How to Clean Up After a Hurricane

  • Equipment
  • Water and Structural Issues
  • Deal With Mold
  • Disinfect Items
  • Take Precautions

Few tasks people will embark upon in their lives are as overwhelming as tackling hurricane cleanup. There is little guidance available about how to do this, and people might also be struggling emotionally if it is their home. However, by approaching the task in a methodical way, it is possible to get a lot accomplished even without professional help.

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1. Equipment

It is important to have personal protective gear. Anyone involved in cleanup should be wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots or other sturdy shoes and gloves. Depending on the nature of the cleanup, people might also need hard hats, masks and some type of eye protection. Equipment may include trash bags, utility pumps, a wet/dry vacuum, sponges, rakes and shovels, bleach and other disinfectants.

2. Water and Structural Issues

Getting rid of the water is the first step in hurricane cleanup. The Red Cross points out that basements should be pumped slowly to maintain the structural integrity of the home. The electricity may need to be turned off until all the water can be removed from the home, so it may be necessary to get a generator to run any water pumps. Before remaining in the home for any length of time, people should open all the windows and air the place out. Fans can help with drying. Items that cannot be disinfected and that have absorbed water will need to be discarded, including carpet. The flooring must be disinfected.

3. Deal With Mold

Dehumidifiers can help prevent mold, but many places will already have mold issues. Some material, such as flooring and drywall, might need to be removed. Bedding, drapery and clothing can be hosed down outside and then washed. Mold can be cleaned off walls with a solution that is one cup of bleach per gallon of water. People should wear gloves and possibly a mask, and windows should remain open while this is done. It might be necessary to call professionals in to test for mold. As The New York Times points out, some people whose homes were damaged in Hurricane Katrina had to have them cleaned with microbial spray.

4. Disinfect Items

Disinfecting is an important step in hurricane cleanup, and all items dampened by flood water, from toys to plates to clothes and more, have to be disinfected or thrown out. Caution should be observed when it comes to food, and any items in doubt should be discarded. There may be neighborhood disposal schedules. Appliances, counter tops, toilets, sinks and furniture must also be disinfected. Professionals should inspect appliances before they are used.

5. Take Precautions

The hurricane cleanup process will take a long time, and it is necessary to be patient. People who begin to feel unwell during cleanup should see a doctor. Generators and grills should only be used outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Dangerous items found outside, from downed power lines to car batteries, chemicals and more, should be handled by professionals.

Going through a hurricane can be difficult, and the cleanup process may be almost as bad. However, people do manage to clean up their homes and go back to living healthy lives in them. By following the above tips for tackling hurricane cleanup and observing safety first, a house can be restored to a clean and comfortable state.