How to Manage Storm Damage Before Professional Help Arrives

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

If your home was recently hit by a severe storm, it is of the utmost importance that you keep you and your family safe until proper help arrives. You could be dealing with wind, water, or storm damage caused by a multitude of different factors. Here are some tips you can follow if you are not in immediate danger and if the damage that was caused is manageable.

Practicing Precaution:

• Do not enter your home or the building until a professional has cleared it if you believe that it has been structurally damaged or if there is flood risk remains. For the time being, find somewhere else to take shelter and do not go outside until it is safe enough to do so. Do not drive unless it is absolutely necessary. Pay attention to the radio for advisories.
• Do not go anywhere near downed power lines or any standing water or metal objects near these downed wires. Stay away from damaged trees, and do not swim in floodwaters.
• Avoid using open flames, especially indoors. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• Once the worst has passed, assess any and all damage that your home or building has received. Inspect every part of your home for possible destruction, from missing shingles to bent exhaust pipes.

Cleaning Up Your Home:

• Do not climb onto your roof unless the building has been deemed structurally sound, and still practice precaution when climbing and working at tall heights.
• If using a chainsaw to cut trees or branches, be careful where you are cutting them down to ensure they do not cause any more damage when they fall.
• Remove any wet material, such as rugs or carpets, and properly dry them out to prevent mold from growing and doing more harm to your house. Dry your home by opening any and all windows and doors, it is also beneficial to have fans running.
• If it is more serious flooding, you are at risk for mold within the first 24 hours of a flood, so it is vital to remove the water as soon as possible and start remediation. Flooding poses a risk to drywall, support beams, and foundations. Flood water also contains dangerous contaminants and sewage and must be avoided.
• Keep track of everything that was destroyed or damaged in the storm by documenting it through photos or videos along with putting together a list of broken items. You will need this list for insurance purposes.

Even if you want to take a proactive part in restoring your house after a storm, it is better to be safe and contact a restoration company like SERVPRO of North Nashville as soon as possible. The sooner you call us, the higher chance your house can be properly restored after a strong storm. Here at SERVPRO, we only wish for your safety and we would not want you to endanger yourself trying to clean it all up without professional help. We are professionals with years of experience and we are more than happy to help with any and all storm damage.