What to Do in the First 24–48 Hours After Storm or Water Damage

After water damage, mold is a race against the clock: it can begin growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. In hurricane country, what you do in those first two days largely decides whether you have a drying job or a mold job. Here's the priority order.

First: stay safe and stop the water

• If it's a plumbing failure, shut off the water (know where your main valve is)
• If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, cut power to that area — or stay out until a pro can
• Never enter standing water that may be electrified
• Treat flood and storm-surge water as contaminated — don't handle it yourself

Next: document before you clean up

Take clear photos and video of the damage and standing water before removing anything. This is what supports an insurance claim — and in Florida, whether the resulting mold is covered often hinges on documenting a sudden, accidental cause versus flooding.

Then: get it dry, fast

• Remove standing water as soon as it's safe
• Get air moving — fans and a dehumidifier; run the AC if it's safe and working
• Pull up soaked rugs and lift wet furniture off wet flooring
• Remove water-logged porous items that can't be dried quickly

When to call a pro immediately

Significant standing water, water sitting more than a day, any flood or storm-surge water, or water that's reached walls, insulation or the subfloor all warrant a call right away. Local pros offer 24/7 storm and water-damage response — fast drying plus remediation of anything mold has already reached.