Florida homeowners need to know the appropriate steps to take during the aftermath of a storm while remembering that time is not on their side. As a homeowner, you must understand how to mitigate the damage your home has suffered.
Experiencing significant damage to your home during a hurricane is a stressful situation. Still, homeowners need to act fast. Your insurance company requires these mitigation steps, and following these guidelines will help to prevent further risk and liability for the homeowner.
Storm mitigation can come in many forms; I’ll briefly discuss the most common forms of storm mitigation used by Florida homeowners.
1. Tree and Debris Removal
- Fallen trees and flying debris are considerable risks during a storm.
- Removing loose branches, debris, or damaged materials from your property will prevent further damage and potential hazards.
- Flying debris is the major cause of damage during a hurricane.
2. Protect Exposed Areas
- To prevent further water intrusion, Cover exposed areas of your roof with tarps or plywood, using sandbags or fasteners to keep the cover in place.
- Before using nails to hold down any coverings, it’s important to understand the extent of the damage. Homeowners don’t want to damage their roofs unnecessarily.
- Having exposed areas correctly covered will help prevent further leaking or interior damage to your home.
3. Flood Mitigation
- If sandbags were ineffective in protecting the boundary of your home and water has entered the dwelling, flooding your home, you must act fast.
- Homeowners need to remove any standing water quickly to prevent mold formation and growth. Running your home’s A/C, fans, and dehumidifiers will help prevent the mold from spreading.
- Opening windows and doors is your next best option if your home is experiencing power outages.
Remember To Document Everything!
- Anything during a hurricane applies to your hurricane deductible. This means that most of the time, your insurance company will cover the cost of any mitigation services needed to protect your home.
- It’s your responsibility to mitigate as much damage as possible when damage occurs during a hurricane and remember to document ALL damage.
- Taking photos and videos of the damage will support your insurance claim and ensure you receive the proper funds when you file the claim.
Emergency Storm Contacts:
Emergency: 911
State Assistance Hotline: 1-800-342-3557
F.E.M.A: 1-800-621-3362
Hillsborough County Emergency Management: (813) 272-6600
HCFL Alert Systems: (833) 427-8676
American Red Cross: (813) 348-4820
TECO: (877) 588-1010
It’s important to know who to contact if you need help, while having current up-to-date information during an emergency.
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