As of Sept. 24, over 17,000 insured vehicles in Texas sustained damage during Tropical Depression Imelda and the tally is expected to continue climbing as more insurance claims are filed, said Mark Hanna, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas. In Harris County alone, close to 2,000 homes were reported damaged as of Sept. 23 at the start of the county damage assessment process. Residents are now tasked with navigating the flood insurance claims process, applying for financial assistance for the uninsured or considering purchasing a policy ahead of the next storm. "It's just been happening so often in Southeast Texas," Hanna said. "If you can afford it, flood insurance is one of the least expensive insurance products out there." Here are four things to know about recovering from flood damage and preparing for the future.