Before you clean up, take these photos.

Outside firstWalk all the way around the house.

• Each side of the house, wideStand back far enough to get the whole wall and roofline in one shot. Front, back and both sides.
• The roof, from the groundAll four sides. Zoom in on missing shingles, tiles or metal, lifted edges and holes. Never climb up.
• Gutters, soffits and fasciaBent, hanging or missing pieces, and any spots where water is getting behind them.
• Windows, doors and garage doorBroken glass, bent frames, torn screens, water marks below windows.
• Siding, stucco and trimCracks, holes, missing panels and anything that hit the house.
• Fence, every sectionLeaning posts, missing boards, gates that no longer close.
• Outside AC unitAll sides, plus the label plate with the model and serial number. Note if it sat in water.
• Trees and debrisWhere each tree or limb landed, what it hit, and the stump or break point.
• Water lines outsideMud, debris or stain lines on walls, the garage and outbuildings show how high water came.
• Pool, screen enclosure, shed, dock, carportAnything else on the property that took a hit.
• VehiclesOutside and inside if water got in. Auto damage is usually a separate claim with your auto insurer.

Inside, every roomEven rooms that look fine. Hidden water shows up later.

• Each room, wide, from the doorwayThen turn and shoot each corner, so the whole room is covered.
• CeilingsStains, sagging, cracks, drips and bubbling paint. Point the camera straight up.
• Water lines on wallsHold a tape measure against the wall in the photo so the height is clear.
• Floors and baseboardsWet carpet, buckled wood or laminate, lifted tile, swollen baseboards.
• Cabinets, closets and under sinksOpen the doors. Swelling and wet backs often hide in there.
• Attic, only if it is safeWet insulation, daylight through the roof deck, water on rafters.
• Water heater, electrical panel, appliancesPhoto the label plates too. Do not touch anything that sat in water.

Your damaged thingsBefore anything goes to the curb.

• Each damaged itemOne clear photo per item. Write a short label on paper and put it in the shot.
• Brand, model and serial tagsOn TVs, electronics, appliances, furniture and tools.
• The pile before it goes outWide shots of the debris pile, then closer shots of what is in it.
• Keep a sample when you canA cut piece of carpet and pad, a strip of flooring. Your insurer may want to see it.
• Spoiled foodOpen fridge and freezer, then the bags before they go out.

Receipts and costsKeep every one, in one envelope or folder.

• Hotel or rental staysIf you cannot live at home, keep every night's receipt.
• Food and extra travelMeals out, gas and mileage you would not have spent otherwise.
• SuppliesTarps, fans, dehumidifiers, plywood, generator fuel, cleaning supplies.
• Emergency workTree removal, tarping, water extraction. Get a written invoice.
• A photo of each receiptPaper fades and gets wet. A photo keeps it safe.