What to Do in the Hours After a Hurricane to Prevent and Deal With Damage

What you do to prevent hurricane damage after the storm passes may be as important as steps you take to prepare for it before it strikes. The aftermath of a hurricane can be a chaotic and even hazardous experience, particularly if you're returning to a home that may have been compromised by high winds, flooding and loss of utilities. Time is of the essence because water damage is a progressive process—not a static event that's over when it's over. Until professional water damage restoration companies arrive on the scene, establishing common-sense priorities helps prevent existing hurricane damage from becoming even worse.

First and foremost, ensure you and your family's personal safety when re-entering the home:

  • Beware of snakes or animals that may have entered your home along with the water.
  • Use a generator or barbecue grill outdoors only—both produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.
  • Take care that candles or fires aren't left burning when nobody's around.
  • Look out for hazards such as exposed electrical wires and broken glass.

Once you have the opportunity to assess the hurricane damage, take these steps:

  • If standing water is present, don't try to extract it yourself using any electrical device including consumer-grade wet/dry vacuums. If it can't be mopped up or swept out, leave it for the professional water damage contractors.
  • Open doors and windows to circulate air and reduce indoor humidity.
  • Relocate wet possessions including saturated fabrics, clothes, books, papers and other absorbent materials to a higher, drier area promptly.
  • Cover any roof damage with plastic tarps or plywood.
  • Make sure valuables including family heirlooms, paintings and art objects are placed in a secure location to dry, particularly if the house will not be immediately re-occupied.

For more tips on reducing hurricane damage after the storm has passed, contact the damage restoration professionals at Rytech Restoration.

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Find your local Rytech Restoration below by clicking and expanding the state where your property is located. Live specialists are standing by, ready to answer your questions and dispatch a certified technician to your door.

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