The Fifth Step to take AFTER A HURRICANE HITS is to start calling every contractor you can find. If you live in Beaumont, call Houston.  If you live in Houston, call Beaumont.  Or better yet, look north to Lufkin Dallas and Fort Worth, west to Austin or San Antonio After a hurricane, contractors are in extreme demand.

Don't wait to contact the contractor AFTER your insurance company resolves your claim.  If there is a delay in the insurance company resolution, you are just moving yourself to the back of the line. 

You can get an estimate BEFORE the insurance adjuster evaluates your hurricane damage claim.  That estimate can be very useful in negotiating a resolution or settlement with your insurance company. 

You can also RETAIN the contractor to be committed to do your work.  The best way is to offer the contractor something up front - $200-500 so that when you recieve the insurance money or the go ahead to proceed, your contractor will be obligated to start the job.