The appropriate cleaning of your hurricane damaged possessions and home depends on a number of factors. Was the water that entered your home contaminated or clean? Did the water "flood" into your home or did it enter from the torrential rains? Did the water bring mud, silt or other organic material into your home? According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, Falling

The idea of leaving your home flooded after the storm has passed may seem out of place in light of the damages that water causes when left in a home. After floodwaters drop below ground level people generally want to begin the cleanup of their homes as quickly as possible. This is of course to prevent additional deterioration and salvage as many things as possible. Generally, this is the correct response. There are some situations where recovery should be delayed. If you have