Hurricane Michael is already on the books for being the most powerful storm on record in the Florida Panhandle. With winds that reach 155 mph, just 5 mph short of a category five status, Michael is one of the strongest storms to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Although the hurricane made landfall in the Panhandle, miles northwest of Gainesville, its destruction reached a wide swath. If you were affected by Hurricane Michael, our restoration experts want to help you safely rebuild, restore and remediate your home, business and property.
Depending on the severity of the storm damage, cleaning up afterward may take weeks. If you begin the process yourself, remember to prioritize cleanup tasks to reduce feeling overwhelmed and enlist the help of friends and family members. Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while cleaning and take periodic breaks to cool off.
Turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker or main fuse box if possible and only as long as it’s safe to do so. Look for broken or frayed wires and/or sparks but don’t attempt this type of storm damage repair yourself. Instead, have a licensed electrician examine and repair the system before turning the power back on in the building.
Make sure the electricity is off, unplug appliances, and allow them to dry out. Have a professional look over and test the appliances before using them again.
Any food items that either were or possibly were contaminated during the hurricane, such as with flood water contamination or a power outage, should be thrown away.
Clean and disinfect any surface, such as counters and salvageable furniture, with a bleach and water mixture. Protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves and a face mask or respirator. Throw away anything that can’t be thoroughly cleaned or salvaged with professional water damage restoration.
Take photos and video of the damage, such as with a smartphone, and backup everything to an external hard drive or cloud storage. Also, make a running list of damaged items you see or find during the post-hurricane inspection.
Most insurance companies require policyholders to make emergency repairs to reduce further damage to the property. This usually means covering a damaged roof with tarps and covering broken windows with plastic or plywood. Don’t throw away any damaged items, such as personal belongings, until an adjuster has surveyed the property.
It’s important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible so they can begin the claims process. Remember to provide information about the extent of the damage and follow any instructions the insurance company provides about storm restoration for the home or business.
A full-service provider for hurricane damage restoration, Maven Construction Group is available around-the-clock to help you restore your home or business to its pre-hurricane condition.
Locally owned and operated in Gainesville, FL, Maven Construction Group is a licensed general contractor, Angie’s List Certified Contractor, and is accredited and A-rated by the Better Business Bureau. Maven has delivered the best damage restoration and reconstruction services in North Central Florida for more than 15 years.
Certified General Contractor Lic # CGC1519003 Certified Mold Remediation Lic # MRSR2344