When Disaster Strikes: Your Complete Guide to Emergency Restoration Preparedness on Long Island
Long Island homeowners face unique challenges when it comes to natural disasters and emergencies. From the devastating impacts of Superstorm Sandy to recent flooding events that prompted federal emergency declarations, the region’s vulnerability to water damage, fire incidents, and severe weather events makes emergency preparedness not just advisable—but essential.
Understanding Long Island’s Disaster Landscape
Recent events have highlighted the critical importance of disaster preparedness for Long Island residents. President Joe Biden approved the federal emergency declaration for Suffolk County on Sunday, after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the county. The powerful storm dumped heavy rainfall on the area, causing severe flooding that damaged roads and breached two local dams. This type of extreme weather has become increasingly common, with the governor noting “This has been the most extreme summer of extreme weather in the state’s history.”
The region’s coastal location and dense population make it particularly susceptible to various disaster scenarios, including flooding, hurricanes, nor’easters, and house fires. Flooding risks in Long Island City are rising with 33.9% of all properties having a risk over the next 30 years. Understanding these risks is the first step in creating an effective disaster response plan.
Creating Your Comprehensive Disaster Response Plan
A well-structured disaster response plan should address multiple scenarios and include both preparation and recovery phases. Disaster recovery preparedness is about identifying a recovery management process—who makes what decisions and how those decisions are made. It also includes having processes and protocols in place for recovery and reconstruction actions.
Essential Planning Elements
Emergency Communication Strategy: Discuss with family members what they should do in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane or severe storm. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Designate an out-of-area friend or relative whom separated family members should call to report their whereabouts.
Emergency Supply Kit: Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Your kit should also include water (one gallon per person per day), flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, medications, and important documents in waterproof containers.
Home Safety Assessment: Check your home and property for potential hazards to see what actions need to be taken to ensure your safety and to protect your belongings. Install safety features in your residence such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home.
Insurance and Documentation Preparation
Proper insurance coverage and documentation are crucial components of disaster preparedness. Review your insurance policy. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Many Long Island homeowners discovered this gap during recent flooding events, with some residents stating they had “homeowner’s [insurance] for over 30 years, but no flood insurance.”
Inventory household items with photographs. This documentation becomes invaluable during the claims process. Homeowners should provide their insurer a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged items and include receipts, like credit card statements, to show their value.
The Critical First 24-48 Hours After Disaster
The immediate response period following a disaster is crucial for minimizing damage and ensuring safety. File claims promptly: Homeowners should file insurance claims as soon as possible, and take photos or videos showing the extent of the damage. Make necessary repairs: Homeowners should make only the necessary repairs, like covering broken windows.
Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage, as the key to dealing with water damage is to act quickly. The sooner you take steps to mitigate the damage, the better your chances of avoiding further problems and restoring your property to its former glory.
Working with Professional Restoration Services
When disaster strikes, having a trusted restoration company Long Island on speed dial can make all the difference in your recovery timeline and outcomes. Professional restoration companies provide essential services including water extraction, structural drying, fire damage cleanup, smoke removal, and mold remediation.
Green Island Group Corp. exemplifies the type of reliable restoration partner Long Island homeowners need. Green Island Group Corp. has successfully completed over 5,000 restoration services projects in the New York State area, and we can’t wait to include you among them! Our mission is to help as many homeowners return to a safe, secure environment as possible. Green Island Group Corp. is readily available to provide services no matter the time of day. We are available 24/7 to manage emergencies related to fire damages and dealing with your insurance carrier.
Long-Term Recovery and Resilience Building
Recovery extends far beyond the initial cleanup phase. Many communities are not prepared for disaster recovery, particularly the rebuilding phase that can play out over many months. Learn which activities have been identified to help communities better prepare for their disaster recovery, and how recently developed guidance will help communities recover in a more resilient manner.
New York State has recognized this need and implemented programs to support Long Island homeowners. Creating the ‘Resilient & Ready’ Program to establish a flexible fund to support resiliency efforts for low- and moderate-income homeowners ahead of future storms. The program will enable State Homes and Community Renewal to assist households that experience flood damage to make necessary repairs in the aftermath of storms and will cover the cost of proactive flood mitigation improvements.
Building Community Connections
Individual preparedness is important, but community-wide resilience amplifies everyone’s ability to recover. The BeReadyLI Initiative is a collaboration between PSEG Long Island, United Way of Long Island, and 2-1-1 Long Island. The initiative is designed to help Long Islanders be prepared before, during, and after a disaster.
Stay informed about local emergency management resources and participate in community preparedness initiatives. The OEM is responsible for planning for disaster recovery and training applicable responders in disaster planning; providing training on new critical emergency communications equipment such as satellite capability for weather and emergency communications; aiding in establishment of agreements for related organizations and vendors to provide post-disaster services.
Taking Action Today
Disaster preparedness isn’t about living in fear—it’s about taking control and ensuring you’re ready to protect what matters most. Many preparedness activities can be undertaken before a disaster event occurs. Start by creating your family emergency plan, assembling your disaster supply kit, reviewing your insurance coverage, and identifying trusted restoration professionals in your area.
Remember, Stock up on emergency supplies and knowledge before disaster strikes. The time you invest in preparation today can save precious hours, reduce stress, and potentially save lives when disaster strikes. Long Island’s history with extreme weather events serves as a reminder that preparedness isn’t optional—it’s essential for protecting your family and your most valuable investment: your home.