A natural disaster can be loud and obvious, like a tornado siren or an earthquake that makes the whole house feel like it’s moving. But of course, sometimes it’s not so heart racing, it could be more of a “slow burn” like dealing with a blizzard, ice storm, flooding, and even a wind storm doesn’t seem so bad until you check the next day and there’s a damp room in your house. 

And of course, something during it, even if it only lasts a few minutes, can feel like an eternity. That adrenaline hits, the nerves spike, and the brain starts doing that thing where it races through worst-case scenarios while trying to act calm on the outside. You’re already dealing with a lot during the event, and during this disaster, people can be badly harmed during these. And who’s sure, once it passes, you and your family are okay, the damage still isn’t over. So, what now?

Just Make Sure the Home is Actually Safe First

Before checking damage, make sure the basics are safe. If there’s standing water near outlets, downed power lines, a strong smell of gas, or structural damage that looks serious, that’s not a “deal with it later” situation. If you’re able to (as lines might be tied up right now), you’ll absolutely need to call for backup, the right people, professionals. It’s hard to say when said thing can get done because it depends on the severity. 

But try and abook an appointment ASAP (but also keep in mind these professionals have personal lives and also just dealt with this disaster too). 

Go Ahead and Do a Quick Exterior Walkaround

Now, sure, it’s tempting to go straight to clean-up mode and start dragging branches to the curb. Who wouldn’t do that? But a quick lap around the house can save a lot of trouble later. So, some things you might want to look at would be the roofline from the ground, because of missing shingles or roof tiles. Do you see lifted edges? How about bent flashing? 

Usually, the roof is first to take damage, then gutters and downspouts tend to be next in line. Of course ther’s the obvious bits to look at, like your fence, because a lot of people need fence repair services after nasty, strong winds. Also, be sure to look at trees, windows, siding, sills, and gutters, well, anything outside the house that could be potentially affected. You absolutely need to be thorough if you can, because the last thing you want is days or weeks later, and something just shows up. Sometimes, homeowners’ insurance would immediately count that as negligence. Speaking of which…

Review Coverage and Start the Paperwork Early

Oh yeah, this part definitely isn’t fun, but it’s pretty obvious here that it matters. So, homeowners’ insurance sometimes covers natural disasters, but it really depends on the policy, the type of event, and the specific damage. So it’s worth reviewing coverage early, not after money is already being spent and stress is already high. If a claim might be needed, starting the process sooner can help, because after major events, contractors and adjusters get booked fast.