Steps to Take After Storm Damage

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

A major storm can be devastating. If you experience one or choose to ride it out, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are some suggestions.

Safety First

Is everyone safe? If anyone needs medical attention, call 911. If not, carefully and slowly assess the home and grounds for broken glass, splintered wood, exposed nails, or anything else that can cause injuries. Be very careful moving anything, wearing work gloves if possible. Shut off all gas valves if you smell gas. If you see a power line down, stay far from it and report it to the police or your power company.

Record the Damage

Take photographs of the damage for two purposes. First, it helps you show your insurance company and restoration company the extent of the damage. Second, it helps you contemplate the damage after you leave the building. 

Here are a few things you may want to focus your photography on:

• Damaged windows and doors
• Roof damage - tree limbs and other debris, standing water, damage to tiles or shingles, gutters and downspouts
• Damage to HVAC components such as exterior heat pumps
• Basement flooding
• Water intrusion in the attic/ wet insulation
• Damage to exterior siding
• Burn marks that may have been caused by water infiltrating electrical outlets or cords, or by downed power lines
• Damage to computers, printers, televisions, speakers or other electronic equipment

Call Your Insurance Company

As soon as you can, call your insurance company or agent and tell them all you can about the damage. Tell them you have photos that you can send them. They will send out an adjuster to assess the damages. Read your policy and ask questions about what is covered and the timeframe of your compensation. Remember that storm damage is covered by most residential and commercial insurance policies but flood insurance is a separate policy. They can also give you contact information for trusted contractors and help you avoid unscrupulous ones. Your insurance company can tell you if any aspect of your damage is covered by federal emergency aid programs as well. Keep any receipts related to the storm damage so that you can seek reimbursement. 

Avoid Further Damages

To avoid storm damage getting worse, remove vulnerable items (especially electronics, wood furniture, etc.) from standing water and put them somewhere they’re more likely to dry out quickly. Hang up rugs. Carpets with extensive water damage will probably need to be replaced. As soon as you can, call a water clean-up and restoration company. They have special equipment, experience and methods to stop further damage and begin the restoration process immediately. 

If your Aiken home or business has suffered storm damage, call SERVPRO of Aiken. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your and get everything back to like-new condition.