After the Hurricane: What to Do

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Many South Carolina residents are cleaning up debris, assessing damage or waiting on officials to say when they can return to their home after Hurricane Mathew.

FEMA has provided some tips on what to to After the Hurricane:

After the Hurricane

·       Listen to local officials for updates and instructions. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

·       Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

·       When you return to the impacted area, watch out for debris and downed power lines.

·       Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

·       Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.

·       Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.

·       Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.