I am so sorry for the devastation you are now facing. As a Florida resident and a survivor of multiple hurricanes, I am going to offer some unsolicited advice.
1). Ignore lots of dumb advice and go with your gut.
2). Get the good contractor first...you can argue with your insurance company later.
3). Avoid the drive-by contractors. You will have to live with the results of crappy work for years.
4). Don't think that your insuance company is your friend. You will most likely get less than enough to cover your costs. Band together with your neighbors and get legal help if necessary to be all up in their business.
5). Everything will take time to get repaired. (It took months after the four hurricanes of '04 to get homes repaired.)
6). Don't assume that the government will fix things after the storm. All of those people who were so interested in helping you will lose interest.
7). Expect your insurance to be raised astronomically. Here in Florida our insurance cost rose over 500% over two years. Often, you lose your insurance company.
8). Finally, and most importantly, you are going to run into the biggest problem...having a check to fix your home and no one to do the work.
What is so devastating for those of you in the northeast is the difference in the economic times. Our 2004 hurricanes came during great prosperity. We had money in our pockets. Definitely not the same time and money is not flowing. Keep your chin up. Although it will take time, you will rebuild.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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