News release from Catawba County Government:
Response crews are currently assisting residents and assessing damage in Catawba County in the wake of Helene. Significant flooding occurred in the Lookout Shoals area, and a large number of residents remain without power. For information about what to do if power is out for an extended period of time, go to this link for resources Catawba County – Catawba County Government – Catawba County North Carolina
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows. Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.Leave one light on to show when the power has been turned back on. Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
Find the electrical circuit box. Turn off individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit. Try not to use candles. They are fire hazards. If you see downed power lines, assume they are energized and stay away from them. Then call the service company to report it.
If disaster does strike your home or vehicle:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim and arrange a visit from an adjuster. You must do this first before you file any other claim.
- Before doing any repairs to your house, take pictures and make a list of the damage.
- Protect your home from more damage by making short-term repairs only. You need to wait until your insurance company can tell you what else you need to do. Save any receipts for items bought for repairs.
- Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property. Wait until you and the insurance company have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs.
- Rent short-term shelter if needed. If you cannot live in your home, most homeowner’s policies pay extra living expenses while your property is being fixed. Before renting short-term shelter, check with your insurance company or agent to decide what expenses the company will pay you back.
- Unless you have extra coverage with your homeowner’s policy, food lost in a power outage is probably not covered. Think about buying an endorsement to cover food losses in the future.
- Most damage to your home or nearby buildings resulting from fallen trees is covered by your homeowner’s policy. Check with your agent or company before calling the tree removal service. Tree removal costs may be covered.
- Damage to your vehicles resulting from fallen trees or debris may be covered by your auto policy if you have comprehensive coverage. Check with your agent to determine whether your vehicle is covered.
- A homeowner’s policy does not cover flooding! The only way to protect your property from flood losses is to get flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program. Policies must be in place for 30 days before coverage takes effect. Contact your agent for more information.
More on Catawba County Offers Update, Storm Recovery Tips available on WHKY.
