1-800-Packouts, the nationwide leader in contents restoration, highlights guidelines for homeowners whose properties have experienced intense flooding—including tips for ensuring personal safety and for streamlining the recovery process.

“We’re well into hurricane season now, and even for homeowners who are outside the direct path of tropical storms, there can still be looming threat of major rainfall,” said Stefan Figley, president of 1-800-Packouts. “Between severe storms and plumbing mishaps, any home can be at risk for flooding, making it imperative for homeowners to prepare themselves with some guidelines and best practices.”

After a major flooding event, homeowners will naturally want to get back to their home to begin the restoration process as quickly as possible, but safety is always the top priority. Homeowners who live in a regional flood zone should wait until their city or municipality gives the go-ahead to return home. Upon doing so, it’s important to avoid floodwaters whenever possible, as they may conceal toxic chemicals or sharp debris.

“In terms of immediate safety, it’s important to temporarily turn off the utilities, preventing the risk of fire or electrocution,” said Figley.

Homeowners who have a flood policy are advised to begin the insurance claims process as quickly as possible, especially when regional flooding means that other local homeowners are bound to be filing claims at the same time, congesting the claims processing system.

Specific suggestions for ensuring a prompt claims process include:

• Collecting extensive photo and video evidence of damaged areas and submitting them with the insurance claim.
• Creating a list of damaged assets, especially high-value items (like expensive electronics) or items with great sentimental value (like family heirlooms or photo albums).
• Keeping clear records and receipts for any items that require immediate repair or replacement.

Depending on the severity of the flooding, homeowners may be able to attempt cleanup on their own, using wet-dry vacs to remove moisture and disinfecting surfaces to prevent bacterial growth. For more extensive damage, many insurance policies will cover a water damage mediation professional—though it is always prudent to review the specifics of the policy.

“For repairs to specific assets or household contents, including items with sentimental value, it’s important to ask the insurance company about bringing in a contents restoration service,” Figley said. “Beginning the claims process quickly can get a packout service to the home sooner rather than later, maximizing the odds of precious items being salvaged.”

To learn more about 1-800-Packouts, visit https://www.1800packouts.com.

About 1-800-Packouts

1-800-Packouts, the leader in property contents restoration, delivers expert inventory management, packing, cleaning, and climate-controlled storage services for homes and businesses during stressful times. Trusted by property owners and the largest insurance carriers to secure and protect valuable possessions when disasters happen, 1-800-Packouts is expanding rapidly to meet the growing demand for contents restoration services across North America. For more information, visit https://www.1800packouts.com.