Tips to Prep For and Recover After a Hurricane

Preparing for a hurricane and either waiting out the storm or evacuating is incredibly stressful. Once the storm has passed, your work is nowhere near done, as it can take a lot of time, effort, and money to recover after a hurricane. You may have physical damage, there may be dangerous areas on your property, and you may need to replace or repair a lot of items. Here are some of the ways you can recover after a hurricane. 

Keep Safety in Mind 

Safety is a huge consideration when recovering from a hurricane, whether it’s taking care to ensure your property is safe or avoiding any hazardous roads or areas near your property. 

When you are able to return to your home or when you are able to come out of the safe space you hunkered down in, assess your home and property for damage and hazards. Dangerous items on your property or in your home could include flood waters, downed power lines, fallen trees or limbs, gas leaks, and dangerous animals. 

Think about the food in your home, too. Without power, frozen items will stay safe for about two days if the door stays closed and the freezer is full. Food in the refrigerator will only keep for about four hours with the door shut. If the food has been above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours, the safest thing to do is get rid of it. Follow your gut, too. If anything doesn’t smell right or if you’re not sure whether it’s good or not, it’s best to toss it. When in doubt, consult with the USDA food safety guidelines. 

If there is any flooding in or around your home, you’ll want to take proper precautions, beginning by turning off the power. You’ll also want to immediately begin the process of drying out the area to help prevent mold and mildew growth. As you’re navigating the water and the areas damaged by the water, understand that flood water is not clean. It may be filled with fecal matter, debris, chemicals, dangerous animals, and other potential hazards. 

When it’s safe to return to your home, you might still be without power, and you might be under a boil water advisory. Be sure to listen to any advisories, and never run a generator indoors. Don’t forget to check in on your neighbors, too when it’s safe to do so. Elderly or disabled neighbors may need extra help. 

Find Safe Accommodations 

In some cases, it might not be safe to return to your home for some time, especially if there is excessive damage, your house flooded, or there is no safe way to access your home. While shelters may be in place during and immediately after the hurricane, they are not a long-term solution. If you don’t have family or friends that can house you until you can move back into your home, you may need to find a rental or stay in a hotel for a period of time. 

How to Replace and Repair Items in Your Home 

Before you begin making any changes or repairs to your home, you’ll want to document the damage with pictures and begin the process of filing a claim with your insurance company. They will help explain the process and steps you need to take to file your claim. As you talk to different people throughout this process, it’s helpful to keep a record of who you spoke to when as well as what you discussed. 

When it comes time to make repairs, you may need to hire someone, depending on the extent of the damages. Be wary of who you hire, though. After a hurricane, you may encounter unqualified people trying to take advantage of you. They might even show up at your door soliciting work. Only hire licensed contractors, and carefully read any contracts before signing them. 

How to Pay for Repairs After a Hurricane 

Staying in a rental, replacing damaged items, repairing your home, replacing food that went bad… the list of expenses after a hurricane goes on and on. It can be stressful to deal with these expenses, especially if you have to take time off work as a result of the hurricane. 

Two of the main ways people pay for repairs after a hurricane are through insurance and through agencies like FEMA. Funds from these sources, however, may not be enough to cover the cost of your damages and repairs. If you feel that you have not been properly served by your insurance company after experiencing a hurricane, you may be able to file a hurricane insurance lawsuit.