up — check ceiling for sagging, water damage, or structural debris before standing under any area
2. Do not touch light switches — do not restore power at the breaker until the home has been inspected
3. Check for standing water inside — any interior flooding means treat all electrical systems as energized and dangerous
4. Smell for gas — if you detect any sulfur or rotten egg smell, exit immediately
5. Note structural damage — walls that are bowed, floors that feel soft, or doors that will not open or close may indicate structural compromise
6. Exit and call a professional if any of the above are present before proceeding

Room-by-Room Safety Checklist

Electrical panel / utility room:

• Do not restore power if panel was flooded or if there is any standing water
• If panel appears dry and there is no flooding, have an electrician inspect before restoring
• Turn off individual circuit breakers before restoring main power

Kitchen:

• Do not use gas appliances until gas has been confirmed safe
• Discard all food that was in a refrigerator that lost power for more than 4 hours
• Do not use tap water until boil water order status is confirmed
• Check under sink for water damage and mold

Bathrooms:

• Do not flush toilets until sewer system is confirmed operational — may cause sewage backup
• Check under vanity and around toilet base for water damage

Attic:

• Do not enter attic until roof has been assessed — compromised roof decking may give way
• If you must enter, test each step before committing weight
• Check for roof penetrations that would allow water to damage structure

Utilities — How to Restore Them Safely

• Electricity: Do not restore power to a flooded home without electrician inspection. If home did not flood, have an electrician assess before restoring main power. Restore circuit by circuit, not all at once.
• Natural gas: If you turned off gas before the storm, your gas utility must restore service — do not do it yourself. If gas is still on, check for damage before using any appliances.
• Water: Check for boil water order status before using tap water. If on a private well that flooded, do not use until tested.
• HVAC: If unit was flooded, do not run until inspected. Running a flooded HVAC distributes contaminated water and mold spores through the home.
• Septic system: If property flooded, have septic system inspected before use — flooding can displace tanks and damage drain fields.

When to Leave Your Home Again After Returning

Frequently Asked Questions