On November 5, 2022, a powerful tornado swept through the city of Idabel, Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. A large number of homes, businesses, and infrastructure needed tornado damage repairs following the storm. The Burris family was one of them.
Their house suffered significant damage, including a collapsed roof, broken windows, water damage, and structural damage to the walls. Along with other residents, the Burris family was left with the daunting task of repairing their homes and rebuilding their lives.
Challenges With Tornado Damage Repairs
The Burris family faced several challenges in the aftermath of the tornado. First and foremost, the tornado ripped off part of their roof and the ceiling collapsed in several other areas of the home. This left almost 50% of their home open to more than 5 inches of rain during the storm.
When the roof was ripped off, insulation from the attic fell and covered almost every square inch of the home. Almost none of their belongings were salvageable. The emotional trauma of losing your home and everything you own cannot be understated.
After the storm, they needed to find a contractor who could assess the tornado damage to the home and provide an estimate for the repairs. This was no easy task. The few local contractors in Idabel were overwhelmed with requests for their services in the wake of the tornado. In addition, the tornado damage to their home was so significant that many contractors didn’t have the expertise to manage the entire job.
An additional challenge was the complex process of dealing with insurance claims. They were left trying to document the tornado damage while trying to find a contractor that would take on the repairs. This process requires a lot of paperwork and attention to detail, which was difficult given the stress and trauma they had experienced.
Finally, they had to find a temporary place to live after the storm due to the amount of tornado damage. This was particularly challenging given the widespread damage in the area and the limited availability of rental properties.
Solutions
We met the Burris family in Idabel after visiting a separate homeowner who was also dealing with tornado damage. After hearing about their situation, we agreed to provide a tornado damage inspection and see if we could help.
Once we got to the home, we realized that no emergency roof repairs had been made to the hole in the roof. We immediately began adding tarps to the home’s exterior to prevent any more damage.
After the inspection, we provided the Burris family with a photo-documented damage report and a list of all repairs needed. We provide this to homeowners for free to help them start the claim process. The Burris family let us know this report lifted a huge weight off their shoulders and wasn’t something any other contractor provided.
With over a decade of experience repairing storm damage, our team was confident we could take on all tornado damage repairs to the Burris home. This included replacing the roof, windows, interior drywall, flooring, and more.
Because our team was able to provide a photo-documented tornado damage report and list out all repairs needed, the Burris family was able to work closely with their insurance company to ensure the claim was processed quickly and efficiently. The Burris family later told us that having this information and making sure that all tornado damage was accounted for provided much-needed relief in the process.
Completing Tornado Damage Repairs
Once the tornado damage insurance claim was approved, we began the storm damage repair process. This started with removing all water-damaged debris from the home. Interior work included new drywall, insulation, and framing in most areas of the home. In addition, our team replaced the floors, baseboards, and other structural components in the home. Exterior storm damage repairs included replacing the roof, windows, and parts of the home’s exterior.
With over 10 years of experience dealing with storm damage repairs, our team was able to complete all repairs in a little over two weeks. Our attention to detail and project management skills shined during this project, especially with the number of repairs needed.
In the end, we were able to give the Burris family their home back – one free of storm damage. While we cannot replace all of their belongings or undo the trauma caused by the tornado, we were able to give them a safe space to create new memories.
Conclusion
Repairing or rebuilding a home after a natural disaster is a challenging and stressful process. However, choosing the right general contractor for tornado damage repairs can help make the process easier and reduce stress.
At Triple Diamond Construction, we understand the trauma, anxiety, and financial challenges that come with tornado damage repairs. That’s why our team is so passionate about bringing homeowners relief, guidance, and total home protection.
Our number one goal is to provide homeowners with the best storm damage repair services while minimizing stress, delays, and complications. If a tornado has impacted your home or if you are in need of tornado damage repairs, give us a call at 405-895-997 or schedule a free storm damage inspection online. We’re ready to be your allies when disaster strikes.
