Tag: storm

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Recovering from Storm Damage

Your home may not be safe to enter so it is best to have one of the rē:network partners take a look at the area. Contact one of our rē:network partners and allow the professionals to handle everything for you. A restoration team will come and dry the areas and remove contents during this time.

They will also work with you and your insurance company to locate a safe place for you to stay if your home is not livable at the time.

 

If you have been notified that your home is safe to enter, you can follow these steps to prevent further damage to your home.

Use caution when walking on a wet surface to avoid injury or damage to contents/structure.

Remove valuable objects to a safe, dry place

Take pictures of damaged areas

Remove excess water by mopping and blotting

Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions

Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture to reduce furniture damage from wet carpet.

Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer

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Storm Damage Restoration-Completing the Restoration

Step 3-Complete the Restoration

Upon your approval, a rē:network  partner  will complete the required water damage repair and restoration. This may be a long process depending on the extent of the damage, but a quality restoration company will give you an estimate for the length of the project. If a project exceeds the estimate, you will be informed of the change and the cause for delay so that you can make appropriate arrangements.

Again, a qualified restoration team will keep you fully informed throughout the process, limiting the disruption to your life and the time required to get back to normal.

Dealing with water damage in your home can seem overwhelming and the idea that you might lose your home or belongings can be devastating. However, if you hire an experienced, reputable restoration company such as a rē:network partner, to complete the water damage repairs, you will increase both the amount of your possessions.

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Storm Damage Restoration-Create a Plan of Action

Step 2- Create a Plan of Action

Once the thorough survey and inspection is completed,  a rē:network partner will work with you to create a response plan. The team should go over all the damage uncovered in the inspection and give you all options regarding repairing the damage. Some repairs may be optional, but often you will need to decide whether to repair something or replace it.

While disposing of any of your damaged belongings may be unthinkable, the effort and cost of restoration can be very high. A rē:network partner will equip you to make those tough decisions and move ahead in your return to normalcy.

 

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During a Storm-Safety at Home

If you have access, these resources can be very helpful during a storm.

  • http://www.weather.gov — you can access forecasts and warnings by simply typing in your zip code. Click on the Weather Safety tab to find a collection of resources from the National Weather Service.
  • NOAA Weather Radio — All warnings and watches are issued by the National Weather Service and you can have immediate access for $20.
  • You can program the radio to alert you for your county and the adjacent counties for a bit more lead time on weather headed your way.
  • Local Alerts — Many local TV and radio stations now provide alerts on social media.

If you need to prepare for evacuation–move items to a safe area and secure the home.

Turn off utilities and unplug electrical appliances.

 

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During a Storm-Evacuating

 

If you have to evacuate, do not drive around a barricade–Turn Around, Don’t Drown and go the other way.

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and stalling.

If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.

 

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Storm Damage Restoration-Evaluating the Damage

The Process of Storm Damage Restoration 

No one likes to imagine destruction to their home or belongings. However, disaster can strike at any moment and knowing the process will help you during this time.

Rather than despairing over how you can pick up all the pieces, you need to look for a company that provides complete water damage restoration. A qualified, reputable restoration team from rē:network will return your home and life back to normal.  Contact one of our rē:network partners and allow the professionals to handle everything for you.

Step 1 -Evaluate the Damage

When you first hire a company for water damage repair, they will send qualified inspectors to your home to survey the damage. They will not only look for visible damage to your home and belongings, but will also closely and thoroughly inspect the structure to determine its stability and safety. A quick run-through will never be sufficient, so don’t trust a company that recommends extensive repairs without a thorough inspection.

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What documents will I need to find or replace?

Here is a list of important documents that you will need to have replaced or restored if they have been lost or damaged. It is best to keep copies of items like this in an off-site location (safe deposit box, lawyer’s office, etc.) to make that process easier.

Contact one of our partners and allow the professionals to help you with this list.

-Animal Registrations

-Auto Titles / Registrations

-Birth Certificates / Adoption Decrees

-Citizenship Papers

-Credit & Debit Card Copies (front and back)

-Death Certificates

-Deeds & Titles

-Divorce Decrees

-Drivers Licenses

-Income Tax Records

-Insurance Policies

-Marriage Licenses

-Medical Records

-Military Discharge Papers

-Passports

-School Records/Transcripts

-Social Security Cards

-Stocks & Bonds

-Warranties

-Wills

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Before a Storm-Emergency Kit

Create a disaster kit which may include:

Water, non-perishable food, battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit,whistle, moist towelettes,wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, cell phone with chargers

Infant formula and diapers

Home Inventory list-Important documents (insurance policies, certificates and bank records etc.) in a waterproof container

Cash or traveler’s checks

Warm blanket

Change of clothing/shoes

 

Photo Credit: WallPress

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Before a Storm-Pay Attention

 

Pay Attention-The first and best defense in the event of severe weather is awareness.  There are many options for staying up to date on developing weather situations. If flooding threatens, follow weather and news reports so you know how much danger you’re facing. Obey evacuation orders from local authorities.

  • http://www.weather.gov — you can access forecasts and warnings by simply typing in your zip code. Click on the Weather Safety tab to find a collection of resources from the National Weather Service.
  • NOAA Weather Radio — All warnings and watches are issued by the National Weather Service and you can have immediate access for as little as $20.
  • You can program the radio to alert you for your county and the adjacent counties for a bit more lead time on weather headed your way.
  • Local Alerts — Many local TV and radio stations now provide alerts on social media.

There are more tips for identifying your storm and flood risk and preparing for floods at:

http://www.disastersafety.org/disastersafety/national-flood-safety-awareness-week/

http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/what_causes_flooding.jsp

 

Photo Credit: WallPress

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Before a Storm-Create a Plan and Prepare

Create a Plan– Become familiar with your community’s disaster preparedness plans and create a personal plan for your family. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.

If you have questions about how to prepare your home contact one of our rē:network partners.

Prepare your house by clearing debris from gutters and spouts, raise electrical components 12 inches above the projected flood level, place your furnace, water heater, and washer and dryer on cement blocks 12 inches above the projected flood level and move furniture and other valuable items to a safe place.