How Ocala Handyman Co. Can Help You Protect Your Home from Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are unpredictable and can cause severe damage to your property. Whether it’s a hurricane, a storm surge, a tornado, or a wildfire, you need to be prepared for the worst. That’s why you should trust Ocala Handyman Co., the expert handyman service in Ocala, FL, to help you secure your home against any potential threats.

In this article, we’ll show you how Ocala Handyman Co. can help you with storm-proofing services, emergency home repairs, and property assessments. We’ll also share some valuable lessons from Cedar Key, a coastal town that recently experienced the fury of Hurricane Idalia. And we’ll give you some tips on how to understand the risks and plan ahead for any natural disasters in Ocala, FL.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Threat
• How Can Ocala Handyman Co. Help?
• Lessons from Cedar Key
• Be Prepared, Not Scared
• Ready for the Next Storm?

Understanding the Threat

While Ocala is inland and not directly exposed to coastal hazards, it is not entirely immune to extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and storm surges. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management¹, Marion County is vulnerable to flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and wildfires. These natural disasters can cause power outages, water contamination, structural damage, and even loss of life.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand your community’s vulnerabilities and take appropriate measures to protect your home and family. You can use the following table to assess the likelihood and impact of different types of natural disasters in Ocala, FL.

As you can see, hurricanes and storm surges are less likely to occur in Ocala, FL, but they can have devastating consequences if they do. Tornadoes are more frequent and can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Wildfires and floods are the most common natural disasters in Ocala, FL, and they can pose serious threats to your property and health.

How Can Ocala Handyman Co. Help?

Ocala Handyman Co. is your go-to handyman service in Ocala, FL, for all your home maintenance and repair needs. With over 20 years of experience and a team of 30 skilled professionals, we offer a comprehensive range of services to help you safeguard your property from natural disasters. Here are some of the ways we can help you:

Storm-Proofing Services

We offer a variety of storm-proofing services to help you strengthen your home’s resistance to high winds, water intrusion, and debris impact. Some of these services include:

• Storm Shutter Installation: Storm shutters are protective coverings that can be attached to your windows and doors to prevent them from breaking during a storm. They can also reduce heat loss and noise pollution. We can install different types of storm shutters, such as accordion shutters, roll-down shutters, colonial shutters, or bahama shutters.
• Roof Reinforcement: Your roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a storm. It can be damaged by wind uplift, flying debris, or water leakage. We can reinforce your roof by adding hurricane straps or clips, sealing any gaps or cracks, replacing missing or damaged shingles or tiles, or installing a secondary water barrier.
• Flood Barriers: Flood barriers are devices that can be installed around your doors or windows to prevent water from entering your home during a flood. They can be made of metal, plastic, or inflatable materials. We can install flood barriers that are easy to use and store.

Emergency Home Repairs

If your home suffers any damage from a natural disaster, we can provide quick and quality emergency home repairs to help you restore your living conditions as soon as possible. Some of the emergency home repairs we can perform include:

• Water Damage Restoration: Water damage can cause mold growth, structural deterioration, and electrical hazards. We can remove any excess water, dry and dehumidify the affected areas, clean and sanitize the surfaces, and repair any damaged materials.
• Fire Damage Restoration: Fire damage can cause smoke and soot residue, odor problems, and health risks. We can remove any charred or burned items, clean and deodorize the affected areas, and repair any damaged materials.
• Wind Damage Restoration: Wind damage can cause broken windows, doors, or roofs, fallen trees or branches, or debris accumulation. We can remove any hazardous objects, board up any openings, and repair any damaged materials.

Property Assessments

A well-prepared property begins with a comprehensive risk assessment. We can evaluate your home’s readiness for extreme weather conditions and recommend specific improvements to enhance your safety and security. Some of the factors we consider in our property assessments include:

• Location: We check your home’s proximity to flood zones, storm surge zones, wildfire zones, or other hazard areas.
• Structure: We inspect your home’s foundation, walls, roof, windows, doors, and other structural elements for any signs of weakness or damage.
• Systems: We examine your home’s plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for any issues or malfunctions.
• Contents: We inventory your home’s furniture, appliances, electronics, valuables, and other personal belongings for any potential losses or damages.

Lessons from Cedar Key

Cedar Key is a small island town in Levy County that recently experienced the fury of Hurricane Idalia. The Category 4 storm brought an unprecedented 6.9-foot storm surge that inundated over 80% of the homes on the island and crippled its infrastructure. The residents of Cedar Key had to evacuate their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Many of them lost everything they owned.

Cedar Key’s experience holds valuable lessons for all of us who live in areas prone to natural disasters. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Don’t underestimate the power of nature. Hurricane Idalia was predicted to be a Category 2 storm when it made landfall, but it rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph. It also took an unexpected turn that put Cedar Key directly in its path. You should always be prepared for the worst-case scenario and follow the official warnings and advisories.
• Have an evacuation plan. The residents of Cedar Key had only a few hours to pack their belongings and leave their homes before the storm hit. They had to rely on their neighbors or relatives to provide them with transportation and shelter. You should have a pre-planned evacuation route and destination in case you need to leave your home quickly. You should also have an emergency kit with essential items such as food, water, medicine, documents, etc.
• Protect your property as much as possible. Some residents of Cedar Key took measures to protect their homes from the storm by installing storm shutters, reinforcing their roofs, or moving their valuables to higher ground. Others did not have enough time or resources to do so. You should take steps to storm-proof your home before the hurricane season starts and secure your property before you evacuate.
• Have adequate insurance coverage. Many residents of Cedar Key did not have flood insurance or enough homeowners insurance to cover their losses. They had to rely on federal assistance or charitable donations to rebuild their lives. You should review your insurance policies and make sure you have enough coverage for different types of natural disasters. You should also document your property and belongings for insurance claims.

Be Prepared, Not Scared

Natural disasters can be scary and stressful, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. With proper preparation and planning, you can reduce your risks and cope with any challenges that may arise.

One of the best ways to prepare for natural disasters is to learn from the experiences of others who have faced them before. You can find useful information and resources from various sources such as:

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management¹, which provides guidance on how to plan and prepare for different types of natural disasters in Florida.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency², which offers assistance.
• The American Red Cross, which provides disaster relief and recovery services, as well as education and training on disaster preparedness.
• The National Weather Service, which provides weather forecasts and warnings, as well as climate and hydrological information.
• The National Hurricane Center, which provides hurricane tracking and analysis, as well as storm surge and coastal flooding maps.

You can also learn from the stories of people like Jason Knott, Cedar Key’s postmaster for 13 years, who has seen his share of storms. He wisely chose to board up and evacuate his home before Hurricane Idalia hit, planning to return and rebuild. He said: “I’ve been through a lot of hurricanes, but this one was different. It was scary. But I’m not going to let it stop me from living here. I love this place.”

The same spirit of preparedness and resilience should apply to everyone who lives in areas vulnerable to natural disasters. As Lydia Hicks, a catastrophe insurance adjuster who helped the Cedar Key residents with their claims, stated: “People need to take note from what happened with Idalia. It was a wake-up call for everyone. You never know when the next big one is going to hit.”

Ready for the Next Storm?

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action today by contacting Ocala Handyman Co., the expert handyman service in Ocala, FL, for a thorough home assessment and storm-proofing services. We’ll help you protect your home from any natural disasters that may come your way.

Remember, when it comes to extreme weather, it’s not a matter of if but when. Be prepared, not scared.

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