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Is It Safe to Enter My Home After a Hurricane?

Last updated October 31, 2026

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The short answer

Assess Exterior Safety First

Never enter your home if you see severe structural damage from the outside. Look for cracks in the foundation, walls, or roof. Check for leaning walls or sagging rooflines. Also, scan the area for downed electrical wires, which can be hidden in standing water or debris. Avoid any water near power lines, as it could be electrified.

Gas leaks are another critical hazard after a storm. If you smell natural gas, which has a rotten egg odor, or hear a hissing sound, leave the area immediately. Do not use any electrical switches, including lights, as a spark could ignite the gas. Call the gas company from a neighbor's house or a mobile phone once you are safely away.

If the exterior looks stable and there are no immediate utility hazards, proceed with extreme caution inside. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and gloves to protect yourself from sharp debris and contaminated water. Use a flashlight, not candles, to avoid fire risk. Be alert for animals, like snakes or rodents, that may have entered your home.

Check for water damage on floors and ceilings. Sagging ceilings or bulging walls can collapse without warning. Avoid rooms where the ceiling is holding pooled water. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate shifting structures. Your priority is a quick visual assessment, not a detailed inspection, so limit your time inside if conditions seem unstable.

  • Wear personal protective equipment like boots, gloves, and an N95 mask.
  • Avoid using electrical systems until an electrician checks them.
  • Document all damage with photos or video for your insurance claim.
  • Assume all floodwater contains sewage, chemicals, or other contaminants.
  • Do not consume food or drinks that touched floodwater.
  • Turn off the main power at the breaker box if it's safe to do so.

Understand Health Risks from Contamination

Floodwater after a hurricane is rarely clean. It often carries sewage, chemicals, and harmful bacteria. Simply touching this water can lead to skin infections or illness. If you have any open cuts or wounds, avoid contact entirely. Any items soaked by floodwater should be handled as contaminated until properly cleaned or discarded.

Mold growth begins quickly in a humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers and cool winters. In Baltimore, damp materials can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. Inhaling mold spores can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with allergies or asthma. If you see or smell mold, limit your exposure and plan for professional assessment and drying.

Secure Your Property After Initial Entry

Once you have determined it's safe to be inside for a short period, take steps to prevent further damage. This is often called "mitigation." Move undamaged valuables to a dry area. If possible, place plastic sheeting over damaged roofs or broken windows to keep more rain out. These actions can help your insurance claim.

Remove standing water if you can do so safely with a pump or wet-dry vacuum. However, do not attempt major water removal if electrical hazards exist. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors to start the drying process. Be aware that drying a home properly requires industrial equipment to prevent hidden moisture and mold.

When to Call for Professional Help

For significant water intrusion, the drying process requires specialized equipment. Local water damage pros have industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry structures properly. They also have tools for moisture mapping to find hidden dampness in walls and floors. Attempting to dry a flooded home yourself often leads to persistent mold and rot.

Structural repairs, like fixing a compromised roof or foundation, require qualified contractors. For mold concerns, a mold assessment professional can test the air and surfaces. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Always prioritize your safety and get a professional opinion when dealing with extensive storm damage, as hidden dangers are common.

  • Call if there is more than a few inches of standing water.
  • Call for any suspected sewage contamination in the water.
  • Call if drywall, insulation, or flooring is soaked.
  • Call if you smell a strong musty odor indicating hidden mold.
  • Call if electrical systems were submerged.
  • Call for any structural concerns about load-bearing walls or beams.

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Call (410) 237-0394 any time, day or night, and describe what happened.

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Frequently asked questions

How long should I wait before going back inside?

Wait until local emergency officials declare your area safe. Never return while floodwaters are still high or if roads are impassable. Your safety depends on conditions being stable, not on a specific amount of time passing after the storm ends.

What should I do if my home smells like gas?

Leave immediately without turning any lights or appliances on or off. Do not use your phone inside the house. Go to a safe location away from the building and call the gas company or 911 to report the leak.

Can I start cleaning up the water myself?

You can remove small amounts of clean water if there are no electrical hazards. For large-scale flooding or contaminated water, professional extraction is safer and more effective. Improper drying leads to mold and deeper structural damage.

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