How to Deal With Property Damage Caused by Extreme Weather in Lake Charles

Of all the cities in the nation, Lake Charles has been hit especially hard by the recent influx of extreme weather across America. Property owners and citizens are desperately trying to find a solution to this problem. Where do they turn? How can they get the compensation they need to fix the damage caused by these storms, and how can they prepare for more storms in the future?

In May of 2021, Lake Charles was once again hit by “biblical” rainfall, leading many residents to believe that they were living in one of the most unfortunate cities in the entire nation. In the space of just a year, the city has experienced two major hurricanes, a deep freeze, and incessant, flooding rainfall. The latest extreme weather came in the form of 15 inches of rain in just 12 hours. Residents were left navigating the streets with kayaks. 

Get Hurricane Insurance

In the face of this extreme weather, many residents are turning to hurricane insurance. This is a special form of insurance that can provide you with additional protection and coverage against damage specifically caused by hurricanes. Unfortunately, many insurance policies have major coverage gaps. For example, most homeowners’ insurance policies cover wind and water damage, but they may not specifically cover flooding and hurricane damage. 

Get Help from the Government

President Biden recently announced that he was directing $1 billion towards severe weather preparedness across the nation. This funding will help governments prevent damage from things like floods and hurricanes. This is more of a future solution, as new prevention methods cannot address issues that are already happening in St. Charles. 

Prepare for the Worst

It’s very important to stay prepared if you live in St. Charles. While the government can provide some assistance, you’re on your own in many ways. This means that you might want to protect your windows, your roofs, and even your vehicles in any way you can during this storm season. A major part of the preparation process involves taking pictures of your home. This ensures that you can prove that the damage to your home was not pre-existing when you file a claim with your insurance company. 

Hire an Attorney

Another smart decision is to simply enlist the help of a qualified attorney in St. Charles. This may be especially helpful if you’re dealing with serious property damage and you just can’t seem to get the settlement you need to carry on with your life. Even if an insurance company has already denied your claim, you can try again with the help of your attorney. This will likely give you a much better chance of receiving an adequate settlement. If you’re looking for a qualified attorney in Louisiana, there are plenty of options available.