What Should Knoxville Homeowners Do After a Hurricane?

As Hurricane Helene swept through East Tennessee, homeowners in the Knoxville area witnessed floods and roof damage. You’ve probably noticed overturned shingles or leakage, compelling you to call a Knoxville roofing company. These reliable professionals will help repair the damaged parts and rebuild the structure.

But would servicing your roof be enough after a hurricane’s impact? Let’s take Hurricane Helene, for example.

This fast-moving, catastrophic storm caused damage worth USD 53 billion. Reports suggest that it had a devastating impact in Eastern Tennessee, damaging commercial buildings, roads, homes, etc.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what Knoxville homeowners should do after a hurricane.

#1. Assess the Damage First

As of 2023, Knoxville City had a population of 198,162 people. Among them, many suffered as Hurricane Helene’s 140 miles/hour wind speed tore apart homes, causing severe roof and structural damage.

If you believe you’re one of them, it’s best to assess the type of damage before calling for help. Here are a few things to check:

Inspect the home’s exterior to find any visible signs of damage. Examples include broken windows, porch instability, missing shingles, etc.
Find structural damage to avoid hazards. Look for downed power lines and unstable roofing.
Take photos, shoot videos, and note everything about the property’s damage. Documenting these will help you when you’re claiming insurance.
Don’t stay in your property if you smell gas or see electrical sparks. Quickly contact emergency services to coordinate recovery efforts.

You should look for mold and water damage if you don’t find any structural issues.

#2. File Insurance Claims

Once you’ve figured out the damages caused, it’s time to contact your insurance provider. Every Knoxville resident must have life, liability, and homeowners insurance policies. Usually, insurance in this city costs an average of USD 2,509 a year, which is USD 73 less than the national average.

Follow these steps if you already have homeowners insurance:

Contact the provider and notify them about the damages.
Send proof and documentation to the insurance company.
Familiarize yourself with Tennessee’s policy coverage regarding natural disasters.
Hire a lawyer if you need assistance after your claims are denied.

You can make temporary repairs to continue living in your Knoxville home. Examples include covering broken windows, fixing leaks, and more. Do keep the receipts handy if you’ve purchased any repair materials.

#3. Hire Qualified Professionals

Even after a month, communities still felt the damage caused by Hurricane Helene as they struggled to rebuild their homes. Thankfully, the Tennessee government offers aid for disaster recovery and assistance after a storm. They usually help with:

Cutting fallen trees
Removing appliances
Mitigating mold
Clearing flooded driveways and streets

The thing is, hurricanes affect your roof the most. For instance, the winds can rip off shingles, damage your roof tiles, debris can clog gutters, and more. That’s why you’ll need a professional roofing company in Knoxville to make quality changes to the damaged roofs.

America had over 780,000 remodeling businesses in 2023, an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Therefore, you won’t have a hard time finding an experienced and licensed company amidst so many service providers. Once hired, they’ll begin fixing leaks, replace missing shingles, and rebuild the roof’s structure.

Cover Pro Roofing, a roofing company based in Knoxville, has some suggestions for homeowners. They can benefit from the following when choosing a Knoxville roof repair company:

Local knowledge and experience
Verifiable reputation
Superior work quality and craftsmanship
Excellent customer service

This company provides professional roofing solutions, including installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance. They’re committed to consumer satisfaction and will use premium-quality materials on the job.

Skilled professionals will use the latest roofing technologies to ensure efficiency and safety. They’re also focused on sustainability and offer eco-friendly roofing options.

#4. Other Things You Shouldn’t Ignore

These licensed contractors might also request you consider metal roofing for your Knoxville home. These are perfect because they are extremely durable (up to 70 years) and require minimal maintenance. It’s environmentally sustainable, versatile, and functional.

Once the roof is repaired, it’s time to focus on other structural issues. You can follow this list of repairs after your house has withstood a hurricane:

Address any wall cracks or weaknesses in the house’s foundation to rebuild its stability.
Focus on commonly used rooms (bathroom/kitchen) and restore the damaged ceiling, plumbing, and more.
Repaint walls, repair fixtures, and replace flooring to improve the home’s appearance.

After these, you must reinforce your home and safeguard it from future natural disasters. For instance, consider upgrading to metal roofs, sealing gaps around the pipes, adding storm shutters, etc. Do maintain your Knoxville property to help minimize structural risks and damages during weather events.

To Sum Up

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, Tennessee witnessed 114 climate disaster events between 1980 and 2024. As a resident of Knoxville, it’s important to understand and take proactive steps toward fortifying your house against such events.

Recovering from a hurricane can indeed get challenging. That’s why homeowners must effectively navigate the recovery process by assessing damages, making urgent repairs, and filing for insurance.

Don’t forget to hire qualified professionals for safe and effective roof repairs in the city. Apart from that, implement preventive measures to protect your Knoxville property from future storms.