Tips for the storm’s aftermath

General precautions

Watch out for debris-filled streets and weakened bridges.

Avoid downed power lines and trees entangled in power lines.

Check for electrical damage inside your home: frayed wires, sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, do not turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system.

Do not connect a generator directly to your home’s electrical system. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to connect appliances directly to your generator.

Remember that snakes and insects can be a problem after storms.

The state’s price gouging law is in effect. Charging an unreasonably excessive amount in times of crisis is against North Carolina law when a disaster is declared by the governor.

Don’t pay upfront for repair work. Some contractors may require a “reasonable” down payment, but insist on a written contract that details the work to be performed, the cost and a projected completion date. Pay with a check or credit card, not cash.

Beware of people who promise a “guaranteed” loan from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, especially if they require an upfront payment. (FEMA doesn’t charge a loan application fee.) Verify the credentials of anyone offering low-interest government loans by contacting the agency involved.

Beware of a contractor who knocks on your door soliciting work.

Whenever possible, obtain three written estimates for repair work and compare them. Check whether any complaints have been filed against contractors with the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau.

Watch out for charity scams. Telemarketing frauds spring into action with phony pleas for donations in the wake of disasters. Check on a charity’s legitimacy by calling the Secretary of State’s Office at 888-830-4989.

Report a scam or fraud by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 877-566-7226 or by filing a complaint on the AG’s website www.ncdoj.gov/

Power outages

Progress Energy customers should report outages to 800-419-6356 or online at www.progress-energy.com/storm, or via smartphones at the company’s mobile website at m.progress-energy.com. Register online before the storm hits.

Progress will update its storm restoration progress at www .facebook.com/ProgressEnergyCarolinas .

N.C. Electric Membership Corp. customers should call the co-op that serves their area to report outages.

Insurance

Report claims promptly, because adjusters handle them first-come, first-served.

Write down your claim number.

Keep records of all contacts with your insurer, listing date, time and a brief description of the exchange.

Find out if the adjuster is an employee of your insurance company or an independent. If independent, find out what company your information is going to and whether it’s authorized to make decisions and payments on behalf of your insurer.

Limit any repairs done before an adjuster’s visit to those needed to protect your home from additional damage.

Before making emergency repairs, take photographs and keep receipts for work done.

Keep receipts for any living expenses, such as hotel costs if your home is uninhabitable.

Consult your insurer or check your policy before hiring a tree removal service. Policies differ on whether tree removal or debris is covered; some policies only cover tree removal if the tree has fallen on your house or other property such as a fence or utility shed.

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After the Storm: What to Do Once Hurricane Irene Passes

By Monday, the worst of Hurricane Irene will hopefully be over for Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. But what happens then? First off, power, Internet, or transportation outages could make doing business an impossibility. Then again, your workplace may have been damaged by flooding or high winds. Here’s a quick guide to getting back on your feet as quickly as possible:

• Check up on your staff: Contact your staff and make sure they and their families are OK. With schools closed and transportation disrupted, you may have to be more flexible about having children in the office or be comfortable working from home.

• Come up with a continuity plan: Ideally, you should have done this before Irene came to visit, but it’s worth sitting down and identifying the most critical parts of your business and who needs to do what to get things back up and running. Figuring out backup suppliers or contractors is also important.

• Dealing with flood damage: If your property has been damaged by the storm surge or flooded, the first two days can make all the difference to your recovery. Don’t go in unless the floodwater has receded and the authorities have said it’s safe. There may be contamination, so wear gloves and a mask. If wires are damaged or pipes cracked, turn off the electricity and water valve, and if you smell gas, get out and call the gas company. Take photos of the outside and inside of the building, and try to show the waterline, to help with filing your insurance claim later on. FEMA has more tips about what to do immediately after a flood.

• Important documents: Don’t expose water-damaged documents to high heat or harsh sunlight, as this will only make the damage worse. Instead, lay the paper on paper towels or something else that will absorb the moisture in a cool, dry space. Try and save employee and accounting records first.

• Apply for a disaster loan: If your business property has been damaged by the storm, you can also apply for a low-interest, long-term loan from the Small Business Administration. You can even apply online. If there’s Internet, that is.

More information is available on the Disaster Assistance and Ready Business websites. Good luck out there.

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Get more business intelligence from Portfolio.com:

• Irene Is Bad for Business: Flooding, wind damage, and power outages are expected inland and throughout the East Coast, so firms should prepare now. Here’s what to do.
• Bernanke Stays the Course: The Federal Reserve will discuss further tools to stimulate the economy, but it won’t take the immediate action some had called for.
• Advice for Tim Cook: Taking over from a leader like Steve Jobs is no easy task, and Tim Cook faces several challenges as he steps up to the top spot at Apple.

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Nicola Kean is an assistant editor for Portfolio.com.

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