No matter where you live or what time of year it is, a serious storm is always a possibility. Whether you’re dealing with hurricanes on the coast, tornadoes in the prairies, or severe local storms anywhere in the country, it’s important to be prepared and know what to do after a storm passes through.
While you may be sighing in relief that no serious damage appears to have been done, there may be other issues resulting from the storm getting ready to ruin your day.
Call an Arborist
If there are any trees on your property, getting an arborist out to look at them is one of the first things you’ll want to do after there has been a storm. Powerful winds and torrential rains can weaken branches and even uproot old trees.
It may not be immediately obvious to you what damage has been done, but a branch could snap or tree fall down unexpectedly weeks or months after the storm. Not having an arborist out to look at your trees after a serious storm can put your home and family at risk.
File a Storm Damage Claim if Necessary
It’s a very good idea to get storm damage inspections, even if there is no damage immediately obvious to you. Sometimes the shingles on your roof can be slightly lifted in a way that you may not notice but which will result in leaks and other problems down the road.
The longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it may be to convince your insurance company that the storm really was at fault and that damage is not occurring over time.
Check for Local Issues
Sometimes your property and home may be in fine condition, but damages suffered by your local municipality can nonetheless result in issues for you. Pipes that have been damaged can cause water to be dirty or rusty and may require a temporary boil order.
Sewage may be leaking out onto streets around your home. It’s hard to predict what may have gone wrong in your neighborhood, so it’s a very good idea to look into local news outlets or contact your local government to find out if there are any local issues to be aware of.
Prepare to Deal With Storm Damage
You may just be happy that you still have a roof on your house and that floodwaters didn’t reach your flooring, but once the storm is over, there is still work to be done to ensure that the effects of the storm don’t negatively impact your life. Make sure to call an arborist, have storm damage inspections performed, and check for local issues after a serious storm.
