Depending on where you live, storms can either be a mild nuisance or can cause devastating losses. As the owner of a manufactured home, it is critical to ensure that you understand the weather patterns in your location. Storms generally tend to affect the same areas, and a look in the past can give you a pretty rough idea of what to expect. Here is what to do with your manufactured home after a storm.
Safety First
Assuming that you had evacuated the area before the storm, do not return until you have a pretty good idea of what is happening back at home. If the area is still experiencing residue storms or is flooded, it is a good idea to be extremely cautious. Typically, news channels, especially local ones, will give constant updates about the situation, allowing you to know exactly what is going on. if it is safe to return home, ensure that you carry with you a picture ID as well as your current address. Given that there will be a lot of confusion (and possibly the risk of looters), law enforcement officials will probably demand identification before they can allow you into the affected area.
Assess The Damage
When you arrive at your residence, carefully assess the damage, with an eye on any hazards that may be present. If there are pools of water collected in any area of the house, you should avoid them completely. Avoid carrying any naked flames (hurricane lamps or candles) anywhere near your manufactured home. This is because there is a danger of gas leaks which may cause further damage. Another thing to look out for is electric cables. If you notice any dangling electricity cables, it is a good idea to notify authorities immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt to touch them or reconnect them.
Food Safety
Depending on the extent of the damage, there is a chance that power may have been lost for a duration of time. If this is the case, discard any perishable food that may be in the fridge. Further, if your manufactured home is flooded, you should ensure that all dry food that is affected by the water is also discarded. Canned food may be ok as long as the can is not damaged or open. If you have a source of water, such as a tank, check if the stormwater has contaminated the water source. If that is the case, then the water may need to be purified before it can be used. This is important as flood water tends to carry debris, including dead animals, contaminants from burst sewers, and so on. Not purifying the water can have severe consequences on your health.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
If you have home insurance, this is a good time to alert your insurance provider of the damage that you have incurred. It is a good idea to have an inventory of all your assets (lists, ownership papers, and even photographs) in a safe place before the storm. This will form the basis of the insurance assessment and final compensation. Although most insurance companies send assessors to look at the damage, you can also help by taking photographs of the damaged home for easier review.