Quick answer: After a storm, act fast. Make sure everyone is safe, document the damage with photos and video before cleanup, stop more water from getting in, and start drying within 24–48 hours to prevent mold. Water that came in through a storm-damaged roof or window and floodwater that rose from outside are different kinds of damage, so ask your insurance agent how your policy treats each one. Need help now? We handle storm damage restoration in Tampa 24/7: tarping, board-up, water removal, drying and repairs.
By David Weible, co-owner and IICRC-certified technician at Tidal Restoration — Tampa & St. Petersburg, FL. We respond to storm and flood losses across Tampa Bay every hurricane season.
First steps after storm or flood damage
- Stay safe. Don’t enter standing water that may hide electrical hazards or contamination, and watch for structural damage.
- Document everything — photos and video of the damage and the water line, before you move or remove anything.
- Stop further damage if you safely can: tarp a damaged roof, board broken windows, shut off water or power as needed.
- Report the loss promptly to your insurer (and your flood insurer, if separate).
- Start drying fast. In Florida humidity, mold can begin within 24–48 hours.
- Call a restoration company to extract water, dry the structure, and document the loss for your claim.
Wind damage vs. flooding: questions to ask your insurance agent
Storm damage usually reaches a home in one of two ways, and it helps to know which one you have before you call your insurance company:
- Wind damage. Wind lifts shingles or tile, breaks a window or drops a tree on the house, and rain comes in through the opening. The water comes from above, and the damage usually starts at the roof, ceiling or windows.
- Flooding. Storm surge, an overflowing waterway or heavy rain pooling around the house pushes water in from outside at ground level. Floodwater is treated as contaminated (Category 3) water.
Every policy is different, and only your insurance company can decide what your policy covers. Questions worth asking your agent: How does my policy treat wind damage versus flooding? Do I have a separate flood policy, and what does it include? What is my hurricane deductible? What documentation do you need from me?
Either way, dated photos and thorough documentation matter. We document the cause and extent of the damage with photos, moisture readings and a written scope, and we work directly with your insurance company and adjuster.
Do you have flood insurance? (Most Florida homeowners need it)
Standard homeowners insurance never covers flooding. You need a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer. As of 2025, Florida’s state-backed Citizens Property Insurance requires policyholders to carry flood insurance regardless of flood zone. In a low-lying coastal area like Pinellas or coastal Hillsborough, flood coverage is close to essential — and it typically has a 30-day waiting period, so it can’t be bought once a storm is on the way.
Watch your hurricane deductible
Florida policies carry a separate hurricane deductible — usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage (often 2%–10%), not a flat dollar amount. On a major loss that can mean a much larger out-of-pocket cost than a typical claim, so check your policy before you assume what you’ll owe.
Why fast mitigation protects your home and your claim
Every hour that water sits, more of your structure is saturated and mold risk climbs. Quick extraction and drying limit the damage, lower the eventual restoration cost, and help your claim by showing you acted to prevent further loss — something your policy requires. Tidal Restoration targets a 60-minute on-site response, 24/7, across St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Pinellas County.
Frequently asked questions
It covers wind-driven storm damage — like rain entering through a wind-damaged roof or a tree falling on your home. It does not cover flooding from storm surge or rising water, which requires a separate flood policy.
Wind damage (and rain that enters through a wind-created opening) is covered by standard homeowners insurance. Flood damage — water rising from the ground, storm surge, or heavy-rain flooding — is only covered by a separate flood policy through NFIP or a private insurer.
For most Tampa Bay homeowners, yes — especially in low-lying coastal areas. Standard homeowners insurance never covers flooding, and Citizens now requires flood coverage. Flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buy before storm season.
Stay safe and avoid standing water with hidden hazards, document everything with photos and video before cleanup, stop further damage if you safely can, report the loss promptly, and call a restoration company to extract and dry the structure within 24–48 hours.
Storm or flood damage in Tampa Bay? We respond 24/7
If a storm has flooded or damaged your home in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Pinellas County, Tidal Restoration responds around the clock with a 60-minute on-site target. We extract, dry, and document — and bill your insurance directly. Tampa: (813) 510-6137 · St. Petersburg: (727) 273-7393. Get emergency help now.
This guide is educational and reflects our experience as a Florida restoration contractor; it is not legal or insurance advice. Your coverage depends on your specific policies and the facts of your loss.
Related: How Hurricane Season Affects Homes in Tampa Bay — Understanding Storm Damage and Protection
This article is general information only, not insurance or legal advice. Every policy is different — confirm your coverage with your insurance company or a licensed public adjuster.