Purdue Extension Service

Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Recovering from Storm Damage

By Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator, Vanderburgh County, IN

For the Evansville Courier and Press, February 15, 2008

We have had some severe weather pass through the Tri-State over the last few weeks. High winds and torrential rains have led to broken and uprooted trees, flooded gardens and basements, and damage to homes and other structures. I'd like to recommend some tips for home, yard and garden repair after dealing with the storms.

First and foremost, be safe! After any storm, treat all downed wires as if they were live; wait for trained repair crews to come and remove and repair lines. If a power line is in contact with a tree, consider the whole tree to be charged until the power to that line is cut.

Don't attempt to cut trees that are broken or uprooted and leaning on other trees or structures. These trees are called "widow makers" for a reason. Even experienced arborists can be surprised at which way the tree will jump as it is being cut. Again, wait for an arborist to come and take care of the tree.

Be careful who you hire to do repair work! After every storm, untrained handymen, con artists, and thieves swoop down into affected neighborhoods to make a quick buck. Yes, I know that you are way down on the list for having your tree pruned, and you're shocked at what's being charged to repair your roof. But let me please remind you that you get what you pay for. Anyone charging half the going rate to do your repairs is either not doing proper work, or using substandard materials.

The reputable arborists, roofers, electricians and sewer specialists are all too busy to cruise up and down your neighborhood looking for work. Beware of workers with out-of-state license plates, or no company name on their trucks. Ask to see their license, especially for tree trimmers in the Evansville area. Also ask to see their insurance information, and then call the insurance company to verify that the policy is still in effect. Call the Better Business Bureau and see what kind of reports have been filed for this company. Never pay anyone until the job is completed to your satisfaction.

If you've been flooded, there can be some health risks to consider, as well as the physical damage to your property. Water from a well that has been flooded should be assumed to be contaminated. Floodwater can be contaminated by substances from upstream, such as sewage from flooded septic systems or wastewater treatment plants, manure, pesticides or fertilizer applied to cropland that was flooded. Do not use the well water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or even bathing until you are satisfied that the water is not contaminated.

Purdue has a website dedicated to disaster management resources and publications, including those for storms and floods. Go to the main page at  http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/index.html and click on the link for storms and floods. If you have other questions, please contact the Purdue Extension Service at 812-435-5287.