6 Steps to Take After Storm Damage
Storms are becoming more frequent with climate change. We often receive storm warnings particularly in extreme seasons, but when storm damage does occur it is still a shock, as we usually weather storms quite well. If you have suffered serious roof damage it will impact everything in your house. So once the storm has passed you should swing into action and do your best to mitigate the risk posed to your family. You will be a bit shocked so the best thing to do is to make a checklist now of the correct steps to take following storm damage. Then you will know exactly what to do when a storm strikes, and more importantly, if you are away on business when the storm hits, your family will be able to retrieve the step-by-step list and follow your instructions.
Wherever you live, it is always important to have insurance for the replacement of your home and contents. It never ceases to amaze me when there is a disaster how many people are not insured and can’t afford to rebuild without public help.
TYPES OF STORM DAMAGE IN THE USA
TORNADO AND TWISTERS
Multiple vortex tornados and water spouts occur in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, and midwest states with the most occurring in May. The storm prediction center Alabama has already experienced 55 tornados this year, and activity was greatest in March.
HAIL STORM DAMAGE
In 2018 in the USA 4,610 major hailstorms occurred, causing more than 800 million dollars of property and crop damage. Wyoming gets the most hail followed by Nebraska. The central southern states stretching from Texas to Dakota get many hail storms.
SNOW STORMS
In February 2021 a major ice and snow storm swept across North America, then moving fast both to the South and Midwest. The storm moved as far down as Mexico and caused severe blackouts. The destructive weather caused death and disaster to many.
FIRE STORM DAMAGE
In California, wildfires start in wooded urban areas. These fires get a hold on vegetation like Eucalypts and are often ignited by lightning strikes. In a way, they are a bit like a storm, but often there is nothing to rebuild, and the poor residents lose everything. Some of the residents can’t rebuild as a fire-prone area may become uninsurable. When they can rebuild special fire protection measures are required to keep them safe.
RAIN EVENTS
Hawaii gets the most rain events because it is tropical and mountainous, but because of the volcanic rock structure it all runs off again, 460 inches a year is average.
Houston Texas gets extreme rainfall usually at the end of a cyclone with a maximum of 60.58 brought by hurricane Harvey, hitting Louisiana and Texas in 2017, Harvey led to extreme flooding and over 100 deaths.
When a severe storm occurs, everyone is affected from households to farming communities to public transport hubs everything grinds to a halt, and this impacts the economy. it also affects the mental and physical health of resident who is left with a massive clean up bill. Insurance for your house and contents have never been more important. Before you take out a new policy, check for exclusions. Exclusions can occur if you live on a flood plain, or in the middle of a cyclone area.
If the worst happens and you are hit by a storm there are some important steps to follow, steps to take after storm damage.
6 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER STORM DAMAGE
1. CHECK FOR DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME
* Once the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside. Check for fallen electrical cables, don’t go near them as they can still be live so call the authority, and it may be a while before power is restored.
* If it is dark you will need a powerful flashlight to check for damage.
* If a tree has come done on part of the house, there will be significant damage, check for broken glass and other broken fragments like roof tiles.
* Check the gas line for cracks or breaks that could be dangerous
* Check the garage and the car, if you have had a hail storm the car may be damaged.
* Sometimes the phone reception goes down in a storm, especially in rural areas, check it.
* Look for the cat or other animals that may be frightened or hurt.
* If there have been strong winds, your fence may be down the street.
Take a rough audit of damage that has occurred if the roof has sustained heavy damage call a handyman to install a roof cover or tarpaulin as it will be a while before you get it fixed. If you have a tarpaulin don’t get on the roof yourself, get the expert to do it.
2. CHECK FOR ROOF DAMAGE
If you have roof damage you will soon know, and this is what to look for.
* Check for holes in the roof from inside the house, go up into the roof space and look up, Where tiles are missing you will see daylight.
* Identify any leaks in the roof.
* A metal roof may have blown right off.
* Check to see if the insulation and sarking are damaged.
* Go outside and check to see if the downpipes and gutters are still in situ, if not make a note of it.
* Check wood or woodwork for damage or cracks.
3. CHECK ALL YOUR WINDOWS
* If you have any broken windows seal them over with thick plastic and tape until the glazier can come.
* In severe weather, some window casements leak in old houses, check for water damage.
* Any broken glass should be removed immediately wearing thick gardening gloves to avoid cuts.
* If it is winter and you have no power you will be cold. Light a fuel stove or open fire so that you can heat up food.
4. FIND YOUR INSURANCE POLICY AND CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER
* Take photos of the damage.
* If you have to move out, you will be instructed on the next step to take.
* Your claim damage will be determined quite quickly and then you can proceed.
* If you have to go to a hotel, pick a mid-price one, as you won’t be covered for 5-star luxury accommodation.
* Your insurer will plan and arrange work to be done to your home, fix any small problems yourself.
* Storm damage and disruption are upsetting for children, normalize the situation by sending them back to school the next day.
5. DAMAGE TO PIPES AND PLUMBING
* If a major water pipe is fractured you will need to shut off the mains until it is assessed.
* Check the pipes where they enter the house for damage.
* If you have had really freezing weather or snow, the pipes can freeze causing damage.
6. START MINOR REPAIRS
* The sooner you get back to normal the better, if you can, start minor repairs the next day.
* Start with replacing broken window glass to prevent further damage.
* Make sure that your house is locked as you don’t want looters coming in.
* Remove tree branches and leaf litter broken tiles and other debris from the area.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
When an area is hit by severe storm damage all the major building contractors are booked up really quickly. So the next day it is important to get a couple of quotes, usually, three is suggested, and get the work underway really quickly. You will probably have to get this approved by the Insurance Company first. If you leave the work for a while, damp will get into your house causing mold, and health risks. Termites are attracted to damp wood, so everything needs to be restored to its former state.
Some damage repairs take longer than others, and you will grow tired of living in the hotel/motel and want to return home as soon as possible.
If you have been in a flood, you will be out of your house for quite a long time. If the whole house was inundated with water the reality is, that you may not be able to rebuild in the same place. Alternately you may have to raise the house higher when you do rebuild.
All major storm damage is traumatic for the resident, but knowing how to best handle it will help you to move forward.
A heavy snowstorm can damage structures and bring down tree branches. In some areas, heavy snow may keep you from starting repairs early as you may have to wait until you can dig your house free. It is better not to have big branches hanging over your house as there is always a chance that they will come down and damage the roof or worse.
Keep your gutters clear of leaves and litter so when the heavy rains come your gutters can take the water away unimpeded.
Review and update your insurance policies regularly, discuss them with your broker, to ensure that you are fully covered against all the storms that nature throws at us, keeping you safe from storm damage.