Property Cleanup After a Hurricane
Hurricanes can bring devastating damage to the Tampa, Florida, area. High winds can blow roofs off of buildings and send dangerous debris flying. Copious amounts of rainfall cause flooding of streets, waterways, and properties, and storm surges can add an extra level of intense damage to life and property. Often, the aftermath of a hurricane is more dangerous than the storm itself. Power lines come down, sharp debris is lying about, and flooded electrical vehicles can ignite and cause explosions.
Preparing for a hurricane or major storm is essential for preserving your property and safety. However, even with the most careful planning and preparation, your home or business may still sustain substantial and potentially dangerous damage. While you can try and do it yourself to clean up after a hurricane, hiring a professional restoration company can help ensure speedy and efficient recovery so you can move back in or start to rebuild.
Hurricane Aftermath Hazards
Hurricanes are powerful and can cause damage and life-threatening situations in a matter of hours. Key hazards to consider after a hurricane include:
Contaminated Floodwater
Floodwaters often contain sewage, chemicals, and infectious organisms that can cause sickness. If you have cuts or scrapes on your body and the contaminants enter your body, you can come down with a disease that will need further treatment. If you need to wade through floodwaters, wear rain boots or waders. If your home flooded, ensure you remove any items that got wet, including drywall.
Electrical and Powerline Hazards
Trees and winds can bring power lines down creating hazardous or life-threatening electrical shocks to your system. Avoid all electrical lines and call emergency services to have the professionals take care of downed lines.
Natural Gas Hazards
Many homes have natural gas for cooking and water heaters. If a line breaks during the storm, it can emit fumes that will make you sick or unconscious. In addition, gas fumes pose a fire threat. Your local power company can turn off the source of natural gas and make repairs.
Reptiles and Animals
Florida has numerous reptiles like snakes and alligators that may become displaced during a flood. In addition, wild animals or even frightened domestic animals can become displaced and dangerous. Call animal control if you see a displaced wild or domestic animal or reptile.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Water and vehicles, don’t mix. This is particularly true for salt water. If your EV or Hybrid vehicle was exposed to saltwater, place your vehicle outside away from storm debris. Your battery can catch fire up to weeks after being submerged in saltwater. If your battery does ignite, contact 911 immediately.
What to Look For in a Professional Storm Damage Restoration Company
With so many hazards and specialized tools and equipment required for post-hurricane cleanup, smart homeowners will call a professional storm damage and restoration company to help them remove debris and hazardous materials.
Emergency Services
Look for a reputable restoration and cleanup company that offers 24/7 emergency services, especially in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Free and Honest Estimates
A reputable restoration company generally offers free estimates. You want an estimate with transparency so you won’t have any surprises at the end of the cleanup and restoration process.
Restoration Services
Some cleanup companies only offer remediation services to clean up the debris. Restoration services include repairing the damage caused by the flood, wind, or fire. If your home, business, or property has suffered extensive hurricane damage, a restoration company can help you not only clean and remove the debris and hazards but also help rebuild the property to become habitable.
Mold Remediation
Floodwaters that remain on carpets, floorboards, and furniture are prone to mold growth. Many molds can be quite harmful, especially to those who have asthma or respiratory issues. Choose a restoration company that also provides mold remediation to help keep your home’s air clean and healthy.
Hire a Professional Tree Care Service
Most Tampa area homes and properties have trees, ranging from palm trees to Eastern cedars. Decorative trees and shrubs are easily damaged during high winds associated with hurricanes. A professional tree care service can safely assess any tree damage, use the tools to mitigate any further damage to power lines or structures, and properly remove and dispose of the tree parts.
Tree removal is hard work and requires specialized tools and knowledge. Tree care technicians or arborists use powerful tools like chainsaws, powered limb trimmers, and wood chippers that can cause harm to an individual if not used properly. Consider hiring a local tree care service for damaged trees, branches, or limb removal.
DIY Tasks for the Aftermath of a Hurricane
Depending on the severity of damage sustained by the hurricane, there are several tasks you as the homeowner can do while waiting for the cleanup and restoration professionals to arrive.
Prioritize Safety
Safety is first for any natural disaster, including hurricanes. Before assessing the damage to your home or property, protect yourself by wearing a hard hat, safety goggles, work gloves, and sturdy boots. Avoid touching downed electrical lines and always assume they are still powered. If there’s minimal damage, pick up debris or obstacles and either store them safely or dispose of them.
File an Insurance Claim
The sooner you file your homeowner’s insurance claim, the sooner you can begin the restoration and rebuilding process. Call your insurance broker as soon as possible and provide the necessary information from your insurance policy so they can start the claims process. Many others will also be filing claims, so the sooner you contact your broker, the sooner you’ll receive compensation.
Cleanup Your Home Safely
Using professional restoration and tree service companies can help ensure it’s safe for you to return home. Contact emergency services and your homeowner’s insurance broker as soon as possible to file a claim to start the rebuilding process as soon as possible. We are #TampaStrong.