(assuming all water is out of your house...)

Start by photographing everything in the interior of your house. The more photos the better. Do this first so that you are sure you have what you need later to document your damage.

Then, begin by removing all furniture and items that need to be removed from the house. Start at the front door and work your way further into the house to minimize people bumping into each other as they haul things out. Think of it this way - we want you to have the easiest and fastest time removing things from the house and working front to back will do this. If you start at the back of the house, you will add to the weight of carpets and flooring in the front part of the house as you move past it.

If the fridge needs to be removed, secure the door with duct tape or something else that is secure. If the contents have spoiled it will keep the smell contained, and it prevents young children from playing inside them. Do not leave a refrigerator outside without securing the door.

If gas appliances need to be removed, shut off the service valve at the appliance, even if you've already turned off the main gas. This keeps the lines clean and prevents leaks if the main valve is opened again. To shut it off, the easiest way to remember is that the lever lines up in the direction of the gas that would be running through it. So, parallel to the pipe is on and perpendicular to the pipe is off.

As you haul items out, leave items in separate piles: Appliances, Hazardous materials, Electronics, Trees and vegetation, Construction debris and Furniture, and Regular household garbage.

Keep everything you pile up away from fire hydrants, poles, and trees to make it easier for pickup. These items will be going to separate areas for disposal and recycling, and pickup may be delayed if they are all grouped together. This goes a long way at getting things removed from your front yard area when collection takes place.