Texas Disaster Resource Center Potter County Last updated October 3, 2026

What Should You Photograph for Home Insurance After Wildfire Damage in Potter County, TX?

Federal records show a wildfire incident period of May 17, 2026 to May 20, 2026 for Potter County, TX, according to the FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summary. The declaration is FM-5634-TX, titled STINKY FIRE. If your home or business in Amarillo or elsewhere in the county was damaged, the photos and records you keep now can shape how much your insurance company pays.

Wildfire burning across dry grassland near homes

Should I photograph wildfire damage before I clean up in Potter County?

Yes. Photograph and video every damaged room, structure and item before you move, wash or throw anything away, and only enter areas that are safe. Keep receipts for emergency cleanup, repairs and temporary housing from day one.

What to do if your Potter County wildfire claim was underpaid or denied

Start with the paperwork. Fire is a covered peril on a standard homeowners policy, so a flat denial of a fire loss deserves a hard look. More often the dispute is about the amount: a low estimate, rooms left out, or belongings missing from the list. Ask the insurance company for its estimate and for the reasons behind any denial or partial denial, in writing.

Compare their numbers to your records. Lay the estimate next to your photos, video and inventory. Every room, item or repair they skipped is a gap, and your own evidence is what closes it. Our guide on how to deal with the insurance company adjuster explains what to expect in that back and forth.

Hold off on final paperwork. Before you sign anything that calls the claim settled, make sure every damaged item and repair has been counted.

What to photograph and record after wildfire damage in Potter County

The documentation gap is where claims go wrong. The insurance company adjuster sees your property once, after the damage. You are the one who has to prove what was there before and what it will cost to replace. Build that proof now, in this order:

Wide shots first: every side of the structure, then each room from every corner.
Close-ups: heat, soot, smoke and fire damage on walls, ceilings, windows, flooring, roofing and HVAC, with an object in frame for scale.
A narrated video walk-through: say the room and what you see as you go.
A contents inventory: item, age, where you bought it and replacement cost, using old photos, receipts and cloud backups.
Living and cleanup costs: receipts with dates for hotels, meals, mileage and emergency work.
A paper trail: claim number, names, dates, call notes and emails.

Do not discard damaged items before they are photographed and, where safe, shown to the adjuster. If the whole home is gone, the inventory matters even more, and our total loss claim tips cover that situation.

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Deadlines and reopening a wildfire claim in Potter County, TX

Your policy sets the clock. It controls when you must report the loss and when you must submit proof of loss, and letters from the insurance company may add their own dates. We do not state one deadline here because they vary by policy, so read the notices you receive and calendar every date in them.

Treat the federal dates as a reference only. The incident period of May 17, 2026 to May 20, 2026 on declaration FM-5634-TX describes the event. Your claim is tied to your policy and your own loss.

Found more damage later? Smoke and heat damage can show up after the first inspection. Send the new damage in writing with dated photos, ask the insurance company how it handles added items, and keep copies of everything you send.

How a public adjuster helps close the documentation gap on a wildfire claim

You get someone on your side. ClaimsMate’s licensed public adjusters represent the policyholder, never the insurance company. After a loss, they document structural damage and personal property losses, then prepare and organize the claim so the evidence is in one place.

The estimate gets tested. They review the policy’s coverage for your claim, evaluate the scope and cost of the covered damage, and communicate and negotiate with the insurance company. If the claim is disputed, underpaid or denied, they help with that too.

Local help is available. See our page for Amarillo public adjusters, or read about fire damage insurance claims. For a free consultation, use Find a Public Adjuster or call (877) 202-0204.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the federal wildfire declaration mean my insurance claim is approved?

No. FM-5634-TX is a federal record of the incident in Potter County. Your claim is decided under your own policy, based on your policy terms and the proof of your loss.

How do I prove what I owned if my belongings were destroyed?

Go room by room and list each item with its age and replacement cost. Back the list with receipts, bank and card statements, old photos, social media posts and cloud backups. Even partial proof beats a list from memory alone.

Should I keep receipts for a hotel and meals after a wildfire?

Yes. Keep every dated receipt for lodging, food, mileage and emergency cleanup. What your policy pays depends on its terms, but without receipts you cannot ask for reimbursement.

Can I add damage to my wildfire claim after the adjuster visits?

Often, yes. Send the new damage in writing with dated photos and ask how the insurance company handles added items. Your policy’s deadlines still apply, so do not wait.

Final Word: Wildfire Damage in Potter County Is Decided by Your Evidence

Fire is covered under a standard homeowners policy, but covered does not mean paid in full. The gap between what you lost and what the insurance company counts is usually a gap in proof, so photograph, list and save receipts before anything is cleaned up or thrown out.

Contact ClaimsMate for wildfire insurance claim issues. ClaimsMate’s expert and licensed public adjusters document structural damage and personal property losses and negotiate with the insurance company. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.