Proceed With Caution
The safety of you and your family should be the first priority after a hurricane, tornado or flooding. Before you begin any clean up efforts make sure your home is safe before you enter. Failure to do so may result in serious injury. Use exterme caution to stay safe after severe weather with these tips:
- Don’t walk through floodwaters. Unseen dangers can exist such as sharp objects, snakes, obstructions or downed power lines which can electrically charge the water.
- Steer clear of power lines.
- Ensure the water supply is safe before drinking. Your local or state authorities will declare if and when the water supply is safe to resume using.
- The risk of conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), skin rash, cholera, wound infection and more are high after flooding. To prevent waterborne diseases, wash hands with soap and clean water.
- To avoid a potential explosion resulting from a gas leak, never use lighters, kerosene lamps, candles or matches when assessing damage.
- When cleaning up, stay hydrated and be sure to take breaks throughout the day to avoid overexertion.
For cleaning, have these items on hand:
- Bleach
- Buckets
- Dust mask
- Flashlight
- Gloves (chemical resistant and heavy duty work)
- Household cleaner
- Large garbage bags
- Large trash can
- Liquid disinfectant soap
- Sponges, scouring pads and scrub brushes
- Towels
Before beginning any post-disaster projects, dress for the mess: wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to minimize risk of insect bites, protective eyewear, durable work gloves and closed toe shoes or boots (preferably steel toe). When using cleaning products, never mix bleach and ammonia. The combination produces deadly toxic chloramine vapors.
Get Connected
Communication is key following a disaster. To ensure you're always connected, stock up on batteries for radios or portable televisions, as well as flashlights to use if the power is off.
It's also important to have solar or crank chargers or backup batteries for phones, tablets and computers.
Survey the Scene
Cleaning up after a severe storm can take days or even weeks. When your home and belongings are damaged, it can feel overwhelming, but you can get through it. Once you have assessed the damage, contact your insurance company to start the process of filing a claim.
As you’re assessing the area, take pictures of any damage incurred and take detailed notes. This will come in handy when you file your insurance claim.
Check the home's exterior and hose down debris and mud left by floodwater. Mud can seep into the exterior and cause mildew and wood damage. Shovel out as much mud as possible and remove water quickly with a mop or squeegee. Cover broken windows with tarps and plywood until repair or replacement is made. Cut back and remove any broken trees or limbs. [See more on Toppled Trees and Tree Limbs below]
Strong winds, flying debris and of course fallen trees can damage your roof. On the outside, look for signs of roof damage, indicated by missing, curled or broken shingles. Also look for missing eaves, flashing, gutters and downspouts. On the inside, moisture marks, damp spots and peeling paint could indicate a damaged roof.
Once you can safely enter your home, take inventory of any damage. Be cautious when opening doors to each room. Doors that stick at the top could indicate that the ceiling is ready to fall. If it's necessary to force a door open, wait a few seconds outside the doorway after opening the door in case debris falls.
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Make sure you check the credentials of any repair services before hiring them.
Before beginning any post-disaster projects, wear safety goggles and gloves and safe footwear – either steel-toed boots or rubber boots.
Toppled Trees and Tree Limbs
Hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding all provide ripe conditions to bring trees down. When assessing the damage near trees that have fallen down, be extremely cautious around power lines on the ground or hanging in a tree as they could still be live.
Other tips to keep you safe:
- Check to see if damaged trees might still pose a danger to the property or people. In the case of uprooted trees, cracked trunks, etc., call a reputable tree service or certified arborist.
- Never try to remove branches or trees that have fallen across utility or power lines. This is a safety hazard. Contact your power company immediately.
- To lessen the risk of injury, only attempt to remove damaged tree branches that you can reach from ground level. You should never attempt to cut branches on a ladder with a chainsaw or by climbing the tree. Contact a certified arborist or reputable tree service.
- When using a chainsaw, additional safety gear – a hardhat, hearing protection, long pants and cut resistant gloves – is strongly advised.
