The Aftermath: How To Recover From a Severe Storm

Photo by Rodrigo Souza: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-thunderstorm-2531709/

Severe storms can happen throughout the year. While the hope is that everyone is safe and there is minimal or no damage to the home, the reality is that these storms can easily cause a lot of damage. It is important to know what to do once the storm is over to start getting everything cleaned up and ensuring that everyone is safe. For those who have gone through a severe storm, the following can be done to start recovering. 

Stay Safe and Get Expert Assistance

It is crucial for everyone to stay in the home where it is safe through the storm. Once the storm is over, avoid leaving the house unless it becomes necessary. Once the weather is calm again, it is possible to walk outside to survey the damage. Avoid climbing on the roof to check for damage, as if you hire a roofer to do an inspection, they can do that safely. It is possible there is damage that’s hard to see from the ground but that could make climbing onto the roof dangerous. 

Clean Up Around the Home

Inside and outside of the home can have a lot of debris or damage from the storm. It is important to get everything cleaned up quickly. Outside of the home, remove tree branches that have fallen and other debris so the area is clear for anyone who may need to get to the home in an emergency or help with repairs. It may be necessary to clear bundle tree branches to set them out to be picked up. 

Inside the home, clean up any broken glass, water that has gotten into the home, or debris that may have come in through broken windows. Make sure children and pets are kept safe from any hazards inside the home. If the home has flooded, it may be a good idea to turn off the power, if it can be done safely, to prevent anyone from being electrocuted or further damage to the home. 

Start Cleaning Damage to the Home

Once everyone is safe and the home has been inspected for potential hazards, it’s time to start cleaning up. Standing water should be cleaned as quickly as possible, but this can be challenging if the home has flooding. Clean up smaller amounts of water right away. Make a list of any damages that need to be repaired and start contacting professionals for help. 

Stay Up to Date on Local Information

Make sure it is possible to get emergency notifications in case the power is out, phone lines are down, or there are other issues. There are apps that can be used to get information as long as a signal is available. For times when cell services may be out, it is a good idea to have a radio on hand. A hand-cranked or battery-operated radio can be used if the power is out. 

Severe storms can be frightening and they can do a lot of damage. The main concern should be to stay safe during and after the storm. Once the storm is over, it’s possible to start looking into what needs to be done to get everything back in shape again so the house is safe to live in. Work with professionals to repair any damage to the home quickly.