Photograph or videotape all damage you can find, both inside and out.

Secure your home as best you can. Make temporary repairs to limit further damage to your home or possessions. Keep all receipts for any materials used to effect repairs.

Remove broken branches from your house carefully. They may be heavier than you think. Do not climb a tree to remove a broken branch. Leave that job for a professional.

Be careful making temporary roof repairs. The roof may still be slick after the storm and high winds can loosen shingles and make them slip underfoot. For second story roof repairs or repairs to steeply pitched roofs, call a professional.

If you are using temporary tarps to effect a roof repair, hold the tarp in place with with 1x4 wood strips. Roll one end of the tarp at least twice around a long 1x4, then screw it to the undamaged side of the roof. The 1x4 "roll" should be against the roof so it won't collect water and debris. The rest of the tarp goes over the ridge and down the other side of the roof several feet beyond the damage. Then roll the opposite end of the tarp around another 1x4 and screw it to the roof sheathing, roll side down. Use more 1x4s and screws to hold down the tarp's sides. They don't have to be rolled in the tarp. 

If in doubt, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be of assistance through Operation Blue Roof. If your county has been declared part of a Federally designated disaster area, Operation Blue Roof may provide tarps and the labor necessary to install them free-of-charge. More information can be found here.

To the extent possibe, remove window shutters or plywood panels as soon as possible. Not only does it make living in the house more pleasant, but it makes it possible for emergency personnel to get into the house if necessary. It also make it more difficult for looters to operate inside the house unseen.

Store all window shutters or plywood panels neatly in a covered, dry place elevated off the ground. Chances are you'll need them again. Make sure to keep all nuts, lag bolts, and fender washers in a coffee can or plastic storage container.

Yard debris pickup will almost certainly be delayed. Pile all yard debris up neatly as near the normal pick-up spot as possible. Keep yard debris out of the road or street, as this might impede emergency vehicles. Do not burn yard debris.

If your power is out, report the outage to your power company. Do not assume the the power company is aware of all outages.

Use battery powered flashlights and lamps for illumination if the power is out. Do not use candles or kerosene lamps due to the danger of fire. Under no circumstances leave a candle or lamp burning unattended. 

If you are using a generator, the generator must remain outside. Exhaust gases contain poisonous levels of carbon monoxide.

Use a heavy gauge extension cord to transmit power from the generator to the house. The heavier the cable the better. Do not overload the generator or the extension cord your are using. Overloading the cable will cause it to get hot, and possibly cause a fire.

Do not attach the extension cord to your home's electrical system.