Florida Experts Warn: "Batteries Aren't Enough. Prep for What Happens After the Hurricane."
The Floridant/10313204

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Floridant -- With the Atlantic hurricane season entering its most active stretch and federal forecasters predicting an above-normal number of storms, Florida recovery experts are urging homeowners not just to prepare for landfall; but for what may come after.

"Too many people wait until their ceiling is leaking to start scrambling to find a contractor online," said Melissa Schneider, a Boca Raton–based renovation expert and hurricane recovery advocate. "If you don't already have a trusted Public Adjuster, General Contractor, and Mold Remediator in your phone before the storm hits, you're already behind."

Schneider says that after addressing critical storm safety measures, such as securing clean drinking water, boarding windows, and checking emergency supplies, homeowners should consider the following steps to better position themselves to remediate their home if damage occurs:

• Save vetted contacts in your phone for a licensed Public Adjuster, a reputable General Contractor (GC), and a 24/7 Mold Remediation service, so you have reliable names to start with if needed.
• To keep long-term costs down, make sure to select a GC who offers a free consultation, is licensed and insured, provides multiple estimates for work that is needed and will create a storm-response plan or priority agreement so you may be prioritized after landfall.
• Walk through your home and take time-stamped photos of every room and the full exterior (especially roofs, windows, and vulnerable areas).
• Print your insurance policy and highlight key info: deductible, coverage for water/mold/flood damage, and claim instructions. Store it in a waterproof folder.

And if the home is damaged after the storm, Schneider says these steps may help homeowners take control of the recovery process early and avoid common delays:

• Immediately call your licensed Public Adjuster to help document the loss.
• Next, contact your GC and remediation team-- mold can begin forming in as little as 24–48 hours, depending on conditions.
• Notify your insurance company (within the first 12-24 hours) to avoid delays in processing your claim.
• Retake photos of all visible damage before doing any cleanup or repairs.

According to data from CoreLogic, more than 32 million U.S. homes were at risk of hurricane-force wind damage last year—putting an estimated $10.8 trillion in potential reconstruction costs on the line.

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Schneider knows the consequences of delayed action firsthand. A hidden leak in her own home led to severe mold damage, triggering months of stress, denied claims, and predatory contractors. That experience pushed her to co-found Homes Innovation and devote her work to helping others avoid the chaos she endured.

"I can't stop the hurricane," she said. "But I can help people avoid the second disaster—the one that starts after the rain stops."

https://homesinnovation.com/