Hurricane Water Damage: Prep and Recovery for Naples Homes

Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 to November 30, and Southwest Florida has felt its force. Hurricane Irma made landfall on Marco Island in 2017, and Hurricane Ian brought record storm surge to parts of Collier and Lee counties in 2022. When storm water gets inside, our team provides flood damage restoration in Naples as soon as it's safe to return.

How do you prepare a Naples home before hurricane season?

• Know your zone. Check your evacuation zone with Collier County Emergency Management.
• Review your policies. Know your hurricane deductible, and confirm whether you have flood insurance. Flood policies often have a waiting period, commonly 30 days for National Flood Insurance Program policies.
• Document your home. Walk every room with your phone and record video of your home and belongings.
• Protect openings. Test shutters and check that impact windows and doors seal well.
• Clear drainage. Clean gutters, swales and culverts so rain can drain.
• Service the AC. A clean condensate line helps when humidity spikes after a storm.
• Save key numbers. Keep your insurer, agent and our 24/7 line, (928) 394-5135, in your phone and on paper.

What should you do when a storm is coming?

1. Follow evacuation orders.Surge is the biggest danger. Leave if officials tell you to.
2. Raise valuables.Move electronics, papers and keepsakes off the floor and away from windows.
3. Shut off the water.Turn off the main valve if you're leaving.
4. Unplug electronics.Turn off breakers to areas likely to flood if you evacuate.
5. Bring in outdoor items.Loose furniture and decor can become projectiles.

What should you do right after a hurricane?

Safety comes first. Don't return until officials say it's safe. Watch for downed power lines, and never walk through standing water near electrical equipment. If you use a generator, run it outside, far from doors and windows, because carbon monoxide can kill.

• Photograph and video all damage, including the water line on walls.
• Report claims to your insurer as soon as you can. Florida's deadline for a new claim is one year.
• Make temporary repairs, like tarping a roof, to prevent more damage, and keep receipts.
• Throw out food and medicine that touched flood water.
• Start removing water and wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.

Is hurricane water damage covered by insurance?

It depends on how the water got in. Wind and wind-driven rain through a damaged roof or window are often covered by your homeowner or windstorm coverage, after your hurricane deductible. Storm surge and rising water are flood, which standard homeowner policies usually exclude. Flood losses usually need a separate flood policy. See does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Florida for more.

How do you clean up flood water after a storm?

Storm surge and rising water are treated as Category 3, or black water, because they can carry sewage, chemicals and bacteria. Wet drywall is usually cut above the water line, and wet insulation, carpet and pad come out. Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, then the structure is dried with dehumidifiers. Read what Category 3 water damage means for the full picture.

How do you prevent mold after a hurricane?

Mold is the second wave of hurricane damage. After a storm, heat, humidity and power outages make it hard to dry homes. Get wet materials out quickly, run dehumidifiers as soon as power is back, and keep the AC on. If a home stays wet for days, mold is likely. A mold inspection can confirm whether hidden growth started.

When should you call a professional?

Call a pro when flood water entered living areas, when walls or insulation got wet, or when you can't dry your home within a day or two. Professional crews bring pumps, dehumidifiers and moisture meters, and they keep the records insurers want. After big storms, demand is high, so call as soon as you can safely return.

What to throw out after storm flooding

Discard food, medicine, mattresses, upholstered furniture and carpet that touched flood water. Photograph items before you throw them away, and keep a small sample of carpet or flooring if your adjuster asks for it.