Here are some tips on how to recover easily from water damage:

1. Before doing anything else, make sure that your house is safe. Time might be of the essence but you should not put yourself in harm's way. Do not enter your house if there is a risk of it caving in. The main circuit breaker panel should have been turned off by now. If you are not sure, do not attempt to enter your house. Water is a good conductor of electricity.

2. Return only to your house if your area has been declared as safe. Additional flooding may occur and might render your efforts futile.

3. Remember to act fast. If you do not act immediately, mold and mildew can form on your house that has been affected by water damage which could lead, not just to bigger problems, but could also be harmful to your health.

4. Shut off gas supply lines as well as your main water line. Check if pipes leading to and from this two are not busted. If you suspect that your gas line is busted, get in touch with authorities as soon as possible. Busted main water line can further add damage.

5. Quickly assess if your house has been badly damaged and is structurally unstable or if it still okay. If you feel that your house had been badly damaged, remove all your valuables and belongings. Look for an alternative place where you could place all of your things as well as where you could stay.

6. Open all windows to allow air to ventilate your house. If your windows are broken, collect all the glass debris and place it outside your house.

7. Take out water that might have remained inside your house.

8. Remove all debris and silt inside your house. This could help you better assess the extent of water damage to your house.

9. Check which of your belongings have sustained extensive water damage.

10. Air-dry all of your clothes outside your house. Do not, however, do this for your other valuables like pictures, paintings and antique books as this could do more harm than good. Water-damaged valuables are better off in the hands of expert conservationist especially if you are not familiar with restoration techniques. Newer books can be air-dried.

11. Check all your water pipes for leaks. Any small leaks can cause further water damage.

12. Inspect your wooden beams, if you have any. Check the spaces between your roof and attic, and ensure that they are still dry. If these areas are wet, dry them out quickly and call a roofer. Wet wood can easily fall prey to termites if they are not treated immediately.

13. Check for any bulges, cracks or warping on your walls. You might need to have a new paint job.

14. Take out leaves that might have gotten stuck in your downspout. Check also if your downspout has been damaged by water.

Do not forget to note down all your observations. This would come especially handy when you get in touch with your insurance provider as well as home-repair contractors.