Storm Preparation Essentials: How to Document Your Property Before the Storm Hits

When a major storm hits, your world can flip overnight — shingles in the yard, trees down, ceilings stained.

And when it’s time to file a claim, one of the most powerful tools isn’t a tarp or ladder (Thats what we are here for) — it’s your camera roll.

📸 Why Documenting Before the Storm Matters

In the aftermath, chaos makes it hard to tell what’s old vs. new damage. Insurance adjusters and contractors will ask:

Clear, time-stamped photos and videos = less stress, faster claims.

📝 What to Document (and How)

Your phone is perfect. Cover these four areas:

✅ Exterior

• Sides of your home

• Roof (from the ground)

• Gutters, shutters, fences

• Decks, patios, landscaping

✅ Interior

• Ceilings, walls, floors

• Attic or crawlspace

• HVAC, appliances

✅ Close-Ups

• Skylights, chimneys

• Windows, Garage Doors, Ceilings, Fences

🔐 Pro Tips

📅 Time-stamp and geotag files
🗂️ Organize in a folder (e.g. Storm Docs June 2025)
☁️ Back it up to the cloud

⚠️ Storm Prep: Emergency Kit Checklist

This is also a good time to check and restock your emergency supplies. Because you never know if your husband took all the AAA batteries for his remote to watch the big game. Stock up before the rush.

Essentials include:

🔦 Flashlights + batteries
🚰 1 gal water per person/day
🥫 3-day supply of food
🩹 First-aid kit
🔋 Power banks
🛠️ Manual can opener, tools
📁 Waterproof pouch for IDs & insurance
💵 Cash
🧼 Hygiene items
💊 Meds
🐾 Pet supplies

🧘‍♀️ Preparation = peace of mind.

💽 Backing Up Your Records

Protect your documentation like it’s gold:

• Upload to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)

• Save to an external hard drive in a waterproof/fireproof safe

• Keep printed copies in a safe deposit box

💡 Pro tip: Sync regularly so your info is always current.

Regularly sync your documentation to ensure all copies are up to date. The Red Cross recommends keeping digital copies of important documents as part of your emergency preparedness kit.

For the latest information on storm preparedness, always check reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center. Their expert guidance can help you stay safe and prepared throughout storm season.

🧰 We Can Help After the Storm

At Fox Claims Consultants, we specialize in:

• Pre Storm Inspections

• Post Storm Inspections

• Post Construction Inspections

• Damage Estimates

• Emergency Tarping

• Tree Removal

📍 Don’t wait for disaster. Start documenting today.