What to do if your home is damaged in a storm
Natural disasters and severe storms can leave a trail of devastation in their wake. When such events occur, people are left to pick up the pieces, and that may involve assessing damage to their homes.
The aftermath of a storm is a difficult time for individuals whose homes were damaged or lost. Knowing what to do in the aftermath of a storm that damaged or destroyed their homes can start victims on the road to recovery that much sooner.
• The first step anyone should take after their home is damaged is to confirm everyone is safe. That includes residents of the home as well as neighbors. Check to ensure elderly residents and neighbors or those with mobility issues made it through the storm safely. A 2011 study published in the journal Medical Anthropology found that the greatest mortality during and immediately after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was among the elderly. The study noted individuals over age 60 accounted for 75% of the bodies found immediately after the storm.
• Assess and document the damage. Once everyone is safe, assess the damage from a reasonable distance. It's necessary to keep your distance because the property may still be vulnerable to further damage, including collapse. If it's safe to do so, you can then begin to document the damage, utilizing a smartphone to take photos and videos of the property. If it's safe to enter the property, take as many photos and videos of the interior of the home as possible, making sure to upload them to cloud storage soon thereafter. Photos and videos taken immediately after a storm can facilitate the claims process with your insurance provider.
• Contact your insurance provider. If conditions allowed for safe assessment and documentation of the damage, contact your insurance provider to report it and begin the claims process. Chances are many others will be contacting the same provider, so it's best to begin the claims process as soon as possible. It also helps to recognize patience will be necessary. Many insurance providers now allow policy holders to file claims through apps on their mobile phones, and doing so can be invaluable if tablets, laptops and other devices were damaged or destroyed during the storm.
• Ask your provider what you can do. Insurance policies may only cover damage that occurred during the storm. Post-storm damage, such as water issues that arise because windows or doors were damaged during the storm, may not be covered. That's why it's a good idea for homeowners and others to call their insurance providers and ask what to do to prevent further, potentially uncovered damage.
• Recognize criminals pose a new threat. The Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages survivors to be cognizant of fraudulent schemes that often arise in the aftermath of a storm. Examples of scams include housing inspectors claiming to represent FEMA, fake offers of local or federal aid and fraudulent building contractors. Always ask for identification and do not work with anyone asking for cash in return for assistance.