Did you know that the United States gets hit by a lot of deadly hurricanes? If you want to know what to do after a hurricane, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to recover from a hurricane.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Wait for the Hurricane to End
You’ll want to be cautious before going outside. The storm might not be over even when it sounds like it has calmed. If the rain or wind has stopped, the next part of the storm could still come.
If you’re waiting for the storm to end inside an interior room away from windows and doors, keep a radio with you. This way, you’ll know when it’s safe to come outside.
Don’t test the outside until you get word the hurricane has passed. Winds can hit in a moment.
Don’t Go Into Buildings
Use caution before you go into buildings after the hurricane passes. Some hazards are both visible and invisible.
There are structural issues from the water and wind. Also, there could be potential carbon monoxide poisoning and compromised electrical writing.
You should turn off the electricity at the main breaker. Do this only if there isn’t standing water.
Make sure the running generators are outside of the building and away from an open door or window.
Keep away from buildings with structural damage or ones that make unusual noises. The floors or walls could have become weakened.
Don’t enter a building until it gets declared safe and has undergone an inspection. Start the process by calling FEMA.
Watch Out for Hazardous Chemicals
Look out for compromised propane tanks, batteries, or weed killer containers. Call in your local fire department and ask them to remove them.
If you come into contact with the materials, wash the area. You can get information on poisons and household chemicals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Expect Power Outages
Electrical power will get stopped by storms. If the energy is flowing freely, you could have a problem.
Downed power lines are an issue after a storm. The broken line could be a danger because the standing water could carry the electricity.
After your evacuation, head home during daylight hours. This way, you can make sure you’ll have plenty of light to see.
If your electricity is on, be careful when using it. People tend to forget about standing water while they try to power up appliances.
You Might Have Contaminated Water
When flooding occurs, the contaminants will get swept into the water. You’ll need to keep the water outside your body. Drink bottled water.
Clean any open sores or cuts that have come into contact with the floodwaters. Use an antibiotic cream. If a cut looks like it’s becoming infected, ask a doctor to look at it.
Keep pets and kids away from the floodwaters. Make sure you clean toys that get wet. Throw away the ones that cannot get cleaned.
To clean the toys, make sure you dissolve a cup of bleach into five gallons of bottled water. Scrub down their toys and leave them to dry on the counter.
Clean up Mold
Mold becomes an issue after a flood. You’ll face the challenge of needing to kill the mold.
If your home gets flooded, the mold can cause an issue right away. Some people deal with asthma attacks, skin irritations, or worsened allergies.
If you have asthma, allergies, or a weaker immune system, call in a professional to help. You shouldn’t attempt to clean up the mold.
Stick to the Safety Guidelines
Once the storm passes, work with the local authorities. You’ll want to know about power issues, flooded roads, and other safety issues. The authorities will let you know if it’s safe to return after the evacuation.
Watch out for power lines that have gone done. Broken power lines and water can become a dangerous combination.
Be careful if you come across a downed power line. Call your utility provider right away. The electrical equipment in your home could also be dangerous.
Limit the risk of electrical shock by turning off the power in your home. Do this only if you can without standing in water. You should also call in an electrician to inspect your home before turning the power back on.
Inspect Your Home for Damage
Next, tackle the emergency repairs you need to complete. Tarp your roof or cover broken windows. The permanent repairs will need to wait until you have an insurance inspector go over the damage.
Don’t wait a long time to file your claim. Make sure you call right away. Claims get handled in order. A hurricane will increase the workload for the company.
You want to try and get at the top of the list. If you need legal help, consider a hurricane insurance lawyer.
Drink Bottled Water
Wait to get the go-ahead before drinking tap water. Assume that the water isn’t safe to drink. Stick with bottled water. Wait until you hear from authorities that the water is okay to drink.
Now You Know What to Do After a Hurricane
We hope this guide on how to recover from a hurricane was helpful. Now that you know what to do after a hurricane make sure you plan for future storms.
After a hurricane, don’t turn on the power. Instead, wait for an electrician to inspect your home.
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