You weathered the storm. Now what?

Being let back onto one’s property after a disaster or emergency can be an emotional time. It’s important to allow emergency personnel and first responders to do their jobs and follow their instructions. Unless you can turn on all of your utilities again, your access may be limited, but it depends on your municipality and the damage.

You may be instructed to boil your water for a brief period while governmental agencies confirm that it’s potable and safe without treatment. 

Before re-entering the home, do the following: 

Check the exterior.

· Make sure that there are no downed power lines on or near your property. If there are, do not move them yourself; immediately contact utility company personnel or law enforcement. 

· Check for broken tree branches that may impede access to the property, or which themselves may be in contact with power lines; again, enlist help in such situations to avoid a potentially fatal injury. 

· Make sure the perimeter of the property is secure before allowing pets back onto it. Natural disasters can be disorienting for them, and they may try to escape. 

· Check any damage to windows and exterior doors, as well as the roof, chimney, and other penetrations, but do so safely. 

· Check gutters, downspouts, and exterior drainage for blockages, and clear them as soon as it's possible to do so safely.

· It’s always best to document damage from the ground and contact an inspector who can make a more in-depth and detailed inspection. Even after you contact your insurance carrier, an unbiased inspection by a trained home inspector may reveal issues that are not immediately apparent. Such as hail damage, which requires some expertise to properly identify, especially if the insurance investigator must inspect damage incurred by multiple clients in the aftermath of a widespread emergency.

Check the interior. 

· Before turning on the water and gas service to the home, check the individual appliances to make sure that they’re undamaged. Document all damage and contact utility personnel if you don’t feel safe turning it back on yourself. If there is no apparent damage or telltale smells or sounds (such as hissing) emanating from any appliances, it should be safe to turn on the gas and water at their shut-off valves. Make the same damage assessment before turning the electricity back on, too.

· Securely dispose of perishable food items left in the refrigerator during a power outage. Ensure that stray animals foraging for food can’t access it. Some food left in the freezer may be salvageable, but always err on the side of caution to avoid serious illness caused by bacteria.

· Go back through the home to check for structural damage, including broken glass. 

· In the aftermath of a storm or flood, all areas for moisture intrusion, as well as areas at windowsills and exterior doors. Unchecked moisture can lead to mould problems and structural issues down the road. An inspector who is Infrared-Certified® can survey the home with an infrared camera, which can identify areas of moisture intrusion and energy loss that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Check in with neighbours and others. 

· Notify pet owners or Animal Control if you see disoriented domestic pets searching for their owners or homes. Also, avoid contact with wildlife that may have been forced from their natural habitat. Report their location to Animal Control.

Homeowners should schedule a meeting with an inspector who can help devise a checklist to prepare the house in the event of an emergency, as well as assess its condition afterward to make sure it’s safe for the family to re-occupy. He or she can also help the client get started on an action plan for repairs.

Post-Flood Guide

General Tips

Don't return to your flood-damaged home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials. 

Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.

Check for injuries. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

· Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports. 

· Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect a damaged home.

NOTE: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering—the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present. 

    · Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.

    · Be wary of wildlife and other animals.

    · Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies. 

  · Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads and sidewalks.

Before You Enter Your Home

Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Do not enter if:

· You smell gas.

· Floodwaters remain around the building.

· Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Going Inside Your Home

When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your home:

· Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company from a neighbour’s residence. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.

· Sparks, broken or frayed wires. Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or electrical panel. If the situation is unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.

· Roof, foundation, and chimney cracks. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.

· Appliances. If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or electrical panel. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.

· Water and sewage systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local authorities before using any water; the water supply could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.

· Food and other supplies. Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come into contact with floodwater.

· Your basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse, and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.

· Open cabinets. Be alert to objects that may fall out.

· Clean up household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also, clean salvageable items.

· Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of any damage. Keep records of repair and cleaning costs.

The objective is to stay safe. When in doubt, call for help.

Article by InterNACHI.