Miller's 6 Steps to Storm Recovery: Flood and Wind Damage

American Red Cross: 1 (866) 438-GET-INFO or 1 (866) 438-4636

Step 1. Observe & Record

• Stay out if flood waters remain around a building: water can destroy foundations, cause sinking and collapse.  
• Wear sturdy shoes: most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
• Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities.
• Pile brush and debris away from your home: inspect the foundation, hazards, gas leaks, sewage and electrical system.
• The electrical system may have shorted out-  be careful!
• Open interior doors with caution: doors that stick at the top could signify a ceiling ready to fall.
• Take pictures: fully document all damage.

• Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
• Look for fire hazards: leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods.
• Turn off the gas at the outside main valve. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.
• Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company.
• Throw away food that came in contact with flood water: can cause infection.

Step 2. Get Organized

After a hurricane, call your insurance agent immediately to report claims!

Your agent will guide you in rebuilding & get an adjuster to your home.

 You'll need:

• Photos or video of the damage
• Complete records for insurance claims
• Applications for disaster assistance and income tax deductions (if not insured).

Step 3. Dry Out Your Home

•   Pump out the basement: pump out 2 or 3 feet of water per day- if drained too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside, causing the walls and floor crack/collapse.
• Move belongings out of water as best you can: expose to moving air & sun.
• Clean your belongings before allowing them to dry: flood water smells! 

Step 4. Restore the Utilities, Consider your appliances

• Unplug appliances, let air dry thoroughly: after 24hrs. plug back in,  if you see smoke or hear crackling, unplug and take to a repair shop. If powers on,  leave the appliance plugged in for 10 minutes, then turn off for 30 minutes. Repeat the process, leaving the appliance on for 35 minutes. Test appliance: if does not work, take to repair shop.  
• Refrigerators, freezers: unplug, wash the inside with detergent and water - wash the plastic gasket that seals the doors. Wash with a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda per quart of warm water. (Or, use a cup of vinegar or ammonia to a gallon of water.) If odor continues: spread about 3 ounces of powdered activated charcoal on a piece of aluminum foil or in a shallow pan, put on the refrigerator or freezer shelf. Foods can be stored with the charcoal. Keep the charcoal in the refrigerator until it becomes wet. Then, replace. Repeat until the odor is gone. Keep all foods and beverages covered. 
• Washers, dryers, dishwashers: unplug, pour disinfectant into the empty washer. Run a 15-minute cycle using hot water. Clothes baskets, work surfaces and clothes containers should be sanitized. Leave the dryer door open over night until all parts are dry. Disinfect a dishwasher as you would the washer and dryer. Leave the door open until all parts are dry.

Step 5. Clean Up

Wash and disinfect everything:

Chlorine Bleach Solution: 2 TBS. of chlorine bleach per gallon of hot water 

 Your insurance agent and adjuster will assist you to

bring in professional help for your larger repairs.

•  Use fans and dehumidifiers.
• Calcium chloride pellets and cat litter help absorb excess moisture.
• Furniture: scrub wet furnishings with bleach or household disinfectant.
• Clothing: Treat wet clothing with disinfectants; wash with hot, soapy water.
• Dishes/Silverware: Immerse glass, porcelain, china, plastic dinnerware and enamelware for 10 minutes in chlorine bleach solution, air-dry dishes. Disinfect silverware, metal utensils, and pots and pans by boiling in water for 10 minutes. Chlorine bleach should not be used on cookware: it reacts causing them to darken.
• Cupboards/counters: clean and rinse with chlorine bleach solution before storing dishes.
• Mattresses should be thrown away.
• Carpeting: Clean and dry carpets as quickly as possible, discard any carpets sitting in sewage-flood water. Discard carpets under water for 24 hours or more. To clean: drape carpets outdoors and hose; work a disinfecting carpet cleaner into soiled spots with a broom. Rinse with chlorine bleach solution (don’t use on wool or nylon carpets). Dry Area rugs as quickly as possible using a wet/dry vacuum and dehumidifier. Use a fan to circulate air above the carpet, if possible lift the carpet to ventilate.
• Vinyl flooring and tile may need to be removed to allow drying of sub-floor.
• Wood floors: dry gradually - sudden drying could cause cracking or splitting. Some restoration companies can accelerate drying time by forcing air through the fluted underside of hardwood floorboards. Remove hardwood floor boards to prevent buckling. Remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling caused by swelling. Clean and dry wood before attempting repairs.
• Vacuum floors, ceilings and walls to remove mildew, then wash with disinfectant. Wear a protective mask to prevent breathing mold spores.
• Ceilings and walls: remove wallboard, plaster and paneling to at least the flood level. If most of the wallboard was soaked by clean rainwater, consider cutting a 4- to 12-inch-high section from the bottom and top of walls. This creates a "chimney effect" of air movement for faster drying. A reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade works well, but use only the tip of the blade and watch out for pipes, ductwork and wiring.
• Wet wallpaper: remove all - leaving creates a breeding ground for mold. Consider getting a contractor or building inspector to check for mold damage. 
• Tree clean-up: if a tree or large branch is leaning toward or on your house, removal should be done by a trained professional.
• Broken Glass: tape the edges of broken glass with duct tape. Allow a professional to replace the glass, board windows if necessary.
• Hose down debris and mud left by floodwater, pile branches and trash to be removed at a later date.

Step 6. Prepare for Next Time

• Take steps to insure things go smoother the next time there is a natural disaster.

Do not ignore emotional damage you feel towards the loss from a major storm. Seek counseling, as this short term step can significantly decrease your mental recovery.   

Applying for Federal Help after a Disaster: 

• Before you can qualify for federal assistance, you need to file insurance claims that might cover the property.
• FEMA: If your uninsured property is damaged or destroyed in a hurricane, you might be eligible for assistance from the federal government.
• U.S. Small Business Administration: can make federal subsidized loans to repair or replace homes, property or businesses not covered by insurance. If you are a homeowner/renter applying for a Small Business Administration loan to fix your property, you must register with FEMA first.

• You will need:
  •   Your Social Security number
  • Your current and pre-disaster address
  • A phone number where you can be reached
  • Insurance information
  • Total household annual income
  • A bank routing and account number to receive direct deposit
  • A description of losses caused by the disaster.

•  Contact: www.disasterassistance.gov
•  Via smartphone:  m.fema.gov
• Apply by Phone: (800) 621-3362, Call TTY (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.

 
 Further Reading:

FEMA: “Recover & Rebuild”