6/10/2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After a flood, filing an insurance claim and beginning a safe cleanup are two of the most important steps to recovery, said officials from the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM).
Jimmy Gianato, WVDHSEM director, said a lot of flood victims in central West Virginia and residents in the flood-affected areas have asked about the process for recovery and how to handle a flood insurance claim.
“A cooperative cleanup effort is essential to restore the lives of everybody affected by last week’s flooding,” Gianato said. “I join FEMA in urging our residents to take the proper steps with cleanup and insurance to help get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Gianato offers these tips for flood victims:
A flood victim’s first step should be to call his or her insurance agent who handles flood claims. When you call, have the name of your insurance company ready because your agent may handle claims for more than one company. In addition, have your policy number and a telephone number or e-mail address where you can be reached.
Make sure to take photos of all property damage. If officials require that certain damaged items be removed from the property, take the items outside to be photographed. Adjusters will need evidence of all damages so swatches or pieces of carpet may be useful.
Make a list of lost or damaged items and provide their age, value and a receipt to the adjuster, if possible. The official claim for damages is called the “Proof of Loss.” In most cases, the Proof of Loss must be completed and in the hands of the adjuster within 60 days of the flood.
This claim includes a complete and detailed estimate of repairs and damages to the property. Adjusters will usually provide this statement to their clients, however, it is your responsibility to make sure it’s complete, accurate and filed in a timely manner.
Cleaning up after a flood is important to prevent further damage. Before entering the home or property, make sure the electricity is turned off until a professional has inspected it. If there is a hissing sound or even the slightest smell of gas, exit the house immediately and call the gas company. Do not use cell phones because they have the potential to cause a spark which could ignite an explosion.
Remember that hidden in the flood waters could be animal wastes, chemicals and sewage therefore it is important to use proper protection such as gloves or masks while cleaning.
Mold can begin to form 24 to 48 hours after a flood. Remove all wet contents such as carpeting, furniture, bedding and any other items that are holding water as soon as possible. If mold has developed on a piece of property, throw it away.
If an item has been wet for less than 48 hours, help to control mold growth by cleaning the surface with a pine-oil cleaner, non-ammonia detergent or commercial soap and disinfecting it with a 10 percent bleach solution.
Drying out the building’s interior can help speed up the cleaning process. Portable dehumidifiers are helpful and the cost of renting one may be covered by your insurance. Turning on the air conditioner may also be effective.
If walls are damaged, take photographs of the baseboard, and then remove it. Pierce small holes at floor level between the wall studs. This will allow moisture trapped behind the walls to seep out and permit ventilation so drying can take place.
Make sure to check furnaces and water heaters for damage. Although the water heater may work, if flood waters covered the entire tank there could be damage to the insulation that must be repaired.
Contact your local building inspections or planning office or county clerk’s office to get more information on local building requirements before repairing your structure. If you can’t find a local contact, call your state National Flood Insurance Program coordinator. Contact information may be found at www.floods.org/statepocs/stcoor.asp.
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000