Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

The Stages of Water Damage from Flash Floods and How to Handle them

Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

A hurricane emergency can strike at any time, especially in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Unfortunately, hurricanes and tropical storms are a regular part of life on the coast. For homeowners that means being prepared and protecting your home and property from storm related damage.

There are steps you can and should take ahead of time to prepare for hurricane season, which generally extends from the end of August through October and sometimes beyond, but there may be times when you have less warning and you may need to move quickly to protect your home.

Here are a few steps you can take during a hurricane emergency:

Guard against wind damage – Strong winds are one of the biggest threats posed by hurricanes and they can do a considerable amount of damage to your home. You should always be sure your gutters are clear and make any needed structural repairs. Aside from that, you can guard against wind damage by using safety measures such as roof straps, head and foot bolts on doors and window covers or storm shutters. Also, put caulking around windows and doors and check your drains and sump pumps to avoid water damage. You’ll also want to protect any attached structures like porches, decks and carports to be sure they’re stable and take in any outdoor furniture to prevent it from becoming a dangerous projectile.
Check your landscaping – It’s not just your house itself that can be damaged during a hurricane. Make sure there are no loose tree branches and tie down any shrubs that might get pulled up so they can’t be blown through windows or walls. If you have a gravel driveway or walks, you might also want to consider changing to shredded bark, which is much less destructive when blown.
Review your insurance – It’s too late to change your coverage during a hurricane emergency, but you’ll want to review the insurance you have so you know where you stand. That way you won’t face any surprises when it comes time to file a claim.
Take photos – Having a thorough record of the current status of your home before the storm hits will be invaluable when you need to file an insurance claim. Keeping a comprehensive set of photos of your home, inside and out, will help with taking inventory, something that most insurance companies require.

Of course, it is not always possible to avoid damage during a hurricane emergency, but if you do face repairs and restoration you don’t have to go it alone. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your property is to consult with a professional restoration company. The professionals will be able to assess your damage and help to get your home back to normal as quickly and smoothly as possible.

As a part of the Ft. Lauderdale North community, SERVPRO is keenly aware of the potential dangers of a hurricane emergency and our technicians are ready to respond to your call immediately. With thorough training and state-of-the-art equipment, we’re prepared to handle any of your water mitigation and restoration needs. We’ll even help you file your insurance claim because we know how complicated and difficult that process can be.

When a hurricane emergency strikes, you can rely on SERVPRO to get you back on your feet in no time. We can make rebuilding after a storm a lot less stressful for you and your family because we treat your home as if it were our own.