Hours 0 to 24: Safety and First Calls
Stay safe. Do not go out until officials say it is safe. Stay far from fallen power lines. Treat each one as live. Keep kids and pets away. Do not walk in flood water. It can hide live wires and sharp trash. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 from outside. Use flashlights, not candles.
Call your insurer. Open your claim on day one if you can. Get your claim number. Write it down.
Report the outage. Call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-2726. Do not assume they know your power is out.
Day 1 to 2: Photos Before Cleanup
Take photos and video of all damage before you move or toss one thing. Most people rush this step. Rushing it costs claim money. Use our photo checklist.
List hurt items as you go. Note what each thing is, how old it is, and what it cost. Save receipts for all you buy to clean up.
Day 2 to 3: Stop More Harm
Your policy wants you to stop worse harm. Tarp torn roofs. Board burst windows. Shut water to burst pipes. Our board-up guide covers the basics. Keep each receipt. Urgent fix costs are often paid back.
Move safe items away from wet spots. Start drying fast. Open windows when the air allows. Run fans. In Alabama heat, mold can start in one to two days. Speed counts.
Also in the First 72 Hours
- Sign up with FEMA if a disaster order covers Mobile County. See our FEMA guide.
- Sign nothing from a door-knock contractor yet. Read our scam guide first.
- Save all: receipts, claim numbers, adjuster names, and each photo with its date.
What Not to Do
- Do not toss hurt items before the adjuster sees them. Photo them first if you must toss them.
- Do not start lasting repairs before the adjuster visits.
- Do not pay any contractor in full up front. Ever.