As projected, the coastal areas were hit with strong storm overnight. Many areas had power outages, wind gust over 50 miles per hour and neighborhood flooding. Once the storm has passed over your home you may want to carefully inspect your dwelling for any damage.

First, contact some family or friends and let them know you are doing well. Check with them to see if they need any assistance. In storms such as this, your home may de fine but your neighbor's could be damaged.

After you are sure the severe weather threat has ended, safely assess your property for damages. When walking around outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. If you see power lines down contact local authorities.

As you start outdoors, bring a camera or smart phone with built in camera. Take pictures of what you discover.

Do not climb on a roof or use a ladder but simply stand away from your home and look for missing roof tiles or damaged roofing. Let a professional be the one who climbs the roof and gather details of the damage, if any is found.

You will also want to take a look at any outdoor furniture and vehicles that were left out. Check for broken or cracked glass and dented metal. Photograph any damage and contact your insurance company immediately.

• Always assume that downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 10 feet away and alert the police and utility company.
• Avoid standing water, particularly if there are nearby downed power lines.
• Where possible, avoid checking for water or storm damage after dark. If you do so, carry a flashlight instead of a candle or other open flame. This will alleviate the risk of a fire or explosion from a damaged gas line.
• Heavy winds and rain can create physical hazards such as collapsed roofing materials, window damage, collapsed walls

Look at your vehicle or other exposed items for hail or flying debris damage.

If you find any damage make sure to take photos before removing or repairing items. Do not throw the items away until your insurer has agreed to your damage assessment.

If your damage has caused a situation where you home cannot protect you against another storm (ie: leak in roof) call a professional to provide a tarp or temporary shield.

It’s important to hire a professional and trustworthy contractor to help you recover your home from storm damage. Poor or incomplete restoration will leave you with an unhealthy home for your family. Any time there is potential water damage, mold can begin growing immediately as well. It’s critical to address and remedy this as soon as possible to avoid additional damage and health risk.

A restoration company may take that responsibility off of your shoulders. Simply choose the company, and they will handle all communications between contractors and insurance companies and begin the process of storm damage repair. Check with municipal building departments about the company's reputation for past work in the community.

Experiencing storm damage to your house can be a challenging ordeal, but by staying organized and documenting and damage, you can take control of the situation and begin the process of recovery. Remember to prioritize safety, document the damage, contact your insurance company, mitigate further damage, secure temporary shelter if needed, obtain professional assessments and estimates, and work towards restoring your home. We live in a small and caring community who can help or advise you how to overcome the effects of the storm and restore your house to its former condition.