Home Restoration After a Hurricane 

There is no doubt that preparing for the storm is only half of what you need to do when expecting a hurricane. You also need to be ready for the days or weeks that follow. During this time, home restoration is at its peak. While the storm may have been chaotic, repairing damages from the impact is another challenge. 

Continue reading to learn more about the aftermath of a hurricane and what kind of home restoration you may need to expect. 

What Happens After a Hurricane? 

Once the storm has passed, community officials, emergency services, and citizens get to work. Some of the first things you’ll see are road closures blocking off hazardous areas, like flooding or dangerous debris the hurricane carries.  

Some of the most widespread effects of a hurricane are power outages. While some are lucky enough to have a quick return of power to their home, others could be without lights, appliances, water, and more for up to weeks. 

As soon as it is safe to do so, one of the first things you should do after a hurricane is inspect your property for damages, hazards, flooding, and more. 

Before jumping in to volunteer around the community or in areas significantly impacted by the hurricane, it’s vital first to check out and address the condition of your property, whether you believe you were hit hard or not. The main hazards and damages to look out for on your property are: 

• Flooding 
• Mold 
• Water Damage 
• Broken Belongings 
• Damaged Home Structure 

• Fallen Trees 

You can never be too cautious and securing your home and property helps the community stay safe. Then, by all means, go out and assist others. 

Common Home Restoration Following a Hurricane 

Some homes are generally unaffected by a hurricane, except for a fallen branch or two, while others fall right in the path of the worst of the storm and, unfortunately, suffer damages or worse.  

Here’s how to handle the common home restoration tasks that may follow a hurricane. 

Put safety first. Before entering any affected areas, ensure you are protected with the right gear and equipment. 

Assess and document the damage. Carefully enter your property to cautiously inspect for hurricane impact, and take many photos to document the effects. 

Next, consider your budget. After inspecting your property and understanding the condition of your home, think about a realistic budget to repair damages and handle other home restorations. 

Do your research and call the professionals. With your budget in mind, hop online to explore your options. If you choose to make minor repairs, ensure you are fully capable. Otherwise, call in your local professionals. 

Then, get started with the essentials. Prioritize the home restorations by urgency. For example, one of the first things you should address is flooding. The quicker you remove the excess water, the less of a chance for the development of expensive water damage or dangerous mold growth. 

Prepare for future natural disasters. As you bring your home back to how it was before the hurricane, keep in mind how you can further protect it from future natural disasters to prevent costly repairs and ensure your safety. 

Power Outages 

As mentioned, power outages are some of the most common impacts of hurricanes. More than likely, if you are experiencing a power outage, so are several homes and properties surrounding you, and restoring power can sometimes take a while. 

How do power outages happen during a hurricane? 

• Due to high winds, trees or other large objects fall onto power lines or other electricity equipment. 

• Storm surges and flooding from heavy rainfall may damage critical equipment at power plants or in the area. 
• Emergency evacuations often result in the shutdown of power to prevent hazardous situations in areas where the hurricane is predicted to heavily impact in one way or another. 

What do you do about a power outage caused by a hurricane? 

Sometimes, power is restored quickly, while it can take up to several days at other times. This depends on the condition and specific details of how the power went out, how many homes it affected, and how quickly emergency services or utility companies can solve the issue. 

As soon as it is safe, professionals will assess the damage and begin repairs to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Keep in mind that power restoration is prioritized based on necessity. For instance, hospitals are often the first buildings addressed due to urgency. 

Flooding and Water Damage 

Heavy rains and storm surges can result in flooding and water damage in your area or property. Damages to roofs, doors, and windows are some of the most significant causes of indoor flooding, leading to quick and often permanent issues like severe water damage, toxic chemical exposure, and mold or mildew growth. 

The best way to avoid flooding and water damage is to protect the doors and windows from high winds, rain, and flying debris. If your home was affected by excess water in any way, call your local officials or emergency services as soon as possible to quickly repair and restore the damage before more significant issues arise. 

Damaged Home Structure and Belongings 

It’s also possible for the structure of your home or belongings to be impacted by flying objects, flooding, or high winds. Some of the common damages include: 

• Roof destruction 
• Broken windows and doors 
• Soiled furniture and appliances 
• Minor or major leaks in the structure of the building 
• And more. 

If any of these areas are affected by the storm, call your insurance and local home restoration services as soon as possible. 

Fallen Trees and Other Debris 

Another common effect of a catastrophic hurricane is fallen trees and other scattered debris. It’s crucial to use caution when assessing these kinds of damages with the possibility of heavy or sharp objects and hazardous materials. 

Check with your local officials to determine the best way to clear fallen trees and other debris properly and safely. 

What if Your Home or Area is Not Livable Post-Hurricane? 

If you find your home has been damaged to the degree of being unlivable, even temporarily, reach out to government officials, insurance, local emergency services, and other resources to learn about the best options for your unique situation and family.  

Even if you classify the hurricane impact as minor, it is critical to quickly contact professionals for a qualified assessment of any damage. Hurricane effects can be deceiving and more hazardous than it looks, so stay safe and ask for help immediately.  

CITED:Emergency.fsu.edu, Waterdamageadvisor.com, Nibs.org