Mother Nature can be cruel when she unleashes her wrath on the world. While we are not strangers to her violent acts, we can never get used to the life-changing effects she leaves behind. The spontaneous nature of these natural disasters doesn’t make things any better. You could be fine one day and mourning the loss of your house, possession, and loved ones the next. Let’s expound more on the recovery tips you can take in the aftermath of a hurricane.
1. Stay safe as you clean up the mess
Powerful hurricanes could damage buildings and cause extensive flooding. If the authorities give the okay, we urge you to be careful while walking through damaged buildings as the structure could buckle, trapping you within. It wouldn’t be a great idea to walk through flooded waters as the current could overpower you and wash you away, never to be found again.
2. Maintain written records
Before you approach your insurer, it would help to take not every item destroyed or discarded in the hurricane. These items could include foodstuff, furniture, and any tools in the attic or garage. Once you have everything in writing, place the document in a binder for safekeeping until you can present it to your insurance provider. Written records allow the insurance company to make accurate estimates of everything you lost so they can compensate you as necessary.
3. Take photographic evidence
In addition to the written records, it would be wise to take photographs that you will submit as you file a claim with your insurer. Even though it is evident that a hurricane hit your home, photographic evidence is still part of the steps you must follow when filing an insurance claim. Ensure you take clear photos of every damaged part of your home, including the cabinets, flooded areas, and broken beams.
4. Seek compensation for the damages
Now that you have accurate written records and photographic evidence, you can file a claim with your insurance company and receive compensation. However, some insurance companies could deliberately make the process harder for you so they won’t release the much-needed funds to cushion you while you rebuild your life. It would be wise to get legal help for hurricane insurance claims so your insurance company won’t give you a hard time releasing funds that will go a long way in helping you and your family.
5. Watch out for opportunistic disaster fraudsters
Some people are very unkind and are waiting to take advantage of victims of a hurricane because they know they are desperate and vulnerable. These scammers might scam you into donating to victims of a cyclone, promise to help you repair your home, or pretend to be a victim and ask for money from you. We urge you not to pay anyone in advance, even if they promise to do the services after down payment. It would also be wise to ask your insurer to provide a list of reputable and approved contractors so you won’t get scammed.
6. Help where you can
Unfortunately, hurricanes don’t choose who to affect and who to spare. The damage extends over a vast perimeter, affecting many families simultaneously. The only difference comes in the extent of the damage. If you are fortunate enough to experience some slight damage, it would be wise to help others who are hurt or are muddling through the debris to recover their loved ones. You could also share resources such as foodstuff and clothes with the less fortunate.
7. Practice self-care
The aftermath of a hurricane can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. The massive financial and material losses could also elicit hopelessness and despair. Taking a step back and focusing on maintaining your sanity during these challenging times is always a good idea. Ensure you practice self-care by engaging in relaxing activities such as a hobby you used to do before the hurricane hit. You could also resort to journaling or join a support group where you can air your feelings with other survivors.
8. Plan ahead for future natural disasters
As you already know, natural disasters don’t occur when it is most convenient for you. It would be a shame for the next hurricane to find you unprepared, as this one did. Therefore, it would be wise to prepare for the next hurricane. You could build a storm shelter in the basement and sign up for alerts that notify you when the next hurricane might hit.
Wrap Up
As we conclude, we urge you to hang in there and remain hopeful that your situation will improve. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to the people around you for social support because they are better positioned to understand how you feel.
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