The aftermath of a tornado hitting your house is full of overwhelming fear and shock. In the midst of the shock, the experience requires swift, informed action regarding your property and possessions. It is hard to know what to do after a tornado hits your house. Being prepared and understanding what to do after a tornado hits your home is crucial. This blog post covers nine things to do following a tornado.

1. Prioritize Your Health and Safety

Even during the chaos following a tornado, assessing safety before any other considerations is critical. In addition to caring for anyone who has sustained injuries, it is important to look for hazards such as sharp debris, broken glass, or unstable structures. Other immediate safety concerns include potential gas leaks and downed power lines. If you see severe damage or imminent danger, evacuate your home quickly and safely.

2. Communicate with Your Loved Ones

After a tornado comes and goes from an area, causing disastrous upheaval and damage, it is vital to contact your loved ones. Let your family and close friends know you are safe. If you cannot reach them directly, consider using social media or relaying a message through someone else.

3. Stay Informed about Weather Conditions

It is vital to stay on top of weather conditions following a tornado hitting your home. After a tornado passes, severe weather is still possible. Some storms have the potential to cause multiple tornadoes. Use battery-powered radios or other methods to listen to local news reports. Another way to stay informed is with reliable weather apps.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

A time-sensitive step after a tornado hits your home is contacting your insurance company as quickly as possible. Reporting damage promptly will expedite the necessary steps for filing a claim and receiving financial help to begin restoration or determine your next steps.

Your insurance company will need to send an adjuster to your home and property to assess the damage before processing your claim. Starting the claim process quickly can allow you to begin the repair process without delay and help you get back to everyday life sooner.

5. Assess Your Home for Damage

It is critical to assess your home and property and any buildings on your property following a tornado. Starting with the exterior, look for visible damage to your home’s structural integrity, including the roof, walls, and foundation. Next, inspect the interior; go through each room you can access safely, and carefully look for damage.

Notice signs of water damage like sagging ceilings or water stains. Part of your assessment should include utilities and your HVAC system. As you perform a damage assessment, it is imperative that you document what you find.

Common types of tornado damage to look for include the following.

• Roof and siding damage
• Broken windows
• Broken or damaged gutters
• Water damage to the interior
• Broken pipes
• Uprooted trees
• Collapsed fencing
• Destroyed possessions
• Chimney damage
• Bent, broken, or twisted framing

6. Document Damage

Documenting the damage to your property for your personal records is an essential step following a tornado. Outside of your insurance company adjuster documenting the damage, you, as the homeowner, should have your own verifiable records of the damage.

Documenting damage using time and date-stamped pictures and videos will help ensure you receive fair compensation from your insurance company. Taking time to record the damage can also help you assess what repairs are needed and serve as verification for disaster relief if needed.

7. Prevent Further Damage

Preventing further damage, if possible, is crucial for a smooth recovery process. Start by doing your own thorough assessment of your house and property. Identifying any immediate risks like broken windows, roof damage, gas leaks, or other dangers is essential.

If the damage does not pose an immediate reason to vacate the property, there are steps you can take. For example, you can start to cover damaged sections with boards or tarps to keep areas dry. Temporary repairs can also help mitigate damage while waiting on the insurance claims process to begin permanent repairs.

8. Hire a Restoration Company

There are advantages to hiring a restoration company. A professional restoration company has the tools and expertise to handle the task efficiently. They can also address damage like water damage or mold growth, which may go unnoticed by an untrained repair service provider.

Another advantage of working with a professional restoration company is established connections with insurance providers. Working with someone with connections with insurance companies can potentially speed up the claims process and ensure a faster settlement. By entrusting your tornado restoration to professionals, you can focus on rebuilding your life while relying on their expertise for restoration and repairs.

9. Care for Your Mental and Emotional Health

Surviving a dangerous storm, like a tornado, can be a traumatic experience for both adults and children alike. It can be especially traumatic if your home was destroyed or you lost loved ones during the storm. It is important that you take time to grieve and heal. In some cases, seeking professional help is necessary to work through the emotional impacts of surviving a destructive tornado.

Contact National Catastrophe Restoration

Tornados are one of the world’s most common and dangerous natural disasters. They have a high occurrence rate in particular regions of the United States like the Midwest.

We never want you to feel like you are facing the aftermath of a tornado alone. At National Catastrophe Restoration, we offer many services to support you if a tornado destroys your property.

We have one of the largest networks of rapid response personnel and equipment, with a 24/7/365 communications team on standby. You can reach us all day, every day to mobilize services to help you mitigate the damage to your home. Contact us today to request a quote if you need disaster recovery and restoration services.