Northeast Florida is no stranger to severe weather. Even hurricanes make their way to Florida and wreak havoc on homes and commercial properties.
In late September, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida and move northeast, prompting evacuation orders in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties and causing a widespread power outage. It’s one of the most powerful and destructive storms in U.S. history, causing property damage estimated to be in the billion-dollar range.
Time is of the essence when dealing with water and storm damage. That’s why it’s important to quickly request professional damage restoration services. The quicker the mitigation and restoration process can start, the quicker your family can get back into your home.
Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging:
- Electronics
- Household Appliances
- Plumbing Equipment
- Upholstery
- Wood Furniture
Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remediate. Hiring a water damage restoration company in Clearwater, FL like ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies hire experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.
How To Stay Safe After A Hurricane
Stay inside until the storm has completely passed.
- It is critically important that you do not attempt to go outside until the winds have calmed down significantly. Keep in mind that unlike the start of the storm, there is now a ton of debris out there that can fly around a lot more easily.
- Keep your battery-operated radio functional so you can hear updates from forecasters and local officials.
If you evacuated, do not return until local officials say you can.
- Depending on the severity of the storm, you may be better off staying where you are for a while. There’s a good chance you won’t be able to make it back anyway, with all the trees and power lines down.
- Some areas, such as barrier islands, may have specific re-entry requirements. Be sure to have your identification and proof of residency with you.
Conduct an initial damage assessment of your immediate area.
- When it's safe to do so, survey the immediate area and watch out for live power lines and gas leaks. If a hazardous condition exists, flee the area immediately.
- Seek a safer location elsewhere. Know where shut-off valves for electricity, natural gas, and water are and turn them off if needed.
Stay indoors.
- Even after the storm passes, many additional hazards can harm you. Many people are injured or killed walking or driving around after the storm.
- Live power lines, gas leaks, dangling tree branches, flooding, damaged roadways, and dangerous wildlife can be life-threatening.
- Do not go sightseeing unnecessarily; the added traffic may prevent essential personnel from getting to people who need their help.
Attempt to contact your family or friends outside the area.
- Contact your family or friends outside the impact area as soon as possible to alert them about your condition.
Stay tuned to local media and emergency officials.
- This will be a critical time for information about ongoing threats, conditions, and sources of assistance.
- Continue to follow the advice of emergency officials during this time.
Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until notified.
- Contamination of the water supply, particularly if you have an on-site well, is highly possible after widespread flooding.
- Do not drink or prepare food with tap water, if functional, until notified by officials or until your well has been professionally inspected and tested.
- If there is low water pressure, refrain from bathing or using the water for any other purpose. Water supplies should be reserved for firefighting.
Help your neighbors, but refrain from venturing too far.
- Refrain from venturing too far from your safe space until authorized by local officials. However, if you are able, check in on your neighbors and lend assistance.
- Be careful to not overestimate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Many well-intentioned volunteers have been injured or killed conducting tasks they are not qualified to do.
Do not grill or operate gasoline-powered machinery indoors.
- Carbon-monoxide poisoning sickens or kills many people long after the storm has passed. This is often the result of using generators, charcoal grills, or other gasoline-power equipment in poorly ventilated areas.
Stay out of floodwaters.
- Playing in floodwaters may seem fun. However, there are many hidden dangers present.
- There could be raw sewage, hazardous chemicals, bacteria, dangerous wildlife, and underwater hazards that could severely injure or kill you.
Refrain from using candles.
- Using candles is very dangerous for obvious reasons. Remember, the fire department may not be able to respond to put any fires out.
You should save the emergency number of a water and storm damage restoration company in Northeast Florida so that when these disasters happen, it will be easy to reach out to them.
- This is something you should do as quickly as possible, as the longer you leave your property damaged, the more serious the damage will be.
- After a hurricane, your home may be left with a serious leak or with a wall missing which will result in the property getting wet and having dust, dirt, and debris blowing in.
- The sooner you deal with this, the less expensive the subsequent damage and mess will be.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
An HO-3 homeowners insurance policy is a form of home insurance that will protect policyholders against property damage, legal liabilities, and other expenses associated with unexpected disasters befalling your home.
Standard home insurance policies usually cover sudden or accidental and internal water damage (water that has never touched outside ground), like the burning, cracking, tearing, or bulging of steam, heating, AC, or automatic fire protection systems.
For cases of open-peril or all-risk policy or standard HO3 policies, it has been stipulated as stated in 16 perils or situations. Some perils covered are:
- Rain - Water damage from rain falls under weather-related perils.
- Plumbing - "Accidental discharge" or "overflow of water or steam" include water damage from burst pipes, faulty plumbing, air conditioners, outdoor and fire sprinkler systems, and accidental overflows.
- Water damage after extinguishing a fire - Water and mold damage that resulted from fire sprinklers operated to put out a fire is covered.
- Vandalism - Water damage from "malicious activity" peril, which includes vandalism or any form of defacement of your plumbing system, is considered covered.
- Other covered incidents include accidental overflows of appliances or fixtures, leaking roofs (coverage on interior parts only), and mold growth resulting from covered water damage.
Meanwhile, standard homeowners insurance does not cover weather-related flooding, water damage from poorly maintained pipes due to neglect, gradual damage, sewage backups, and groundwater seepage.
NOTE: It’s best to review the coverage of your insurance policy even before a disaster strikes. Some insurance policies specify in detail their coverage when it comes to damages, but some do not. Contact your insurance provider right away to clarify any issues or make changes to your policy.
Get in Touch With Water Damage Restoration Experts in Pinellas County, FL
ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief has always been available for emergencies in Pinellas County, Florida. For storm damage restoration in Clearwater, Florida, and nearby areas, call us at (813) 295-7797.
Due to the large volume of calls we receive during this time due to Hurricane Ian, you can also use our online contact form. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.your insurance provider right away to clarify any issues or make changes to your policy.
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas.
