Returning to Normal After Hurricane Damage

Hurricanes are a significant threat for many people across the world and they’re becoming more frequent each year. If you’ve recently had a hurricane come through your area, you might have experienced some damage to your home. Once this happens, you’ll want to work as quickly as you can to return your home back to normal. Below, we’ll offer some steps you can follow to restore your home and better protect it against future hurricanes.

Contact Your Insurance Providers

After your home experiences hurricane damage, one of the first things you should do is contact your home insurance provider. It’s likely that others also experienced damage from the storm, meaning the insurance provider is going to be very busy handling claims. You’ll want to contact them as soon as possible so that they can get an agent to your home sooner and you can begin the repair process.

While you’re waiting for the home insurance agent to arrive at your home, consider taking pictures of any damage you received. For example, you might have a flooded basement or damage to your roof after a hurricane. Since you probably don’t want to wait until an insurance appraiser can arrive, taking some pictures will record the evidence. These pictures may come in handy if your insurance provider tries to deny part or your entire claim.

Work with an Attorney if Necessary

In some situations, you may need an attorney to help you receive financial compensation for your damages. For example, your insurance company may take a long time to deliver your payment or they may deny parts of your request. Trying to get your compensation from these companies can be a tricky process, which is where a specialized law firm can be of assistance.

According to the Chopin Law Firm of New Orleans, a good lawyer can answer questions like how long after a hurricane can you file a claim, how much can you receive in financial compensation, what documentation do you need to file a claim, and more. By working with a lawyer that has experience in hurricane damage claims, you should be able to get the money you deserve in a shorter amount of time, allowing you to start returning your home to normal.

Make a List of Needed Repairs

As you’re waiting for all the paperwork to process and to receive your compensation, you can start making a list of all the repairs you’ll need to make. Take some time to carefully inspect every part of your home and see what damage the hurricane caused. Common damages include missing roof shingles, downed power lines, flooded basements, water damage, and broken windows.

Once you’ve identified everything that needs fixing, prioritize the list. There are likely some areas that need more immediate attention than others. For instance, you’ll want to address severe roof damage before you address the wet carpet in your finished basement. Since you may not be able to do all of your repairs right away, it’s important to make note of which ones should come first.

Find Local Contractors in Your Area

In many cases, you won’t be able to repair the damage to your home from the hurricane on your own. Instead, you’ll likely want to work with local contractors, who have experience in home repairs and remodels. As with your home insurance provider, it’s likely that these contractors are going to book up fast, helping other homes in your area with repairs.

So, as soon as you know what sort of repairs you’ll need, you should begin the search for a local contractor who can assist you. Read some online reviews to find local contractors that provide reliable and affordable work, then contact them. The sooner you can do this, the sooner you can get your home back to normal.

Prepare for the Next Storm

Finally, once you’ve got your home back to the way it was, it’s a good idea to prepare for the next storm. If a hurricane hits your home, it’s possible that another one will come around again in the future. To protect your home, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure you have plenty of first aid supplies stocked up in your home, just in case you need them.

After that, stock up on some supplies from your local hardware store, such as planks of wood and some nails. You can use these to board up your windows the next time a major storm is coming through. If your home is prone to flooding, try keeping anything valuable off of the floor. For example, put your family’s photo albums up on shelves so that they are less likely to get damaged by water. There’s a lot you can do to prepare your home for a hurricane, but these few tips should get you started.