Storm-damage recovery a challenge at flooded homes

“It flooded everywhere,” she said. “My driveway is destroyed. My yard is destroyed.”

The water was about 2½ feet high, she said. Almost nothing survived. There was mud and water inside the refrigerator and electric stove. At one point, she said, she thought the fridge was going to topple over from all of the mud and water. The electricity had to be turned off to avoid electrocution.

The storm left the 76-year-old stranded in her home near West Ina and North Oracle roads with her five dogs until sheriff’s deputies arrived about 15 minutes after she called 911. She couldn’t open the doors because of the water pressure, she said.

She and her dogs were rescued, though one of her dogs, Frankie, a shepherd--chow mix, went missing while being taken to a friend’s house.

Since the flood, Lillie said friends have come out to help her move the destroyed furniture and appliances from the house. “Red Cross is helping out. Friends are helping out,” she said.

Like most people in the neighborhood, which is not on a flood plain, Lillie does not have flood insurance. A contractor estimated the dry-wall repair bill could be between $10,000 and $15,000. That is going to have to come out of her own pocket, she said.

As the storm washed out roads, swept away vehicles and flooded homes Monday, Tucson residents are left to deal with the aftermath of the storm and begin the road to recovery.

That road could be tough one, especially for those like Lillie who do not have flood insurance to help pay the restoration costs for their homes, as most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood-damage repairs.

Gov. Jan Brewer declared an emergency following the storm that swept through Phoenix and Tucson, but that does not mean there will be a reimbursement for homeowners from the state, said Jeff Guthrie, deputy director of the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

“The governor’s declaration does not include homes or businesses,” he said.

However, following the governor’s request for an emergency declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that it is offering a low-interest federal disaster loans to Arizona residents and business owners. The SBA declared an emergency, separate from the Governor’s Office, for Maricopa, Gila, La Paz, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma and Pima counties.

More information about the disaster-loan program is available on the SBA’s website.

In the meantime, government and nonprofit agencies across the state are urging storm- and-flood damage victims to keep good records of any damages in situations like Monday’s storm.

The most important first step is to find safety, said Stephen Clutter, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Insurance. The next step is to document the damage with photos, videos and detailed notes.

“One of the reasons why we recommend that is that it will help you in your (insurance) claim,” he said.

Before jumping into trying to fix things by themselves, victims should first contact their insurance company for a damage evaluation, Clutter said. Victims should also check their insurance policy to see what is covered and what is not.

The most typical damages from storm include leaky roofs and wet insulation, said Rich Polton, owner of Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Tucson, a company that repairs storm, water, mold and fire damage.

Leaky roofs are considered category two water damage, which means the structure is not “grossly contaminated,” he said. Repairing leaky roofs could be covered by homeowner’s insurance and dried out without having to remove anything from the house.

However, flood damage is generally considered a category three loss, which Polton said requires complete removal of contaminated parts and anti-fungal treatment. That process is likely not covered by just homeowner’s insurance.

The average bill for a dry-out process is about $2,000 for a 700- to 800-square foot residence, according to Polton. The cost can depend on the square footage of the home and what contents must be removed for thorough drying .

In severe cases, the bill could go up to $10,000, he said.

Water-damage repair begins with examining the areas affected by moisture, Polton said. When the damage area is determined, companies use a combination of air movers and dehumidifiers.

The air movers increase evaporation through the carpets and walls, and the dehumidifiers eliminate the moisture.

In dealing with storm- damage restoration, Polton said, the important thing is to look for firms certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Swift response is critical in restoring water damage, he added. Mold grows fast and sometimes sneakily.

“The mold never dies,” he said. “You should get out there and get drying.”

For Lillie, the 76-year-old whose home was flooded, it won’t be a matter of a few air movers and dehumidifiers and a $2,000 repair bill to get rid of the mold.

“I just gotta start from scratch,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy.”