Historic Wind Storm in Dearborn

3/19/2017 (Permalink)

Dearborn lost many of its beautiful trees during the March wind storm.

Tropical storm force winds whipped through Dearborn in early March leaving a wake of destruction and days-long power outages. Spring storms can cause tremendous harm to your Dearborn and Dearborn Heights property. Heavy winds and rain can cause roofs and walls to collapse, damage windows, even fell trees and power lines creating fire hazards. Heavy rain can cause storm drains to fail, backing up water into homes. Excess moisture soaking into furniture, carpeting, and building materials creates ideal conditions for mold growth, which can cause health problems. 

Having a plan before the storm will help you manage after the storm.

Take Safety Precautions
Familiarize yourself with the placement and function of all mechanicals in your home – furnace, hot water heater, air conditioner, etc. Know how to turn them on and off. Keep your insurance and identification papers in a secure, waterproof place. A copy of your photo ID should be included with this, as you may need it to access other documents, bank accounts or insurance benefits. Create a system to notify all members of your household of emergencies and have a designated meeting place.

After the Storm
If you smell gas, immediately leave the area and call your gas company from a remote location. Beware of broken glass, exposed nails, and other sharp objects on the property. Trees and building materials may continue to fall well after the storm has passed. Do not attempt to move branches or debris, there may be unseen power lines electrifying them.

Contact SERVPRO^® of Dearborn to help secure your property and make it safe for your family’s use. Unscrupulous companies have been known to take advantage after mass damage. Be sure to check the credentials of anyone you hire.

Photograph the Damage
If it is safe to be in and around your property, photograph the damage so you have a record for your insurance company. This will make the claim process easy and help ensure correct compensation.

Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance agent to notify them about the damage to your home immediately. The company will send out an adjuster to determine the extent of the damage. This helps facilitates restoration of your property. Your adjuster and restoration company will develop a plan to get you back in your home as quickly as possible.

Look Into Federal Disaster Assistance
Depending on the magnitude of the storm, the federal government may declare the affected area a disaster. This action may make you eligible for low-cost loans or reimbursement to help restore your property. The cities of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, as well as Wayne County, have resources to help facilitate this.

SERVPRO^® of Dearborn provides 24-hour disaster mitigation service. We specialize in the restoration of homes and businesses suffering losses from water, flood, wind, storm, fire damage, and smoke disaster. Our locally owned and operated 24/7 service is just a phone call away. 313-359-3457