What to do in the first 24 hours after storm damage
The first day after a storm decides whether you file a small mitigation claim or a six-figure restoration claim.
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Before anything else, account for everyone in the home. If there is structural damage, downed lines, or visible water near electrical, leave the area and call 911 first.
2. Document everything before you touch it
Use your phone to take wide shots of every damaged room and tight close-ups of impacted materials. Time-stamped photos are the single most valuable thing your insurance adjuster will ask for.
3. Stop the loss — without making it worse
Most policies require you to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent further damage. That means an emergency tarp on an exposed roof, water extraction from a leaking ceiling, and shutting off water to a burst line. EMC handles all of this 24/7 and provides the paperwork the adjuster needs.
4. Call your insurer and your mitigation company
Open the claim, get a claim number, then call EMC. We coordinate directly with adjusters and provide a documented scope so there are no surprises later.
Need this handled tonight?
Crews on standby across MD, DC & VA. Call (240) 441-1389.