Replenish emergency resources
Did you lose power? Did you utilize batteries? If Irene made it painfully obvious that you were not as ready for a natural disaster as you might have thought, you’re not alone. Something things you should keep handy for such occurrences are: Flashlights, candles, matches, batteries, battery operated radio, emergency rations, and a fire extinguisher. For a more comprehensive list, visit the FEMA hurricane site.
Inspect your home’s exterior
Do a quick visual inspection around your house to see if you see any damaged tiles, siding, windows etc. Storm drains and gutters can get clogged easily by flying debris and leaves, so be sure to get those cleaned. Damage that is not readily apparent might come back to haunt you in the future, so be thorough.
Look for fallen or distressed trees
If a tree has fallen, see if your home owners insurance will cover it, and if it is small enough, move it yourself. If the tree is bigger than 4 feet, it might seem like a manageable job, but you’re better off letting the professionals take care of it. Now might be a good time to take down the distressed tree, because if one storm weakened it, the next might uproot it and cause some serious harm.
Financial Help
If your home or business was seriously damaged, there is help available. You may contact the SBA which offers Disaster Loans for qualified candidates. Shelters are available for families whose home is deemed uninhabitable, you may call 2-1-1 for information on the closest shelter to you.
We hope you fared well against the hurricane, and wish you the best of luck in your recovery if you were affected.