What to Do After Storm Damage
We’re in the thick of severe weather season, so it’s important to know the steps you should take if a storm damages your property.
1. Keep Yourself and Others Safe
If there is a power line down, stay away from it and call your utility company right away. If you think you have structural damage, don’t attempt to assess it yourself. Call a reputable contractor.
2. What to Look For
When checking your home’s exterior after a storm, look for missing roof tiles, damaged siding and gutters, debris in your yard, broken fencing, dents in your air conditioning unit, and downed power lines. When checking your home’s interior, look for water stains on the ceilings and walls, crumbling or cracks in the drywall, and standing water. Don’t forget to check your attic for damage as well.
3. Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after sustaining storm damage. They may or may not refer you to a restoration contractor. If not, do your research before calling any contractor. Pick one that will work directly with your insurance company to make navigating the claims process as easy as possible.
4. Document the Damage
Take photos and write a detailed account of anything damaged.
5. Keep All Belongings
Don’t throw away any items damaged in the storm, whether they’re inside your home or outside. You can include these in your insurance claim. If damaged items can be cleaned and repaired, your restoration company will utilize their contents cleaning services to restore them.
6. Store Belongings
If necessary, remove belongings from your home and store them somewhere safe until repairs are made and your home is secure again.
7. Save Receipts
Keep receipts for any money you spend related to the storm damage. Your insurance company will need these later.
Other Tips
If you are not insured, contact community groups for aid and assistance. For disaster relief in the case of a tornado or flood, contact one of the organizations below:
- Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
- Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS
- FEMA: 1-800-621-3362
- United Way: 211
