A tornado can be debilitating to you and your community. These powerful natural forces can hurl entire cars far away and leave a trail of debris and damage in their wake. If your community was unfortunately on the receiving end of a tornado, it can be confusing to know what to do next.
7 Steps to Follow in the Aftermath of a Tornado
Unlike other natural disasters, tornadoes are notoriously hard to predict. These storms reach ground and gain strength within minutes, wreaking havoc in paths that can extend over a mile wide.
So, it’s not surprising that communities that are in their way are left hard to recognize after the damage is done. However, there are steps you can take to recover from the damage and stay safe after a tornado.
- Stay Secure
After the tornado has moved away, check for injuries on yourself, family members, and neighbors. Keep a head count of everyone and make sure no one is missing or trapped. Call for help and contact disaster relief services. Stay away from fire hazards, as tornadoes often result in gas leaks due to damaged gas lines. - Wait for All-Clear
Do not leave your location until the authorities deem it safe. Tornadoes can often be followed by storms or more tornadoes, so you must stay informed via radio or local news. - Inspect Property
Once you’re in the clear, inspect your property for damage. Look for any vulnerabilities in the structure and safety hazards, such as exposed power lines and gas leaks. You mustn’t attempt to move debris, as this could result in injury. Additionally, do not enter damaged structures, as they could fall. - Document Damage
You must take photos and videos of any damage to your property, as it can help with filing insurance claims. - Clean Up Safely
Wait until the storm completely passes before you attempt cleaning up. It’s essential not to remove debris alone or with inexperienced help, as it could result in injury. Tornadoes can cause volatile damage that is hard to predict, so your best bet is to hire debris removal professionals to handle the hazardous damage. - Stay Aware of Insurance and Contractor Scams
Tornado victims are vulnerable to insurance and contractor scams. You must check for licensing and verify their credentials to know you’re hiring legitimate help. - Remove Severely Damaged Structures
Tornadoes can cause severe damage to buildings, and sometimes, the destruction caused can leave unsafe structures standing. You mustn’t enter these buildings or loiter close to them; instead, it’s better to demolish these damaged structures as they could collapse and cause further injury.
Takeaway
Recovering from a tornado can be one of the most trying times of many people’s lives, and staying calm can be hard. In moments like these, it’s essential to stay tight-knit with your surrounding community and have a plan of action to recover in its aftermath.
Every community needs some help, especially when faced with damage after a tornado that can be hard to tackle without the proper machinery. That’s why the Lima Demolition & Cleanup Service team has all the heavy-duty equipment and expertise needed to make sure your disaster recovery is as smooth as possible. Dial (832) 808-4755 to know more!