After The Storm

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be a devastating and life altering experience. The first days proceeding a major storm can leave a homeowner overwhelmed and perplexed about what to do next. Some careful and calculated planning will help you and your family return to normal as soon as possible.

Safety Concerns

Regardless of if your home was flooded, hit by torrential wind or was the casualty of an electrical storm, the end result is still dangerous. Electricity can be conducted into standing water and mold will most certainly be an issue. Until a thorough evaluation by a qualified person can be conducted, it’s best to avoid the site altogether. If it all possible, consider staying with relatives or at a hotel or a shelter.  Make sure to bring a weeks’ worth of clothing and supplies. Your home should be professionally inspected prior to returning.

Government assistance

Often times after a major storm, FEMA will make provisions for those affected by major storm damage. This includes help with housing, meals, home repairs and assistance with filing insurance claims. For more information contact your local FEMA representative.

Documentation

Make sure to document as much as possible about the storm and the damage to your home, especially if your home owners insurance policy is more specific about the type of damage it will cover. Take as many photos as possible and note any major issues such as mold, exposed power lines and crumbling walls. This will all come in handy when filing a claim with your insurance company.

Filing a claim

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. A claims representative should be assigned to you. Work with him to initiate repairs. This process can sometimes drag on for several months, but generally speaking, most policies will pay for the damage after your deductible has been paid. More often than not, homeowners policies do not cover flooding. If your home has been flooded, you need to contact your flood insurance provider. If you do not have flood insurance, you will have to pay for your repairs out of pocket. If you live in an area where flooding is a potential, consider purchasing a flood insurance policy.

Contact SERVPRO of Helena & Great Falls 

As water and storm damage specialists, we have the experience and advanced training that enables us to restore your property quickly. We use scientific drying principles and provide validation and documentation that your property is dry and the job is complete. 406-458-6008