Flooding is a very serious danger for any home, whether it happens due to problems with the plumbing or because of a storm, such as the massive hurricanes that have torn through the country recently. A flood can cause massive amounts of damage, render the home uninhabitable, and cost a substantial amount to repair and get the home back in order. While you never want to have to deal with a flood, it is very important that you know what to do in case it ever happens. This short guide will help you to understand what needs to happen.
After the flood, it may not be safe to go back into the home immediately. If the flooding was serious enough that you had to leave, FEMA says that you should wait until the water subsides somewhat before you go back into the home. When you do, you need to be very careful and look first for structural damage to the property to determine whether it is safe or not.
Some of the elements you should look for include cracks and holes, warping of walls or beams, and whether there are parts of the foundation that are loose or that have been cracked. You may also need to contact the utility companies if you believe there could be problems with gas, electric, or your other utilities. To make sure it is safe to go inside, you will want to turn off the main power before getting into the house.
Next, you will need to take pictures and/or video of the water and damages before you make any repairs. If you were to do any repairs before you have your photos, there is a chance that it might reduce your coverage.
You should make it a point to get in touch with the insurance company as soon as possible after the flood. Something that you need to keep in mind is that most of the time, groundwater flood damage will not be covered by a typical homeowner’s insurance policy. The insurer will want to look into the cause of the flood to determine whether your coverage will help or not.
When you speak with the insurance company, you should let them know how bad the damage is, provided them with your images and video, and tell them what you plan to repair first. Be sure to follow the instructions they provide. For example, they might tell you to hold off until they can get an adjuster there to inspect the property.
The amount of time it takes to have the claim go through can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, including the extent of the damage. In some cases, the insurance company might not provide you with any coverage at all. If that occurs, and you feel they are giving you the runaround, it might be in your best interest to get in touch with an attorney.
If you are unable to receive money through the insurance company, that does not mean you have no recourse other than your own savings. There are other places you can turn to for help in these times.
Most of the time, people think of the Small Business Association, SBA, as an organization geared to helping businesses, not residents. However, the SBA has opened outreach centers in the face of various disasters and floods to help businesses, as well as resident victims who need to have loans.
In August of 2017, for example, the SBA approved a request from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to provide federal low-interest disaster loans. Homeowners through that offering are eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged homes or destroyed homes, and up to $40,000 to replace personal property that has been damaged or destroyed.
If you are in a flood, check to see if the SBA is offering similar services in your state. You will have to repay the loan, of course, but it can provide you with the money you need to take care of your property now.
In addition, there is often financial assistance available after a disaster through the federal government. You can apply for disaster relief assistance through the DisasterAssistance.gov page to see if you qualify for aid. You can also visit Fema.gov to see if they can provide you with any assistance. They have programs that offer the same loan options as through the SBA.
Once you assess the damage and you have talked to your insurance company and considered getting a loan to take care of your property, you must decide if you want to rebuild, or if you would rather sell the home.
Many elements will factor into this decision, such as whether you have flood insurance or not. If you have equity in your home, it might be a good idea to sell, as it can provide you with a large sum of money that you can put down on a new home. You will also want to think about the hassle of staying and rebuilding or repairing. It could be months before you can get back into the house, or longer. Look at the pros and cons for your specific situation and determine what is right for you.
Whether you rebuild and stay in the home, or you move to another home, you should start thinking about future flood risk. If you did not have flood insurance before, you might want to add a policy now. You will also want to think about the possibility of floods in your area and ways that you can help to stave off damage in the event of a flood.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store, and a flood might be in your future, unfortunately. Take the time to prepare as best as possible now, and follow the simple steps in this guide so you can handle the aftermath of a flood.
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