Storm & Hurricane Damage Guide
Hurricanes combine wind, rain, storm surge, and flooding into a single catastrophic event. Each damage type requires a different restoration approach—and a different insurance claim strategy. Our teams handle the full scope from emergency tarping through complete reconstruction.
First-Hour Priorities
Step 1
Storm surge water contains sewage, chemicals, and debris. Standing water may hide downed power lines, displaced wildlife, or structural collapse. Wait for official clearance before returning to your property.
Step 2
Photograph and video all damage from multiple angles. Include waterline marks on walls, roof damage, broken windows, and displaced contents. This documentation is critical for separating wind and flood claims.
Step 3
Wind damage (roof, siding, windows) is covered by homeowners insurance. Flood damage (storm surge, rising water) requires a separate flood policy. The distinction directly affects your claim—document both types separately.
Step 4
Every hour with an exposed roof means more water intrusion. Emergency tarping is required by most insurance policies as part of your duty to mitigate further damage. Do not wait for the adjuster.
Field Visuals
These examples show the conditions and response patterns our teams evaluate during active storm damage restoration.
Storm surge pushes saltwater inland, leaving contaminated water and sediment inside homes. Saltwater damage requires specialized decontamination beyond standard water restoration.
Category 2+ hurricanes routinely strip shingles, tear siding, and breach window seals. The resulting rain intrusion causes secondary water damage within hours.
Emergency roof tarps prevent rain intrusion after hurricanes remove roofing materials. Our crews deploy within hours of storm passage.
Major hurricanes affect entire neighborhoods simultaneously. Our large loss team coordinates multiple crews across affected areas for efficient community-wide restoration.
Technical Workflow
This sequence keeps decisions measurable, documented, and aligned with insurance requirements and safe reconstruction.
We evaluate hurricane damage by type: wind (Category 1-5 scale), storm surge depth, rain intrusion points, and debris impact zones. Each category determines the restoration protocol and insurance claim strategy.
Roof tarping and board-up stop further weather exposure. Industrial pumps extract storm surge water. Saltwater extraction requires immediate action—saltwater corrodes wiring, plumbing, and structural fasteners within hours.
Storm surge introduces biological contaminants that standard drying cannot address. Full antimicrobial treatment precedes commercial-grade dehumidification. Moisture mapping tracks drying progress to IICRC standards.
Post-hurricane reconstruction often requires upgrading to current building codes—especially in Florida where post-Andrew codes mandate hurricane-rated windows, impact-resistant roofing, and reinforced connections.
South Florida
Storm surge is the primary hurricane threat along the Atlantic coast and Gulf-facing areas. Post-Andrew building codes (1992+) require hurricane-rated windows and reinforced roof connections. Wind mitigation inspections can reduce insurance premiums significantly.
North Carolina
Hurricanes reaching Charlotte and inland NC weaken to tropical storms but still produce damaging winds and extreme rainfall. Florence (2018) dumped 30+ inches of rain. Inland flooding often exceeds wind damage in these events.
South Carolina
Charleston and the Lowcountry face direct hurricane landfall risk with significant storm surge exposure. Hugo (1989) remains the benchmark. Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion during hurricane events.
Continue Your Research
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