Storm Recovery Plan: What to Do After a Storm?

6 min read

When severe storms strike, they can cause significant damage to your home’s structure and put you and your family at risk. The aftermath of these storms can be even more disheartening, especially when dealing with a lengthy storm recovery process.

With proper planning, you can mitigate the damage to your property, prevent the loss of life, and ensure you can effectively recover from such a disaster. A comprehensive storm recovery plan is a critical tool that outlines clear actions and roles to guide you through a storm and promote swift restoration.

To help simplify the storm damage restoration process, we share a sample recovery plan outlining the steps to take before, during, and after a storm.

What is Storm Damage?

Storm damage is a term used to describe the devastation caused to buildings, homes, and outdoor spaces due to extreme weather conditions. These may include hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and other severe weather events. Storms can cause various types of damage, including the following:

• Roof damage encompasses missing shingles, leaks, and collapses due to wind, heavy rain, or debris impact.
• Broken windows, which are caused by flying debris or hail.
• Flooding results fromwater intrusion from heavy rains or storm surges, leading to soaked carpets, damaged furniture, mold growth, and electrical hazards.
• Structural damage refers to damage to property, resultingincompromised foundations or walls due to strong winds or fallen trees.
• Power outages, which can disrupt essential utilities and cause food spoilage.
• Exterior damage refers tosiding, gutters, landscaping, and other external elements torn away or ruined by high winds and heavy precipitation.

Storm Recovery Planning: What to Do Before, During, and After a Severe Storm

Please keep the following information in mind when developing a storm recovery plan. This will help you and your family stay safe during a storm and mitigate the damage to your property for a more efficient rebuilding process:

Before the Storm

1. Review and update your disaster supply kit to ensure you have enough essentials for at least three days without power. If some items are missing, make a trip to the store as soon as possible to beat the rush.
2. Assemble a “go kit” to help you prepare for potential evacuation. Gather essential family papers and identify a safe destination in case you need to evacuate from your home. Pack a Grab & Go Bag with basic needs for your family, like food, water, and medicine if you need to go to a shelter.
3. Fill up your car with gasoline or diesel to ensure you’re ready to leave whenever needed.
4. Visit the bank or ATM to withdraw extra cash. Extended power outages may make accessing cash or using credit cards difficult.
5. If an evacuation advisory has been issued, do not wait. Evacuate promptly to avoid putting yourself, your family, and responders at risk.
6. Secure your property by boarding up windows and sealing them to reduce the risk of shattering glass. Store all outside furniture and objects susceptible to wind damage.
7. If you live near the beach, do not attempt to go near the water and observe the waves. High surf is expected, so it can be dangerous to go near the water.
8. Above all, stay informed by closely monitoring weather broadcasts. Ensure you have a portable radio and tune it to an emergency information station.

During the Storm

1. Bring all pets inside and stay indoors as the storm approaches. Avoid large windows and head to the basement or an inside room if your home is at risk of wind damage.
2. Do not be deceived by sudden calm, as it may be the eye of the storm. This may only last about 15 to 30 minutes, so avoid going out during this time. The storm could resume with increased intensity and wind from the opposite direction.
3. Wait for official weather reports to confirm the storm has passed before going outside.

After the Storm

1. Assess the extent of damage to your home. However, it is still important to prioritize safety, so be wary of structural issues caused by the storm.
2. Stay away from flooded areas and downed power lines. Exercise caution and assume that all downed power lines are live.
3. Take photographs or videos of any damage caused by a storm on your property. This documentation will be helpful for insurance purposes. Make sure to document both the interior and exterior damage to assist with the claims process.
4. In case of any damage, contact your insurance company immediately. Provide them with the documented evidence and follow their instructions for filing a claim.
5. Consider reaching out to a professional storm damage restoration company. Experienced professionals can help mitigate the damage to your property and assist you with your post-storm recovery process.
6. In case of a power outage, make sure you operate your gas-powered generator in a safe space if you have one. Keep it at least 15 feet from doors and windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical hazards.
7. Consider discarding perishables if the power has been out for an extended period. Ideally, you will need to discard refrigerated food if they have been above 40°F for more than two hours to prevent foodborne illness.
8. Check on your neighbors if you can. During this challenging time, it’s also important to lend a helping hand to those who may need extra assistance.

Safeguard Your Property With Restoration 1 of Oak Harbor

The aftermath of a severe storm can be a truly overwhelming and daunting experience. We understand how difficult and complex the recovery process can be, which is why we created this guide to provide indispensable tips to help you navigate this challenging ordeal.

At Restoration 1 of Olympia, we’re committed to providing you with the utmost care and support during this challenging time. As a leading storm damage restoration service provider, we know all too well the formidable challenges that come with storm recovery. Choosing us means more than just getting assistance with storm damage cleanup. You are also getting a partner with you every step of the way.

If you need our assistance, contact us today!