Take This Hurricane Season as a Wake Up Call

The 2017 season has already been the most expensive year for hurricane damage and the insurance claims are still being submitted. Even if your home is not prone to hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons, preparing a flood plan is a good way to reduce the destruction and trauma of a local flood.

Before the Rains

Read over your insurance policy to determine if you have flood insurance. (Regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover natural disasters such as flooding. ) If you don’t have flood insurance and you live in a flood-prone area, it may be a good idea to consider adding it to your plan.

• Store important contact numbers in several places, including your phone, car, home.
• Understand the difference between a flood warning and a flood watch. A flood warning means that flooding is happening now; a flood watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent.
• Have an evacuation plan in place in case of a severe flood. Your safety and the safety of your family should always come first.

When building or remodeling your home.

• Install electrical outlets above expected flood water levels.
• Install water resistant doors and window frames.
• Use flood skirts around your entryways, vents, and windows to help keep any flood water out of your home.
• Invest in a battery-operated sump pump to remove water that does make it inside your home.
• Keep sandbags on hand to help divert floodwaters away from your home or business.
• Use a water sealant on your foundation to prevent water from seeping in.

Tips for reducing damage before an imminent flood

If there is a flood warning in your area, use your time wisely to minimize damage to your property-

• Move any valuables or soft goods off the floor or low shelves.
• Lift valuable electronics off the floor when possible; protect costly possessions and important documents in a waterproof safe.
• Unplug any appliance or electronics and turn off the power. Electricity and water do not mix.

During the rain

• Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches of moving water can cause you to lose your balance and fall. If there is flood water in your home avoid walking through the water. If the water has come into contact with electricity, walking through the water could have severe consequences.
• Turn around don’t drown. Never drive into moving water since flood levels rise quickly. According to the National Weather Service, just six inches of moving water is enough to sweep away most passenger cars.

Step to Reduce Further Water Damage

You can prepare for flooding but we cannot control the weather and, in severe cases, all the preparation in the world will not stop floodwaters from entering or damaging your property.

• When a water damage loss happens, stop the flow of additional water but remember “safety first.”
• Next, make sure that the power is turned off if standing water is on the floor.
• Lift draperies off carpet and place wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Move all photos, paintings and other art objects to a dry area.
• Start taking your “Home Inventory” – Document the contents of your home in the water damaged areas, both on a paper inventory sheet and a video walk-thru of your home on your phone. Having your inventory completed will help to move your insurance claim along easier, in the event that your agent or adjuster needs this information.

Call in the Experts!

As you survey the damage, decide if you can handle the cleanup or if you need help. Not only do the professionals have industrial equipment to work faster and cleaner, experienced companies also work directly with your insurance company. A team that has “already weathered the storm” can advise you through the process to swiftly move your insurance claim along.

Professional Restoration Systems at (203) 309-4409 or pcssouthernct.com , serves Connecticut and one of their representatives will immediately schedule a crew to come out to your location. If you are in New Haven or Fairfield County,  a crew will be there within 90 minutes of your call.