- It’s likely that twigs, leaves and other debris have fallen into your yard. Remove them with the help of a leaf blower.
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If tree branches sustain damage, prune them to help restore the tree and prevent further damage.
Access Electricity
If you're using a generator during a power outage, exercise extreme caution. Never use a generator indoors, including a garage. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. And don't connect a generator to the home's electrical system. Instead, plug what you want to power directly into the generator.
If you don't have a generator, use battery-powered flashlights and lamps. Candles and oil lanterns aren't recommended because they can ignite flammable substances in your home. Additionally, children often mistake candles or lanterns for playthings.
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For added safety, install extra battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms to monitor the level of poisonous gases in your home.
A transfer switch should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Flooding
One of the aftermaths of a heavy storm is the potential for severe flooding. Whether spawned from a hurricane or heavy rainfall, cleaning up after a flood can be a daunting task. From items soaked through to ruined appliances, dealing with floodwater can be a tremendous hassle. Below are a few tips to remember:
- Listen for information on local conditions. Return to your home only after authorities have given the all-clear.
- Use caution when re-entering your home. There may hidden damage.
- If power lines are down, avoid stepping in standing water or puddles.
- In addition to heavy gloves, wear a good pair of rubber boots (preferably high-top) to protect your feet from debris, insects, snakes, etc.
- If any electrical or gas appliances flooded, don’t turn them on. Contact a licensed technician for a safety inspection of the unit.
Wash Away Contaminants
Floodwater poses more than just the threat of damaging your home. It can also contain bacteria, hazardous waste and untreated sewage. Exposure to contaminated water can cause illness, rashes and infection.
Following a disaster, be mindful of potential contaminants in and around your home. Use a mop or heavy sponge and detergent to thoroughly wash and disinfect walls, floors, closets, shelves, and the contents of your home. Be sure to wear protective gear, such as chemical resistant gloves and boots, goggles and an appropriate safety mask.
When in doubt, throw it out — don't risk injury or infection. Foods exposed to floodwaters — even canned goods, face contamination. Also, clean up spilled medicine, bleach and flammable items immediately.
Mold
Mold is a serious issue after a flood. In moist and humid conditions, it develops on drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles, cardboard, paper and other surfaces. Spores can begin to grow 24-48 hours after exposure to water and poses a serious health risk.
To help prevent mold growth:
- Dry out the affected areas as soon as possible.
- If the weather permits, open doors and windows to circulate air. To speed evaporation and reduce moisture, use fans to circulate air and dehumidifiers.
- Discard anything that is soaked and can’t be quickly dried. This includes stuffed animals, carpet and carpet padding, books, upholstered furniture, floor and ceiling tiles, clothing, wood, drywall, insulation and any other porous materials.
- Clean all wet items and surfaces with hot water and dish or laundry detergent.
Mold can’t always be seen right away. If you smell a musty, damp odor, it could be mold. Contact a mold remediation specialist.
Repainting a wall or ceiling that has sustained water damage should never be done. Painting over mold doesn’t kill it. Damaged drywall and insulation should be removed.
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Prepare for the Future
After the cleanup and recovery process is complete, plan ahead for the next occurrence. Assemble an emergency kit now, and include:
- Battery-powered radio or TV
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Fire extinguisher
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- One change of clothing and footwear per person
- Non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day) to last three days
- First aid kit with medications
- Extra set of car keys, credit card and cash
- Sanitary supplies
- Cell phone and tablet chargers (home and auto). Consider a hand-cranked charger that you can use when the electricity goes out -- some of these devices also include a built-in flashlight and a radio
Other tips to help you plan ahead:
- If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or strong winds, invest in storm panels or plywood to board up your windows and doors.
- If you have a basement and don’t currently have a sump pump, now is a good time to consider purchasing one. A sump pump will force water outside and away from your home.
- Make sure your doors and windows are adequately sealed with weatherstripping to prevent water from entering your home.
- Keep your drains and gutters clear to prevent overflow flooding near the foundation or leaks in the home.
For more tips, read How to Prepare for a Hurricane.
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