Hurricanes leave devastating destruction behind that is often widespread. They impact homes, businesses, and entire communities. The hurricane damage that people experience is exponential and often incredibly overwhelming. When you’ve been affected by a hurricane, you need to know the steps to follow, when to bring in professional support, and how you can rebuild and recover. This guide shares all of that and more. Check it out below.
Approach with Safety
Between the wind damage and the water damage, there is a lot to consider for safety. Before you enter a property, wait for clearance from local authorities and professionals who will deem it safe to enter. Some properties may not be safe to enter, so follow their recommendations.
As you go into the property, make sure you are wearing appropriate protective gear. This includes masks, gloves, sturdy protective shoes, and protective clothing. Everything you wear should help prevent you from coming into contact with contaminants or sharp and dangerous debris. Look for any hazards like electrical risks or structural damage.
Assess and Document
Assessing and documenting allows you to evaluate and really understand the extent of your damage. There may be multiple assessment points throughout the process, simply because you cannot always truly understand the full extent of damages at first sight.
From the beginning, document everything. Use photos and videos as well as written documentation. Create an inventory of damaged or lost items. All of this will be useful for insurance purposes, as well as for hiring someone to assist with damage cleanup.
Cleanup and Mitigation
When it’s safe to do so, you can start the cleanup process. We highly recommend hiring a professional company that has experience with hurricane cleanup or at the very least water damage cleanup. You’re going to do these things:
- Remove standing water
- Dry out and dehumidify the space
- Discard unsalvageable items
- Sanitize every space
A professional will have the equipment to work through this entire process and do so efficiently.
Why Hire a Professional Company for Hurricane Damage?
The professionals are certified and trained to handle this kind of situation. They have industrial-strength equipment and they know exactly what steps to take. They often offer comprehensive services that cover everything from water extraction to cleanup and even restoration. You need their expertise to get this done right and get it taken care of quickly.
Following a hurricane, they may be busy, but they should still be responsive and communicative when you call them for help.
Emotional Recovery from Hurricane Damage
Hurricanes cause devastation and loss, which means you have more than just physical repairs to worry about. You need to heal emotionally as well. It’s important to deal with both sides of this. Lean on the available support networks and resources, seek professional counseling to support your mental health needs, and just take it one step at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
You absolutely are not alone in facing hurricane damage. It’s a complex process, but when you lean on the services and professionals around you, it makes it so much easier to navigate the challenges and restore your property so that you can recover and start anew.
