Handling Storm Damage: Steps To Take Before The Pros Arrive

9/4/2024 (Permalink)

Storms can wreak havoc on your Bloomville property, leaving you overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. While professional help is often necessary to fully restore your home, there are crucial steps you can take immediately after the storm to ensure your safety, minimize damage, and facilitate a smoother recovery process. 

What Can I Do To Mitigate Storm Damage While I Wait For The Professionals?

Dealing with storm damage can be stressful, but immediate actions can make a significant difference. By taking proactive steps, you can protect your home, ensure your safety, and expedite recovery. Remember, while the professionals are there to assist, your efforts are instrumental in restoring your home.

Here’s a guide on what to do before the professionals arrive.

Ensure Safety First

Assess for Immediate Danger

• Check for Hazards: Look for downed power lines, gas leaks, and standing water. If you smell gas or see wires on the ground, evacuate the area immediately and contact emergency services.
• Structural Damage: Inspect your home for signs of structural damage. Cracks in the foundation, sagging roofs, or walls that appear to be leaning can indicate serious issues that need immediate attention.

Avoid Potential Risks

• Turn Off Utilities: If safe, turn off electricity, gas, and water to prevent further damage or potential accidents.
• Stay Informed: Follow local news and weather reports to stay aware of any ongoing dangers or further storm activity.

Document the Damage

Take Photos and Videos

• Record Everything: Thoroughly document all visible damage to your property, inside and out; this includes broken windows, damaged roofs, fallen trees, and water damage.
• Detail is Key: Capture multiple angles and close-ups of the damage to provide clear evidence for insurance claims.

Keep Notes

• Create a List: Make a detailed list of damaged items, including furniture, electronics, and personal belongings. Note the approximate value and any relevant details about each item.

Prevent Further Damage

Temporary Repairs

• Cover Openings: Use tarps, plywood, or plastic sheeting to cover broken windows, holes in the roof, and any other openings to protect your home from further exposure to the elements.
• Clear Debris: Safely remove fallen branches, leaves, and debris from your property to prevent additional damage or hazards.

Water Mitigation

• Dry Out Water: If you have water intrusion, use buckets, towels, and mops to remove standing water. Set up fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out the affected areas.
• Prevent Mold: Mold can develop quickly in damp environments. Keep the area as dry as possible and remove any wet items that cannot be thoroughly dried.

Contact Your Insurance Company

File a Claim

• Report the Damage: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process. Provide them with the documentation you’ve collected, including photos, videos, and your damage list.
• Understand Your Coverage: Ask your insurer about what is covered under your policy and any steps you need to take to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.

Stay Organized

• Keep Records: Maintain a log of all communications with your insurance company, including dates, times, and the names of the representatives you speak with.
• Save Receipts: Keep receipts for any expenses related to temporary repairs, lodging, and other storm-related costs. Your policy may reimburse these.

Seek Professional Help: Hire Qualified Restoration Professionals

• Do Your Research: Look for licensed and insured restoration service providers with good reputations and experience in storm damage repair. Ask for references and check online reviews. When hiring a restoration professional, getting written estimates from multiple contractors is important before deciding. Ensure the scope of work is clearly outlined in the contract.
• Get Estimates: Obtain written estimates from multiple contractors before making a decision. Ensure the scope of work is clearly outlined in the contract.

How Can SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties Help Me Get Back To Normal After A Winter Storm?

SERVPRO specializes in storm damage recovery, and we are equipped to handle these events immediately. 

• Our personnel have been trained and have all the necessary training to assist in a storm event. 
• Our team knows what to do; every crew member has experienced a storm event. 
• Our warehouse is well-stocked with equipment that can meet all your needs. 
• The past few decades have seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties Professionals to restore your Bloomville property to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.

Cleaning up after a significant weather event can be challenging. Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we manage all kinds of damage to your Bloomville home or business so you can get back to normal as soon as possible. We handle storm damage restoration, water damage, and mold remediation and prevention. If you are a Bloomville business owner, check out our commercial restoration services.

This franchise is independently owned and operated.