Stash was on the scene immediately following the devastating tornado confirmed in Merrillville. The tornado touched down on March 31, with high winds damaging several homes, causing fallen trees, and leaving structural damage in its wake.
The Stash team worked around the clock to protect affected homes with tarps, saving them from the elements as wind and rain continued to ravage the area, with more projected in the coming days. Stash continues to work diligently to ensure that any homeowners affected by this storm have their property restored quickly and professionally.
Damage Report
An EF-1 tornado touched down in Merrillville, Indiana, bringing gusts of wind up to 110 mph. Storms blew through the city and the surrounding area, leaving 23,000 homes without electricity and causing extensive damage. The Merrillville tornado was part of a large storm system that tore its way through the central U.S., claiming at least 32 lives and hitting multiple different states.
If you’re interested in getting the full story regarding the storms in Merrillville, you can read about it here or on several local news sites. As you can see, the damage was pervasive. Roofs were ripped from homes, trees were uprooted, vehicles and fences were damaged, and a massive cleanup and restoration effort began right away. Stash leaped into action on behalf of home and property owners in the city.
Stash has an emergency response team on call 24/7. You can’t stop Mother Nature, whether she’s bringing sunshine or, in this case, a tornado, high winds, and a lot of rain. Stash’s Storm Damage protocol is in place for precisely these types of emergencies, and crews put it into full effect for the Merrillville storms.
The first line of defense against continued damage is tarps. Stash headed out to place temporary tarps on damaged, leaking roofs. They keep out any extra water – an important step as Merrillville expected more rain and wind to move in. The combination of high winds, hail, and rain did a number on many homes in the area, and Stash was quick to move in and protect them as best as possible.
After crews took temporary, effective measures to handle the damaged roofs, Stash assisted with clearing out the uprooted and damaged trees. There were many downed branches (and full trees) in the area, and every moment they were left in place there was a chance for further damage. The Stash crew is highly trained and worked to remove them as quickly as possible, clearing the way to begin restoration of damaged homes. Once all temporary and immediate measures were taken, and the worst of the weather had passed, Stash was able to begin the restoration process.
Restoring Homes After the Storm
The first step in addressing any restoration following major storms is water removal. Standing water in basements, crawl spaces, or any area of the home can quickly cause complicated damage. It only takes 24 hours for mold growth and mildew to grow, so time is of the essence. Mold causes a myriad of health issues and continues to grow until the source is eliminated.
In this case, Stash stepped in fast to remove water from any flooded areas and treat them with high-tech, super-efficient drying equipment and dehumidifiers. Water damage is one of the first priorities following storms, as the consequences of leaving it untreated set in so fast.
While tarps are a fantastic first line of defense, they’re very temporary. For Merrillville homes with minor or moderate damage, Stash stepped in to do temporary repairs until full roof restorations were complete. Temporary repairs do a more thorough job of keeping out the elements than tarps and offer homeowners some much-needed peace of mind as they recover from the storm system. Additionally, Stash took great care to board up and cover any other openings or damage – both to seal homes against adverse weather and unwanted pests or visitors.
For those in homes too damaged to inhabit, Stash crews helped them pack up salvageable belongings and store them safely until they were able to return to their homes.
In the days following the tornado and storms, Stash did everything possible to get homes in working condition and restored. They worked on replacing windows, broken doors, roof repairs, and whatever other reconstruction work was needed. Stash takes storm damage seriously and prioritizes the health, safety, and comfort of homeowners, so crews worked long hours in the wake of the Merrillville storms.
The Storm Passes
While Stash worked to repair and restore homes, the city of Merrillville opened up temporary shelters and warming centers for residents. Residents took refuge in the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, and the local police department worked incredibly hard to ensure that everyone was taken care of and had somewhere safe to go following the tornado. Other agencies, like the American Red Cross, quickly joined them on the scene to provide additional support.
Stash communicated closely with homeowners during the weeks-long restoration process. With the extent of the damage in Merrillville, getting homes back in livable shape was no small feat. During any extensive restoration process, but especially in response to storm damage, Stash always stays in close contact with those affected. It provides comfort and peace of mind to the homeowners, and Stash recognized the importance of providing excellent service and care during such a time of turmoil.
Conclusion
While major weather events are only temporary, the effects can be lasting. It takes time to restore homes following storms, and the Stash crew worked as quickly as possible to provide the highest level of care and skill to Merrillville homeowners. From busted roofs to basements and areas full of rainwater, Stash got into gear and handled the storm damage.
If you’ve experienced damage from similar events, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Stash to help restore your home. You don’t have to live with a roof in poor condition or water standing in your basement. While you certainly can’t stop a tornado or hit the pause button on seemingly endless rain, you can get professionals to help restore your home and keep it safe. That’s what Stash aimed to do in Merrillville.
Storms and tornadoes can upend your life. Don’t spend even more time trying to chase down individual contractors or businesses to do pieces of the restoration work. Stash handles it all – temporary and permanent roof repair, water removal and cleanup, tree removal, window and door restoration, and other services. If your home suffers damages from a storm like the one that swept through Merrillville, reach out for a free estimate and quick scheduling. The emergency line is open 24/7, every day. When disaster strikes, Stash will be there.