12/17/2025
Unfortunately, in our island community, heavy rain, high wind, and the trees we love in our scenery are often a recipe for trouble...
If your home has suffered storm damage, we want to make sure you have a list of practical steps that you should take to stay safe, and effectively begin the process of recovery and repair:
1. Prioritize immediate safety! Get your family and pets to safety first! Once it is safe to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity to the affected areas of your home. These utilities can cause danger and further damage to your home if the lines are damaged, broken or fixtures are exposed.
2. Document EVERYTHING before making any temporary repairs (tree removal, tarps, plastic, boarding-up, etc.). Carefully take pictures of all damage, inside and out. Use photos and videos that clearly depict your home, as well as the damage itself, featuring your house number is practical when possible. Make sure you still prioritize safety when doing so! Save all receipts for temporary repairs, lodging, and other related expenses too!
3. Immediately contact your insurance company and begin the claims process, the photo and video documentation, as well as all relevant receipts will be helpful in this. DO NOT conduct or contract for permanent repairs until your insurer approves them.
4. Contact a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor to examine the damage and estimate for repairs. It is always best if they do this in person, not utilizing photos from you or your insurance company, and experience matters! There may be secondary water, or structural damage resulting from tree impact or other storm damage that needs to be addressed, and they will likely suggest or subcontract specialty contractors such as electricians and plumbers as needed to ensure repair and recovery is completed properly.
We have handled numerous repair and insurance projects for our customers, and being proactive, prompt, and prepared is the fast track to recovering from storm damage.
We hope everyone in our community is safe and that your homes are sound following these severe storms, but if you need us or have questions, remember that our experts are always just a phone call away!
