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The Storm Folder: what to gather, in one place

After a hurricane, every office asks for the same papers. Pick what happened to you, check things off, and keep it all in one folder. FEMA, your insurer, food aid and your taxes will all want it.

Call (727) 300-1676 Back to the storm page

Where things stand (Oct 15, 2026): a federal emergency has been declared for 27 counties, and the IRS has moved most tax deadlines there to Feb 8, 2027. If you already get SNAP in one of 14 Panhandle and Big Bend counties, you can ask for replacement food benefits until Oct 19. FEMA aid for homeowners and food aid for disaster survivors (D-SNAP) are not open yet. Gather this now so you can apply the day they open. The storm page shows the latest.

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What happened to you?

Tick everything that fits. Nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere unless you choose “Help me keep track of this.”

My home, car or belongings were damaged I lost food, or need food help I lost work or income

Everyone start here

Almost every form asks for these.

Photo ID for every adult in the householdDriver license, passport or other government ID.
Proof of where you liveA recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement or tax bill with your address on it.
Social Security numbers for the householdHave them written down to give by phone or on an official form. Never send them by regular email or text.
A phone number and email where we can reach youPhones may be down. Add a friend or relative's number too.
Bank name and your account for direct depositAid is faster by direct deposit than by mail.

Home, car or belongings damaged

For insurance, FEMA and any federal loss claim.

Photos and video of all damage, taken before you clean upWide shots, then close-ups. Include the outside, the roof, the yard and your car. Do not throw damaged items away until you have photographed them and your insurer has said it is OK.
Your insurance policy and claim numberHomeowners, renters, flood and auto are separate. File a claim with each that applies. Write down the adjuster's name, phone and the date you called.
Mortgage statement, or lease if you rentRenters can have losses too: belongings, food and moving costs.
A list of damaged items with the rough age and costMake it room by room. Receipts, bank statements and photos of the item before the storm all help.
Repair estimates and every receiptTarps, plywood, hauling, cleanup, contractors. Keep the receipts even for small things.
Hotel, rental or other extra living costsKeep receipts for places you stayed and meals you bought because you could not stay home.
Your FEMA application or case numberOnly once individual assistance opens for your county. Keep the number with your other papers.
What you paid for the property, and the yearThis matters for taxes if the loss is large. Closing papers or a past tax bill will show it.

Food and power

For SNAP replacement benefits and D-SNAP.

The date the power went out, and the date it came backWrite it down now while you remember.
A list of the food you threw outNote about what it cost. Photos of full, spoiled freezers are fine if you have them.
If you already get SNAP: your case numberFor Isaias, the deadline to ask for replacement benefits is Monday, Oct 19, through the MyACCESS portal, for SNAP households in Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties. The storm page has the details.
Pay stubs or income proof for the last 30 daysIf food aid for disaster survivors (D-SNAP) opens for your county, income and savings in the days around the storm are what counts.
Bank balances and cash on handYou may be asked about it.
Receipts for storm costs you paidIce, fuel, hotel, repairs and anything else the storm cost you. These can count against your income for D-SNAP.

Lost work or income

For unemployment help and your tax records.

Your last pay stubs, and your employer's name and phoneIf you cannot work because of the storm you may qualify for help.
A note from your employer, or the date work stoppedTexts or emails showing the business was closed work too.
If you are self-employed: invoices, bank deposits and a note of lost jobsGig and 1099 workers can ask about disaster unemployment once a major disaster is declared.
Childcare or school closure notesAnything that kept you from working.

Keep for tax time everyone

Even if you do not file a claim today, keep these.

A folder, paper or phone album, for everything aboveOne place. Photos backed up to the cloud.
Insurance payments and FEMA payments you receiveWrite down the amount and the date of each one. They change how much loss is left to deduct.
Anything you take from a 401(k) or IRAPenalty-free disaster withdrawals need a federal major disaster declaration, which Isaias does not have yet (as of Oct 15). Talk with a tax professional before you take one.
Your 2025 return, if you are thinking about the loss electionFor Isaias, the IRS says people in the 27 counties can choose to claim the loss on last year's return. We can check whether that helps you.

Want to come back to this later?

Need help putting it together?

We help Floridians with storm records and taxes every year. Call us at (727) 300-1676 and we will walk through it with you. Please do not email Social Security numbers.

General information, not tax, legal or insurance advice. Using this checklist does not make you a client. Program rules, deadlines and eligibility are set by FEMA, the State of Florida and your insurer, and can change. Confirm with them. Prepared by FL Tax Experts, St. Petersburg.