It's an unfortunate fact of life -- nature happens, and sometimes it happens to you. Four simple principles will guide you through the worst case scenarios of floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters affecting your home.
Be Prepared
Nobody likes imagining the worst, but the old cliche about an ounce of prevention is definitely true when dealing with natural disasters and your home.
Make sure to understand how your homeowner's policy relates to different types of catastrophic events. Don't settle for reassurances by a well-intentioned insurance agent -- it's what's in writing that counts. Knowing how your insurance coverage works ahead of time can relieve some of the fear and uncertainty if something actually happens.
Be sure you know the proper procedures for every type of natural disaster, especially if you live in an area prone to a particular type of event such as earthquakes or hurricanes. Make sure every family member knows their part in these procedures and consider coordinating with neighbors to make sure everyone's children will be accounted for.
Safety First!
If you are forced to deal with any form of natural disaster, remember to put the safety of yourself and your family first. Nobody likes the idea of abandoning their home and possessions, but as survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans can testify, sometimes it's better not to be home when disaster strikes. Furniture and other possessions are ultimately replaceable, but your family's health and safety are not.
Also be aware that in some situations, local police or fire marshals may not allow residents back to their homes immediately after a natural disaster strikes a residential neighborhood or structure. There may be a danger of unstable structures or utility lines to consider. As frustrating as it may be, these authorities are responsible for everyone's safety.
Afterward, Act Fast
Once any danger is past, it's important to work as quickly as possible to assess and minimize any damages to your home. Contact your insurance company immediately and ask for their instructions before you touch anything - you don't want to disturb anything that could affect their evaluation of the situation, especially if it could cost you money in the long run. Taking photographs of all damages is a good idea, as painful as it may be.
When you have their OK to start repairing your house, begin with the actual structure of the home, then focus on comfort of living issues, and save cosmetic concerns for last.
If your whole neighborhood has been affected by an event, remember that workers such as roofers, tree removers, and plumbers may quickly develop a backlog of work requests. Try to get on the list as soon as possible and schedule as many estimates as you can in case anyone cancels on you. Don't overlook issues such as warranties -- you may need the work done fast, but you also want it done well. For issues such as minor plumbing repair, consider doing the work yourself with some advice from your local hardware store.
Water damage of any kind is an immediate concern since this can lead to mold and mildew, which is not always visible even after it has taken hold. Large capacity pumps can be rented or hired with a cleaning crew for an area as large as a submerged basement. For smaller scale flooding, dehumidifiers are relatively inexpensive and effective. Homeowners in areas where flooding is common will find them a worthwhile investment.
Follow Through
Once life is back to normal, don't forget to follow through. Make sure repairs such as roofing and other structural work live up to the appropriate standards. Monitor any areas where flooding occurred for water damage, especially signs of mold, and consider running a dehumidifier on a weekly basis as a preventative measure. After a basement has flooded once, it is more likely to flood again, so keep an eye out during rainstorms and consider paying to have the structure sealed. With any luck, you will have your house back to normal in no time and the whole experience will just be a story to tell your grandkids!