We are not foreign to typhoons and floods. In fact, according to PAGASA, 20 typhoons, on average, enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) every year. These typhoons can bring powerful winds and torrential rains which may cause severe flooding, damage to properties, and even loss of lives, and these are the reasons why the aftermath is just as bad. Cleaning up the devastation that a typhoon has left seems like a daunting task, especially if your house and car are severely impacted. This article aims to alleviate some of your burden as it provides some tips to help you in recovering from the typhoon’s ill effects.

Disclaimer: Trinity compiled the following information from different resources for the benefit of those affected by the typhoon. These respective resources were credited at the end of this article.

For Your Property:

  1. Protect yourself. As much as possible, avoid walking through floodwater, but if it is inevitable, make sure to wear thick and rubber boots to protect yourself from microorganisms that may cause various kinds of diseases. Also, use rubber gloves to protect yourself from possible electrocution. As much as possible, do not touch electrical sources especially if you need to stand in water. Seek professional help.
  2. Tread waters very carefully. If you need to walk or drive through floodwater, do not wade in immediately even though the water level seems low. Check first the current. If it’s strong, it still might cause you to slip. During cleaning, watch your step. There could be sharp objects hidden underneath the water. Drain the water in stages and hose out the mud. Properly dispose of the garbage that had accumulated inside your house.
  3. Take photos. It’s important to document the damage especially if your house is insured. This will help in filing your claims and the assessment of your provider. Take photos and/or videos before you start cleaning up.
  4. Inspect and assess for structural damage. You might have evacuated during the typhoon, so upon returning to your home, be sure to check the integrity of the structure. Check if the walls had collapsed or if the roof had been damaged. Also, check the floor if there were holes or sharp debris. If your locality is severely affected, it’s better to seek the help of a professional so that the soundness of your house can be properly assessed. Do not enter when you cannot ascertain that it is safe.
  5. Wait for all electrical appliances to fully dry before use. For electrical appliances that seem salvageable, make sure to seek the help of a certified electrician before using them. Make sure to dry them as wet appliances may cause fire because of electrical short-circuit.
  6. Let go. As much as you want to save everything you've worked so hard for, learn to let go of things that are no longer salvageable, especially household objects that could cause a short circuit given that it's been damp for days.

For Your Vehicle:

  1. When in doubt, do not start the car. If your automobile has been flooded, the last thing you want to do is start it as this could harm its components, thus leaving you with an even more expensive repair cost.
  2. Evaluate the damage. Evaluating and inspecting the depth of the floodwaters even before opening the vehicle is one of the primary things you can do after the flood. Doing so will give you a rough idea of what damage happened the vehicle incurred. The damage is unlikely to be severe if the water line had just touched the door. But it's a different thing if the water reaches up to the dashboard or the car is completely immersed.
  3. Take photos. Just like with your house, you need to document the damages incurred by your car because of the flood especially if you have a car insurance. Make sure to take clear photos and videos before doing anything as you will need them for claims.
  4. Do some initial clean up. After documenting everything, you might want to open the doors and windows and allow your car to dry-out. Do some initial clean-up by wiping the dirt and mud from the car’s exterior and seats and wash everything that can be saved such as carpets, floor mats, seat padding and upholstery.
  5. Seek help from a professional. Attempting to fix your flooded car on your own way can lead to more serious problems most especially if your car has been seriously flooded. It is still the best to consult a professional to assess the situation. Leave it to them; they're the experts.

A strong typhoon can cause extensive damage to your assets that are financially devastating to repair. Purchasing asset insurance is a sensible investment because it can help you overcome your losses from a very daunting situation. With the following insurance, Trinity may be able to assist you in protecting your assets:

Sources:

  • http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climate/tropical-cyclone-information
  • https://www.wheninmanila.com/was-your-car-damaged-by-the-flood-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
  • https://www.autoindustriya.com/features/my-car-got-flooded-what-do-i-do-now.html
  • https://www.realliving.com.ph/home-improvement/building-renovating/what-to-do-in-the-first-24-hours-after-your-house-gets-flooded-a00043-20180813
  • https://www.cosmo.ph/lifestyle/what-to-do-after-a-flood
  • https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/what-do-first-24-hours-after-flood/