Tips for Storm Clean-up

August 30, 2011

The Public Advocate's Department of Constituent Services has compiled the following list of tips and frequently asked questions to assist New Yorkers with clean up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

We also encourage New Yorkers to refer to the NYC Office of Emergency Management and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's "Recovering After Hurricane Irene" guide, which is available at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdf

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Who should I contact to report storm damage or flooding in my community?
2. Will my homeowners or renters insurance cover storm and flood damage?
3. How do I file an insurance claim?
4. I am a renter and my furniture was damaged, can I make a claim?
5. What should I do if I have water in my basement?
6. What should I do after I drain my basement?
7. How do I clean up mold?
8. If I am a food stamp recipient and I lost food during the storm can I get additional assistance?
9. How can I learn more about storm-related government assistance programs?

To download, a full copy of this document, click here: 
http://advocate.nyc.gov/files/PATips-StormCleanup.pdf


1. Who should I contact to report storm damage or
flooding in my community?

New Yorkers can report flooding, downed trees, unstable sidewalk sheds or scaffolds, or other storm-related clean-up needs by calling 311. 

The City is also collecting reports from homes and business owners whose property was damaged during Hurricane Irene. The information will be used to help the City estimate the storm's total effect on city residents and employees, which is necessary for the City to qualify for disaster relief assistance. To file a damage report online, visit http://on.nyc.gov/ofrMsp

Source: NYC Office of Emergency Management (http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml)


2. Will my homeowners or renters insurance cover storm and flood damage?

Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flooding, but it may cover other types of water damage from storms. For insurance purposes, flooding generally refers to water that enters your house at the ground level as the result of the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Water damage, by contrast, occurs when water damages your home before coming in contact with the ground (for example, if rain soaks through your roof).

Source: National Flood Insurance Program (http://www.floodsmart.gov), Insurance Buyers Guide (http://www.insbuyer.com/floodinsurance.htm)


3. How do I file an insurance claim?

  • Contact your agent or company representative to prepare a Notice of Loss form. It is important to begin this process immediately. All flood insurance policies require you to give prompt written notice of loss.
  • Separate damaged items from non-damaged items. Don’t throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it.
  • Make a room-by-room inventory of the damaged items, including pictures or a description, the cost, brand name and model.
  • Create a list of any structural damage to show the adjuster. If possible, photograph the outside of the premises, showing any damage or flooding. Also, photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged property and the height of the water if your property was flooded.
  • Arrange a visit with an adjuster from the insurance company. Generally, your adjuster will contact you within 24-48 hours after receiving your notice of loss. When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if you need an advance or partial payment of loss.
  • Your claim is payable after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer receives your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss.

Source: National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Claims Handbook, FEMA F-687, February 2009 (http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184) and FEMA’s Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim (http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtm)


4. I am a renter and my furniture was damaged, can I make a claim?

Please contact 311 and your landlord to report the flooding and damage. If your landlord has flood insurance, you may be covered. Alternatively, if you purchased flood insurance, contact your insurance company and follow the instructions above.

You may also qualify for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in which non-housing needs that were damaged (i.e. clothing, a car, furniture, etc) can be repaired or purchased. For more information, visit: www.fema.gov or contact the FEMA Helpline at 1‐800‐621‐FEMA. To see if you are eligible for assistance, you can take an anonymous pre-screening questionnaire online at: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/


5. What should I do if I have water in my basement?

If your basement is severely flooded, take precautions before pumping out the water. Water in your basement may be helping to stabilize the basement walls against pressure from the outside. If you drain your basement too quickly, the outsize pressure can cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse.

  • Be sure the electricity is off before entering a flooded basement. For insurance purposes, it’s also a good idea to take pictures of the flooding before beginning work.
  • When the water is no longer covering the ground surrounding your house, you can begin pumping the water from your basement. CAUTION: Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors as they produce deadly carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.
  • In the case of severe flooding, pump out the water in stages. Decrease water level by 2 to 3 feet, mark the water level, and wait overnight. If the water went back up overnight and covered your mark, it’s too early to drain your basement. In these cases, wait another 24 hours and repeat this process.

Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division and Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml)


6. What should I do after I drain my basement?

Drying and disinfecting your basement is critically important to prevent the growth of dangerous mold.

Use a shovel to remove any mud from your basement. Mud left behind by floodwaters poses a health hazard and will be more difficult to remove after it dries.

  • Wash off the walls and floors with clean water and then disinfect them with a solution of 1 ½ cups of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water. CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This will produce deadly chlorine gas.
  • Clean and disinfect all vents or registers of heating and air conditioning ducts, the wall covers for wall switches and outlets, and any flexible ducting, including dryer connections that were exposed to water.
  • Check your water system, including drains and utility connections, for leaks, breaks, and loose fittings.
  • Before turning on the electricity, check your incoming electrical service for any damage. Replace any wiring, switches and/or outlets that were submerged or got wet during the flood. We recommend you retain the services of a certified professional.
  • To help dry out your home and reduce odors, run fans and dehumidifiers.
  • Depending on the severity of flooding and type of the building materials used in your basement, all or part of your walls may need to be replaced. Wallboard that has been soaked by floodwater can present a permanent health hazard. Plaster and paneling can often be saved, but you will need to get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills.

Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division; Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml); NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdf); and the Red Cross and FEMA, Repairing Your Flooded Home


7. How do I clean up mold?

Exposure to mold can have serious health effects including allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. It is important to clean up mold as soon as you notice it to prevent serious problems.

  • For small amounts of mold (less than 3 feet by 3 feet), you should be able to handle the clean-up yourself. For large jobs or if you have any mold allergies, you should contact a certified professional who has experience with mold removal. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, a professional is also highly recommended.
  • Wear waterproof gloves, goggles and a face mask when cleaning.
  • Scrubbing the mold off hard surfaces using soap or a detergent and water, then dry completely
  • Throw away anything that touches the mold, including absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet.
  • Keep a close eye on surfaces to ensure that the mold does not come back. If mold continues to reappear, consult a professional.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ehs/ehsfloods.shtml)


8. If I am a food stamp recipient and I lost food during the storm can I get additional assistance?

If you are receiving food stamps and you lost food that you purchased with your food stamp benefit during the storm, you can be reimbursed for the monetary value of that food. To request replacement benefits, you must report the loss at a local food stamp center within ten days of the loss, and follow up by completing a request form (ldss-2291) within ten days of your reporting the loss.

For assistance, call the Food Bank for New York City at 212.894.8060 or download the request form at: http://bit.ly/nEou09

Source: Food Bank for New York (http://www.foodbanknyc.org/news/hurricane-irene-food-stamp-replacement-n...)


9. How can I learn more about storm-related government assistance programs?

To see if you qualify for government assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, please visit: www.fema.gov or contact the FEMA Helpline at 1‐800‐621‐FEMA. To take an anonymous pre-screening questionnaire online, visit http://www.disasterassistance.gov/