Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Prevention

6/7/2016 (Permalink)

Hurricanes are a common occurrence in Florida during the summer months.

Knowledge, Prevention, and Mitigation

Hurricane season is here with us. It starts from June 1 - November 30. However, storms can occur before and after these dates. Annually, hurricanes cause massive damages to homes and other properties, especially in coastal areas. Over several months, during active seasons, hurricane damage can surpass hundreds of billions of dollars. 

Preparation, both before and after a storm is the main key to protecting properties from hurricane damage. Having adequate information on how to prepare for an oncoming storm goes miles in mitigating damages. Additionally, learning the steps to take soon after a storm, also helps in minimizing property damage. 

Before looking at how we can prevent or mitigate hurricane damage, let us first look at types of storm damage: 

Types of Hurricane Damage 

A storm must bring with them sustained winds of not less than 74 miles per hour to qualify as a hurricane. High winds are the primary cause of storm damage. They dislodge any parts of a building, especially those that are not securely anchored. They also subject buildings to fast-moving rubble carried along by storms. 

On top of high winds, hurricanes also bring with them heavy rains. Doing so makes flooding another common type of hurricane damage, which affects building at the coast and further inland. 

Hurricanes also notoriously produce hail and lightning. These two can contribute to power outages and property damage that can affect appliances and electronics at home. 

Preventing Hurricane Damage 

The primary thing to do is always be up-to-date when it comes to the weather. We should always take immediate action once we know a hurricane is likely to hit our area. Simply put, protecting a home means that we protect the outer ‘shell’ from becoming breached. Therefore, we must ensure our siding, windows, doors, and roof are all in excellent condition. 

Additionally, we should secure our garage door firmly. Plywood and storm shutters come in handy in giving windows added protection. Single-outlet and whole-house protectors prevent power surges from damaging appliances and electronics. 

Sump pumps are effective at protecting the lower part of the house from flooding. Lastly, we should elevate any sensitive appliances and electronics above the anticipated flood level. 

Mitigating Hurricane Damage

Naturally, predicting the occurrence of hurricanes is almost next to impossible. Even with a string of precautions in place, our properties are still susceptible to damage during storms. The good thing is that if we take immediate action after a storm, we can surely minimize effects. 

If the home has flooded, we should not enter until we are sure that gas and power are off to prevent injuries such as electrocution. 

Calling a professional service is highly encouraged as we get to assess and repair all damages caused by flooding, power loss, wind or fire. Professionals also prevent issues such as deterioration of furnishings, walls, flooring, as well as mold growth. 

After winds have ended and a hurricane has passed, cleaning up the mess is just the start. With stagnant water in waterlogged commercial structures, residential homes, industrial facilities, and retail malls, it is important to hire a reputable damage restoration company. 

SERVPRO of Flagler County has skilled and experienced professionals to restore a building to its pre-storm condition. Moreover, our experts in storm damage mitigation handle everything without disrupting our clients’ daily life. Call SERVPRO of Flagler County today at (386) 447-2202 to explore our variety of damage mitigation services including mold damage, water damage, and fire damage restoration.