October 5, 2016

How to Prepare for and Recover from a Hurricane

IT’S HURRICANE SEASON, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS IS IN A COASTAL AREA, KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND TO PREPARE FOR A STORM THAT MAY BRING DAMAGING WIND, RAIN AND FLOODING:

  • Trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe.
  • Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property.
  • Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: HTTPS://WWW.READY.GOV/HURRICANES

IF A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM HAS HIT YOUR AREA, BEFORE YOU GO INTO YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS:    

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • As you return home, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires and weakened walls, bridges, roads and sidewalks.

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.

TO READ MORE ABOUT HURRICANE RECOVERY, VISIT: 
HTTPS://WWW.READY.GOV/RETURNING-HOME

If your home or business has suffered damage in a storm, contact SMW.  We will:

  • Meet with you immediately to analyze and help you understand your insurance policy, and what happens next
  • Be onsite immediately to carefully survey the damage and work with professionals to make sure no further damage occurs (which may be required by your policy)
  • Meticulously detail and inventory everything in your home or business
  • Manage every detail – from where you’ll stay tonight to complex business interruption issues to working with remediation contractors – to obtain the best possible settlement – and let you get back to your life and work

Swerling Milton Winnick

If you’ve had a fire, flood or other property loss resulting in an insurance claim, and need a public insurance adjuster in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New England or anywhere in the U.S. or Caribbean, call Swerling Milton Winnick. We are the oldest and largest public adjusting firm in New England, and our team of experts will give you personalized, 24/7 attention to successfully resolve your residential or business insurance claim.
If you’ve had a fire, flood or other property loss resulting in an insurance claim, and need a public insurance adjuster in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New England or anywhere in the U.S. or Caribbean, call Swerling Milton Winnick. We are the oldest and largest public adjusting firm in New England, and our team of experts will give you personalized, 24/7 attention to successfully resolve your residential or business insurance claim.