The aftermath of a flood is often dirty and disheartening. It doesn't have to be all bad. The most important thing is to stay calm, be thoughtful in the recovery process, and always look after yourself and your family relative to safety.

There are some important steps you can take to make the recovery process easier and more productive.

The first thing to note is what not to do:

• Don't punch holes in walls to promote drainage
• Don't pile wet materials on top of one another inside the home
• Don't begin construction without proper insurance and contractor guidance

The Red Cross offers an excellent document on "repairing your flooded home." It explains when and how to re-enter your home after a flood emergency.

There are some important steps you can take, including:

• Remove waterlogged materials, including clothing, furniture, rugs, carpeting, books, files, etc.
• Open windows, doors, crawl space vents and access doors, attic access panels, etc. to permit airflow throughout the house. You should also open interior doors, second floor windows. If your cabinets have been damaged, leave them open until they are dry, too.
• For those items you intend to rehabilitate (salvage), find a wide open space to lay them out to dry. A garage is a good example.
• Non-salvageable material should be moved away from the house to a debris pile.

If there is damage, take note:

If you find damage in your home, make certain you document absolutely everything. Take note not only of the damage, but the time of day, the date, etc. Take photos, or shoot video. Even a mobile phone can take photos that are of sufficient quality. Once you have a complete log, be prepared to hand it over to your insurance agent.

If you decide to hire a contractor, follow guidance in FEMA's Avoiding Fraud in Home and Business Flood Repairs.