TIPS: What to do after a flood with FEMA assistance

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It smells. It's wet.

So, people threw out their furniture and electronics. There are piles and piles of trash along Hearthstone streets.

But, wait. Did you take pictures of what you lost?

Claiming you lost something in the flood is not always good enough for the National Flood Insurance Program or NFIP. Also, it doesn't mean you will get the money to replace it.

Glenn Wilson's home in Hearthstone flooded in 2009 and again on Monday. In that flood, Wilson had to pay $9,000 out of his own pocket. This time, he's trying to prevent that.

Here's what you can do:

* Take pictures of what you lost. That means everything. From your wooden floor to your computer.

* Get pictures before you take belongings out of your house.

* Show how the damage happened.

* Don't forget to take pictures of serial numbers.

Historic flooding across southeast Texas