Hurricane season threatens Florida residents every year with debilitating tropical storms. Most years, people make it through the season unscathed, but the occasional storm like Hurricane Ian sweeps through and destroys thousands of houses. Coastal vacation homes often face the heaviest damage.

Here are six tips for dealing with storm damage in your vacation home.

1. Photograph the Damage

Once the storm blows over and it’s safe to return to your home, walk around the property and photograph the various forms of damage. Gathering this information will help you file a successful insurance claim. The photos will also be useful for the professional repair services your provider chooses.

Start by taking pictures of the roof, siding, windows and doors. Chances are those exterior features took the majority of the damage, so your insurance provider needs to see specific details. Here are some things you must be sure to photograph:

Holes, cracks and dents
Split seams
Missing shingles
Broken glass
Discoloration

Make sure your home is safe to enter before going inside for pictures. Unstable structures or invisible gas leaks could be lingering threats. Once it’s safe, take photos of standing water, broken appliances and other interior damage.

2. Make Your Insurance Claim ASAP

Call to make your insurance claim as soon as you document your home’s substantial damage. Many other people in your area will be doing the same thing in the next few days, so you need to get ahead of the crowd to receive timely coverage. If you had to wait out the storm at a hotel, keep the receipts so your provider can cover the costs.

3. Dry Out the Interior

Start the repair process by opening the windows and drying out the interior. If wet furniture is salvageable, take it outside and let it air-dry. Fire up some house fans and increase air circulation to prevent mold growth on the floors and walls. Mold appears days or weeks after water damage goes unchecked, so your insurance provider isn’t likely to cover it.

4. Determine if DIY Repairs Are Possible

Some DIY repair jobs might be possible without a professional service. You could clean up the yard, patch broken windows or make minor roof repairs. Clogged gutters make your home more susceptible to flooding, so you should unclog them immediately to prevent further damage over the next few weeks. These small fixes can help simplify your insurance claim.

However, as a general rule, it’s best to leave electrical repairs to the professionals. Check with your provider before starting any major projects, because they may want to hire a specialist for the job.

5. Inspect Appliances One at a Time

As you inspect your electrical appliances, make sure to turn them on one at a time. Using many electronics simultaneously after a power outage could harm the machines and your house’s wiring system. Take things slowly, and don’t use anything with apparent water damage.

Pay extra close attention to your HVAC system. It might seem fine on the surface, but it could be hiding mold, bacteria and other water damage that will ruin your home’s air quality. It’s better to rely on different air conditioning sources until a professional confirms the system’s safety.

6. Make Preparations for the Next Storm

Now that you know your home’s greatest vulnerabilities, you can prepare better for the next storm. Here are some crucial steps you should take to protect your home:

Reinforce the most exposed areas, including the roof, entry points, garage, basement, pipes and cables.

Put all loose outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture and potted plants, in a safe indoor space, or anchor them to the ground with a secure device.

Trim the vegetation to prevent damage from tree branches.
Invest in a second energy source, such as a surge protector, in case your home loses power for an extended period.

Coastal Florida homes get at least one nasty thunderstorm every hurricane season, so your efforts won’t go to waste.

Keep Your Vacation Home Safe

You won’t be able to stop a hurricane from bludgeoning your vacation home, but you can take steps to minimize the damage. If and when a storm like Hurricane Ian hits again, remember these key tips to protect your assets and get your house back to normal.