How to Stay Safe After Storm Damage Affects Your Home

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with storm damage to your home is always a difficult experience. Many storms occur at an unexpected time with little notice, which makes it all the more difficult to handle the situation. Before the storm, you should have a safety plan in place. However, many do not think about how to stay safe after storm damage affects their home.

There are certain steps that homeowners can take to ensure the situation is handled properly and the risk of injury after the storm is kept to a minimal level. You can also take measures to minimize the damage to your home, which may make the cleanup and restoration process easier and faster. 

Staying Safe After a Storm

The main priority after a storm damages your home is ensuring your safety and your family’s safety. There are many risks to consider, including but not limited to a collapsing roof, fallen electrical wires that are dangerous, and extreme flooding. 

After ensuring optimal safety by understanding the proper steps to take in the immediate aftermath, you can also take steps to help your neighbors and ensure your home is properly protected from further storm damage. Lastly, you should also start the home cleanup and restoration process by contacting a storm damage restoration company to come out remove water and protect damaged areas of your roof and home. 

Listen to the Radio for Any Advisories

The first thing you want to do after storm damage affects your home is to ensure the storm has passed completely. Ideally, you will have a place inside of your home that is safe, and try your best to remain there until it is safe to venture out. During the storm, the power will likely have gone out, which means watching the news or using your cell phone may not be an option. 

If this is the case, then the best option to hear any advisories and receive updates on the status of the storm is by listening to the radio. Of course, if you are able to use your cell phone or television, then you can likely receive the news through those devices as well. 

Leave Your Home If It Has Sustained Structural Damage

Once you have received word that the storm has passed, then you can check on your home. If there is any structural damage, leave the home until the damage restoration company has an opportunity to restore the property. 

In the immediate aftermath, avoid going near any power lines, electrical wires, or water. If you have elderly neighbors whose homes are damaged and you are safe and in good health, then consider checking on them to see if they need assistance before finding a safe place to go. It is best to avoid driving, if possible. 

Practice Caution When Working on Roofs

The best thing to do after storm damage occurs to your home is to call a storm damage restoration company. They can arrive quickly and start the home restoration process in a safe and effective manner. However, if you do plan to start the initial restoration efforts to prevent further damage to your home, then it is essential to use extra caution. 

If you work on the roof, then be sure to be careful while climbing ladders and do not step on any areas of the roof that seem weak and damaged. Also, avoid tasks that require professional assistance, such as replacing severely damaged parts of the roof yourself.

Cover Leaking Roofs to Prevent Further Water Damage

Although it may become unsafe to do extensive work to your roof, laying a tarp across the damaged part of the roof can be an effective way to prevent further water damage inside of your home. If you do not feel comfortable climbing your roof, then you can call a damage restoration company to start the restoration process quickly. 

You can also start the initial efforts of removing water from your home. If there is standing water inside of your home, you can remove it with buckets, towels, and other household items. Also, be sure to take out wet rugs and any carpet that is damaged beyond repair to reduce the impact of water damage to your flooring. 

Consult with the Storm Damage Experts

If your home has suffered storm damage and you need a fast response from a professional and reliable home restoration company, then get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village. 

We help homeowners in the area who suffered fire damage and water damage restore their homes in a fast and effective manner. We are glad to answer any questions you have on the initial phone call, and we take pride in making the cleanup and restoration process as easy and convenient as possible for homeowners after storm damage occurs.