Hurricane Florence is quickly approaching the Carolinas. In Greenville, that means our city is under a curfew and heavy winds and rain, expectations ranging from four to six inches but sometimes higher, are what our area will likely see. Your family is likely in high preparation mode, moving outdoor furniture in and preparing for possible lost power and flooded streets. During this time, it’s important to make safety a top priority.
Once the storm passes, thoughts will shift to how to manage any damage, get back to a more normal routine quickly and protect your home and family. While it’s not possible to know exactly what this storm will bring for every family, the experts have provided some great tips that are important to consider during the aftermath of Florence. Let’s review them.
Safety is the Priority
Just like during the storm, safety is the priority afterwards. As you’re inspecting your home and yard, watch for down power lines, fallen trees, larger debris and areas that might be flooded. If you see indications that an area might not be safe, report it to local officials immediately. Do not try to manage problems like this on your own as it could be very dangerous to do so. Move away, call the authorities and wait until they can assess and make repairs.
Protecting Your Home
If as you’re making inspections you notice some damage to your home, consider if there are ways that you can mitigate them. For instance, a tarp placed over a leaky roof might help protect your home from further water damage. A boarded up broken window might prevent wind gusts from causing damage to your home’s interior. While some of these tasks are easy to do on your own, be aware of your limits. If the job is too much to handle alone, call a professional for help.
Prepare for the Adjuster
Any damage to your home might mean that an insurance claim needs to be made and an adjuster must come in. To make this process easier, be prepared. Take pictures of any damage, and keep a list of any items that need repair. Having a checklist helps you to know what you need to talk to your adjuster about, and it ensures that items are not missed during the process. If items are broken, keep the broken pieces until after an adjuster has a chance to take a look at them. Keep track of names and phone numbers for anyone you talk to at the insurance company, as well as any contractors you choose to work with.
Prepare for Next Time
While it’s difficult to think about the next hurricane when this one hasn’t even passed, if you’re making repairs to your home, it’s worth putting a little thought into next time. New home remodeling materials and techniques can help to safeguard your property from strong winds and rain. While some of these things do require a greater upfront investment, the long term pay off can be significant. Talk to your general contractor to get more information and ideas about building smart.
In the next few days and weeks, keep your family safe as you recover from Hurricane Florence. If you need help with home remodeling once the storm has passed, Alair Homes Greenville is here for you. Contact us with questions or to schedule your complimentary consultation.