Disasters such as hurricanes and thunderstorms are typical in Florida. There is a time every year when Floridians experience destructive thunderstorms and hurricanes that could cause huge damage to their properties. Hurricanes can bring flash floods, hard rains, and water damage, and can destroy anything that stands in their way.
The hurricane season is here, so it’s best to prepare your property and family for whatever happens. Here are some tips from ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief.
Before a Hurricane
The state of Florida is vulnerable to hurricanes due to its location. Most Floridians are already aware of this fact and are already adept at hurricane preparedness. If you are new to Florida, consider asking your neighbors or friends to get a general idea about what preparations to make before a hurricane strikes.
Disaster preparedness is the key to increasing your chances of surviving a disaster and keeping you and your family safe. Here are some tips from ready.gov.
Make a plan
- Create an emergency plan and discuss it together with your family.
- Discuss emergency alerts and warnings, shelter plans, evacuation routes, and modes of communication.
- Consider the specific needs that each family member may require, especially children or the elderly.
- Practice this plan in advance so that you’ll know what to do or what to expect when a disaster finally strikes.
Build a kit
- Check your emergency disaster kit from last year to assess what else to add.
- Since there is still a global health crisis present, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adding items that would help prevent the spread of viruses, such as cloth face coverings and prescription medications.
Teach your kids about preparedness
- Emergencies and disasters can be scary or overwhelming for kids, so it’s best that you talk to your children about them. There are fun, interactive learning materials about disaster preparedness that your kids are sure to love.
Other Hurricane Preparedness Tips
- Store an adequate supply of food and clean water (at least three days' worth). These are most needed when the hurricane comes because we don’t know when it will stop. Enough food and clean water will help you survive.
- Prepare ready-to-eat food, including canned food.
- Keep flashlights, candles, and battery-powered radios. Preparing them will give you light and communication to the authorities for warning and emergency purposes.
- Check your house and repair weak and unstable parts.
- Be updated with the latest weather report.
- If you have pets, secure them in a safe place.
- If you are leaving near a coastal area, place your boats in a safe place.
- If you need to evacuate, prepare lots of clothes, a first aid kit, candles or flashlights, battery-operated radios, food, etc.
After a Hurricane
Hurricanes can result in a lot of damage to property, and if this ever happens to you, here is a checklist on what you need to take care of after the hurricane has passed.
Start at the roof and work your way down
- The roof can be high and steep, but you don’t have to climb up. All you have to do is to check for leaks inside your home.
- Inspect your roof and ceilings for holes. If you don’t know how to do this, it’s better to call an expert for advice or help.
Take a look at the electrical outlets
- Exposed electrical outlets can cause accidents. Make sure all your electrical outlets are safe and secured.
- Make sure your hands aren’t wet and the place where your electrical outlets are is not wet. If you are unsure about what to do, call an expert to do this for you.
Check for water damage inside and outside your property
- Check for mold buildup and any standing water inside your property to avoid accidents.
- Standing water is easy to spot and easy to clean. However, there are times when your indoor spaces will be flooded.
- You can do the flood cleanup yourself, but it would take a lot of effort on your part especially when you don’t have the right equipment to do it. Call the experts at ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief to perform mold inspection, dehumidification, and water removal on your property.
Document all damages
- All damages must be documented so that you can have an accurate report for your insurance company. Your insurance company can help you finance the damages that the storm has caused.
- By doing this, you can have peace of mind and you don’t have to worry about the money. Always make sure to document the before and after photos so that your evidence will be intact.
These are just some of the things that you can do after a hurricane and it is always best to perform a routine check before the storm. You have to keep in mind that water and storm damage needs to be promptly addressed as they may lead to more serious issues, such as mold and irreparable structural repairs.
Call Us for Water & Storm Damage Restoration in Clearwater, Florida
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.
- Over 30 Years of Experience
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