If your home has been affected by a severe storm, it can certainly be a scary and stressful experience. In some cases, you may have been asked to evacuate the area and aren’t aware of the exact damage yet.
Before you run back and start the repairs, it’s important that you follow the right rules first. Planning and being extra vigilant will help the process go as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Below, we will go over just some of the things you will need to do if you’ve been affected by storm damage.
Want to learn more? Then let’s get started.
Assess safety
No matter what type of damage your home has, it’s crucial that you assess the safety of your property before you step inside. If you’ve been asked to leave, wait until you’ve been given the all-clear. This includes ensuring that any flooding has subsided.
Remember to keep an eye out for power near water, mold, and any other safety hazards that could pose a threat. If you have any children or pets, keep them secure with friends and family before you go and inspect anything.
Document outdoor damage
Once you’ve determined that the property is safe for you to walk around, you can then move on to documenting the damage. Again, it’s best to start with the outside first before it gets difficult to see what exactly has happened.
Take plenty of photos and make sure they show each part of the damage clearly. If you’ve got time to think ahead before the storm has occurred, it can also be wise to take before photos so that you have something to compare to.
Document indoor damage
After the outside has been done, you can move on to the indoors. The same process goes here – take photos and write down notes explaining what has happened.
During this time, also document if anything in your home is missing. In some unfortunate cases, thieves can raid properties while they are left unattended in the storm.
Report and file insurance claims
After the above, it’s time to file your insurance claim. First, contact the appropriate authorities, and inform them of the entire situation.
In most instances, they will ask you to send through the photos and appoint someone to come and take a look at the property. Just be prepared that there is a chance that not everything will be covered.
Many insurance policies will not include flood damage, so you must know what you can claim.
Contact repair professionals
If you have permission from your insurance company, you might also start looking at specific businesses experienced in storm damage repairs, like Woodard Cleaning and Restoration, for example.
They will be able to work with your insurance company so that you get the best possible outcome and have services for emergencies. If you’re planning to compare other companies, read reviews to find someone reliable.
Remove important items
Depending on the storm’s severity, there is a good chance that you will want to secure and take some of your essential items out of the home. Perhaps leave them with a friend or family member, or store them in a secure London storage facility. This could be because you are expecting another wave or because you want them to be safe until the repairs are completed.
Place everything in boxes, and don’t forget to label where they are. You’ll want to be able to set everything back up again quickly, and losing some things could be a nightmare.
Check out these packing tips to get started.
Find alternative living arrangements
Again, if the storm has left your home in a terrible condition, you’re going to need to locate some alternative living arrangements. It could take weeks before your house is back to a livable state.
Depending on where you live and your insurance type, you may be eligible for accommodation, but not always. Speak to family and friends and reach out to your local community for support. There will always be others out there to help if you require it.
Final words
As you can see from the above, there are many different things that you need to do after your home has been affected by storm damage. While it might seem a little overwhelming, by breaking down the process into steps, you will be able to get through it.
Just remember to be safe, always follow the local government’s advice, and never try to tackle a job that requires previous experience. Some things are better left to the professionals.
