What to do AFTER a Big Storm!
Hurricane Ian recently tore through several counties in southwest Florida, with one of the hardest hit being Lee County. The result of this powerful hurricane was widespread flooding and catastrophic storm damage. In its wake, many homeowners are wondering how to recover. In this blog, we’ll address that question. We’ll talk about what to do after a big storm, how to repair storm damage in your home, when to work with a restoration company for water extraction, and more.
Let’s dive in.
What to do After a Big Storm: Our 5 Top Tips
Take these steps to restore your home after a big storm:
1. Pay attention to all local storm updates
If you evacuated your home, wait for the all-clear from local officials before you re-enter.
You should only go back to your home after authorities have cleared the area or approved it for re-entry. Once you receive instructions that it is okay to return to your property, check in with local news stations for further storm updates.
As you re-enter your home, follow these safety tips:
Avoid areas of standing water, especially those that are deep or near sources of electrical charge. Standing water can be dangerous and may contain hazardous pathogens.
Do not enter your home if it is not structurally sound. If the storm damage caused significant portions of your home to wash away or if you hear shifting or creaking noises, avoid the building.
Follow boil-water advisories and use bottled water to cook, brush your teeth, and wash dishes.
2. Take precautions as you begin cleanup
Once you re-enter your home, it’s normal to want to start cleaning up as soon as possible. Before you do, though, it’s essential to protect yourself and those in your family.
Kids, seniors, and anyone with asthma or other lung conditions should not participate in the water cleanup process.
Additionally, you should wear protective clothing and face coverings as you clean up the storm damage. Contact a professional restoration company immediately if you notice signs of mold or mildew.
3. Be strategic about the repairs you make
As you clean up and repair the damage, take as many photos of the affected areas as possible. These photos will be helpful when you file an insurance claim and will make it easier to secure the payout you need.
If you decide to rebuild or repair parts of your home, consider adding storm-proof features that will protect your home from future hurricanes.
Simple additions like hurricane shutters or windows, reinforced garage doors, or hurricane-rated roofs can all go a long way toward preventing future damage.
Additionally, pay attention to the landscaping around your home. It may be wise to cut down nearby trees that could come down in strong winds.
4. Secure your property during cleanup
After a big storm, your home may be missing doors and windows. As you repair these things, make sure to secure your property to prevent looting, theft, and additional damage by the elements.
We recommend nailing sheets of plywood over missing Windows or doors and installing security cameras that will allow you to monitor your property during cleanup and repair.
5. Always work with a qualified restoration company
Cleaning up after a big storm is a huge job. Although there are parts of it that you can DIY, there are other parts that require the help of a skilled professional.
Water extraction and mold removal, for example, are virtually impossible to DIY. And unless you do them properly at the outset, you could risk further damage down the road – like extensive mold growth or health risks for your family.
With this in mind, contact a restoration company like Remediation 911 as soon as you assess the storm damage to your home.
The restoration company professionals will assist in your cleanup efforts and provide professional, industrial-grade water extraction, drying, sanitization, and more, all of which can help restore your property to its original condition.
Caring For Yourself After A Big Storm
In addition to caring for your home and your property, you’ll need to take care of yourself and your family after the big storm.
The experience of living through a hurricane can be frightening and traumatic, and it can take a toll on your mental health. If you’ve noticed difficulty sleeping or flashbacks of the storm event, reach out for support.
Look for support groups or mental health counselors in your area, or reach out to talk to a close friend or family member. As you navigate the cleanup process, make sure that you take breaks to think about other things.
The process of restoring a home after a big storm can be overwhelming, and it’s critical to continue making space for the things you enjoy in your life.
If you find the cleanup process entirely overwhelming, consider outsourcing it to a restoration company.
While many people want to see the damage to their homes firsthand, trusting a restoration company to come in and clean up for you can free up time and energy that you would have otherwise spent packing out soaked household goods.
When you work with an experienced Restoration company, the team will keep you in the loop at every phase of cleanup and will make sure that items are not discarded against your will.
Remediation 911: Your Source For Clean-Up And Support After A Big Storm
Whether your home suffered damage during Hurricane Ian or needs water extraction due to flooding from a burst pipe, we are here for you. At Remediation 911, we specialize in storm damage cleanup and restoration for homeowners in the Palm Beach County and Lee County areas.
Regardless of whether the job is large or small, our experienced and highly trained restoration technicians will utilize professional-grade equipment and industry-leading tactics to remove water, dry and dehumidify affected areas, and clean up all traces of mold and mildew.
The result is a home that looks and feels good, and that is safe for you and your family once more. Don’t navigate water extraction or storm damage cleanup on your own. Contact the team at Remediation 911 for the professional support you need.