Recover after a disaster: your first moves

The hours and days right after a disaster are chaotic, and what you do in them shapes how well you recover. Safety comes first, always — but right behind it, documenting everything and getting your claims and communication moving fast is what gets you back on your feet before your customers drift away. A clear first-moves list keeps you from freezing when it counts.

Do this

1. People first: make sure everyone's safe and don't enter an unsafe building — nothing else matters more.
2. Document everything before you clean up: photos and video of all damage, for insurance and disaster-aid claims.
3. Call your insurance agent right away to start the claim, and write down every conversation and claim number.
4. Communicate: tell customers and employees your status and plan — even 'we're closed but coming back' keeps them with you.

First 72 hours after a disaster

• Everyone safe; don't enter an unsafe structure
• Photograph / video ALL damage BEFORE cleaning up or throwing anything out
• Call your insurance agent, open the claim, log claim numbers + who you spoke to
• Keep receipts for every recovery expense (many are reimbursable)
• Tell customers + staff your status and plan (social, text, signage)
• Register for disaster aid if a declaration is made (see the next lesson)