Categories flood

Homes Seeking Recovery Following Tropical Storm Imelda

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On September 17, 2019 tropical storm Imelda made landfall on the Texas coastline. Recognized as the fifth-wettest tropical cyclone on record in the continental United States, the hurricane severely disrupted Texans daily life, until it dissipated on September 21.

According to weather.com, reported just one day after the storm hit:

“Tropical Storm Imelda formed, strengthened and made landfall in just an hour near the Texas coast Tuesday, but it’s not the first tropical system to spin up quickly near the U.S. Imelda originated from an upper-level low pressure system that dove southwestward off the coast of the Carolinas last week into the Gulf of Mexico early this week… The National Hurricane Center highlighted the western Gulf of Mexico for potential development on early Saturday morning, but the chances for development remained low through Tuesday at 8 a.m. CDT. That is, until the system quickly became more organized on Tuesday, with increasing thunderstorms bubbling just off the Texas coast. A tropical depression formed at 12 p.m. CDT Tuesday. It was forecast to become a tropical storm and a tropical storm warning was issued for part of the Texas coast. But it only took 45 minutes for that to happen. Tropical Storm Imelda formed at 1245 p.m. CDT, bringing with it a sustained wind of 40 mph at Freeport, Texas. Imelda made landfall at Freeport 15 minutes later, at 1 p.m. CDT, just an hour after first being designated a tropical depression. Since Imelda moved over land shortly after developing, it was not able to strengthen, but heavy rainfall and flooding were always the primary concern with this system. Changes with the system that became Imelda happened remarkably fast, but it is not the first system to develop quickly near the U.S”

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy reported that rainfall amounts were equivalent to Hurricane Harvey totals in some communities. “Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster declaration for thirteen counties in Texas on Sept. 19 as Imelda continued to wreak havoc on the state. Hundreds of people required rescue and evacuation support. In some communities, a shelter-in-place order was in effect due to flooded roads; officials were also watching for levees at risk of failing. The city of Houston and surrounding communities saw significant flooding, with many road closures. Some neighborhoods that were affected by 2017’s Hurricane Harvey as well as additional areas experienced high water in homes and businesses. Areas north and east of the city, including Beaumont, Vidor and Winnie were also impacted. A tornado was reported on Wednesday in Baytown, causing damage to several homes.”

One week after the storm settled, Texans are in recovery mode. Imelda was estimated to dump as much as 43 inches of water on some parts of Texas in just 3 days, leaving homes and families damaged and displaced. Sadly, reports have identified that five lives were lost in the devastating tropical storm. As for home destruction, specifically in Harris County, the Texas Division of Emergency Management identified that over 340 single-family homes were affected and at least 76 suffered major damage.

Looking at Recovery

Unfortunately, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, “There are 4.8 million homeowner policies in Texas, but fewer than 750,000 federal flood policies. That means less than 16 percent of homeowners are covered for flood damage in a state with 367 miles of coastline and ‘Flash Flood Alley.’”

The damage of tropical storms can range, depending on the impact from the storm surge, heavy rains, and winds. Flood damage can cause catastrophic damage and result in mold, electrical malfunctioning, swelling of wood, rusting of uncoated metal surfaces, discoloration of sensitive furniture, carpet staining and many more issues. Wind can result in structural damage, specifically if any outdoor debris falls on the home, such as a large tree. These issues can result in homeowners being displaced for weeks, months, and even years. In addition, businesses have lost their ability to operate and will need extensive time and capital to fully recover.

The total damage assessment has not yet been completed; however, it is estimated that damage will be more than $8 billion. The upcoming months will see large amounts of time and resources directed towards recovery.

Was Your Home Damaged?

If your home was damaged during Tropical Storm Imelda, and you either do not have insurance or you do not want to hassle with fixing the damage in your home, you can sell your home as-is. Contact us today to learn more.

Categories flood

Still Suffering Flood Damage? We Have a Solution

 

Did your home suffer flood damage following Hurricane Harvey and are you still struggling to remedy the damages? By this time, most homeowners have repaired the major issues to the home and cleaned up the carpet and flooring; however, there may be signs that water damage is still hiding in your home.

In this article we will outline where to look to see if your home still has water damage, how to prevent water damage in the future, and what to do if you feel a financial burden with all of the upcoming necessary repairs.

The Hidden Damage

You may think that water damage is an obvious problem. However, the truth is that signs of water damage can often be hidden in the walls and under your floor boards. To determine if you have current water damage, try looking for the following changes in your home’s interior.

  1. Changes in Texture

Take a look around the rooms to see if the walls or ceilings have any noticeable changes in texture. The most common changes that can be seen include: warping, which is caused by changes in humidity and temperature; sagging or sinking, which can be a result of rotting wood; or, expansion, which can be caused by swelling of wood because of too much water.

  1. Discoloration

If you see any walls, ceilings, or floors with slight discoloration, you may have a continued problem from water damage. Stains can appear yellow, brown, or copper in color, or may present as peeling paint or wallpaper.

  1. Odor

The most obvious, but sometimes the most challenging to pinpoint, is odor caused by water damage. This generally means that the mold has been accumulating for some time and represents a more severe issue, such as damage to the foundation of the home.

All three of these may be clear signs that your home is still suffering flood damage. Despite efforts to resolve the issues previously, the ongoing hassle of water damage can be quite a financial burden. If you are uncertain if there is still damage in your home try checking the most common places water damage can hide. These areas include ceilings, walls, floors, exterior walls, the foundation, and in or around appliances.

How to Prevent Future Water Damage

If you are lucky enough to have resolved the issues related to water damage, you may want to take the following steps to ensure that the next rainstorm does not bring on more problems to your property. Unfortunately, homes that suffer from more than one account of water damage can drop drastically in value.

  1. Repair any cracks in the walls, patios, decks or driveways. This will remove the chance of water leaking into any unwanted places.
  2. Ensure your property is graded so that the next rainfall has a place to drain.
  3. Check your window seals to guarantee water will not leak in.
  4. Regularly clean your gutters.
  5. Get your roof checked. This is one of the costliest repairs if damage occurs and can have the most impact on the interior of your home.
  6. Hire a licensed plumber to ensure all plumbing in the home is safe and secure.

These few simple steps can help you keep your home safe from the next rainstorm.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the current or potential water damage of your home? 

As mentioned, water damage can drastically reduce the value of your home. If it has affected the foundation, it may be challenging to find a potential buyer in the future when you try to sell. Plus, if there is a second round of damage, you may become upside down on the home.

We have actually found that most homeowners who have had water damage to their home benefit most by moving to a new home that is newly constructed and storm ready. We have helped many homeowners in their transition by purchasing their old homes “as-is” – this is, we allow homeowners to avoid repairs and upgrades by purchasing the homes in their current conditions.

We understand the frustrations that homeowners endured following the last major storm, and we are helping people prepare for the next one. Through our all cash buying platform we are able to provide homeowners an assessment for their homes value and bid a competitive offer on their home, ultimately assisting them in their next step to a safe and secure house. If you are interested in selling your home “as-is” and in reducing your stress, contact us today.

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