Storms in Mobile may bring high wind, heavy rain, and lightning, which may cause trees around your house to fall. As we head into hurricane season, it is important to know what to do if a tree falls on your roof during a storm. Knowing how to take action in tough situations and acting quickly to implement a plan may save your family and protect your house from significant damage. Here is a fool-proof plan for if a tree or tree limb falls on your roof:
- Evacuate the house.
It is always important to have an evacuation plan in place for dangerous situations, so everyone in your house knows how to exit quickly and safely as possible in the event of an emergency. Not only should you have an evacuation plan in place, but your family should practice the plan before a storm comes as well. Put together a bag full of emergency supplies, including important documents, cash, keys, and other indispensable items, to ensure you have everything you need to leave your home when danger occurs.
- Call the local authorities.
Even if the branch or tree seems small and insignificant, please do not attempt to remove the debris on your own by climbing on your roof, especially if the weather is bad. Climbing on a roof is dangerous even for experienced roofers. Rain makes roofs slippery and storm winds can be strong, making the attempt to remove the debris much worse. Not only are you at the risk for falling off of your roof, but you are also at risk of being struck by lightning. Once you and your family have evacuated and reach a safe location, call 911 and describe what has occured. They will then further advise you on what to do and may send someone to ensure your home is safe.
- Contact the insurance company.
Most home insurance policies will cover damage caused by storms. Once you report the damage of your property to the insurance company, they will advise you on how to proceed. They may recommend a local roofer or send someone out to quickly cover exposed areas and board windows to prevent further damage to the property. Take photos of the destruction as soon as it is safe. Try to capture as many angles of your home as possible, including close-ups, but be careful around the debris. Once the photos are done, present them to the insurance company to fully discuss options to financially take care of your property.
- Call a local roofing contractor.
It is important to have a roofing contractor picked out in case of emergencies like this one. If you do not have a roofing contractor picked out in advance, you may grab the first contractor you can find, which may end up being a huge mistake as storm chasers usually appear ready to help in emergency roofing, but often end up scamming homeowners. If possible, get a reputable roofing company to do the repair work.
- Secure your home.
If the limbs or tree has done a considerable amount of damage to your home, it may take some time before it can be repaired, meaning you and your family may not be able to live in your home for a while. While you are not living in your home, remember to lock the doors and secure the windows and everything valuable in case the home is broken into while you are away. You and your family’s safety should be the number one priority during these difficult times, trust a professional to help you through it.
If you need emergency roofing repairs, contact Azalea City Roofing today! Not only can we help with your roof repairs, but we also help with insurance claims and can assist you through the process. We are located in Mobile, Alabama, and serve the surrounding areas.
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