After Isaias: The Homeowner's Follow-Up Checklist

On October 9, Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm. Mobile and Baldwin County caught the western edge of it: downed trees, flooding rain and, by Friday night, about 192,000 Alabama customers without power. More than two weeks later, most of us are back to normal routines. That's exactly when the quiet, expensive mistakes happen, so our team at Perch & Oak put together the list we're sharing with our own clients.

1. Document before you clean up

The Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) asks homeowners to:

• Photograph or video all damage before anything gets hauled off
• Make reasonable temporary repairs, like tarping a roof, and keep every receipt
• Save damaged items in case an adjuster wants to see them
• Start a room-by-room list of damaged or lost belongings if you don't have a home inventory

A car damaged in your garage or carport is an auto claim, not a homeowners claim. If your home and auto are with different companies, you'll file with both. And if you have a mortgage, the structural part of your claim check may be made out to you and your lender together.

2. Check your contractor before you sign

On October 16, FOX10 reported that the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board has consumer protections in place under the governor's state of emergency, and that homeowners have been flooded with unsolicited texts from roofing companies.

• Ask to see the license. Licensed builders carry a card or can show it on their phone
• Never pay cash or the full amount up front. Pay in stages and make the final payment when the work is done
• Get more than one bid, and let your adjuster review estimates before work starts
• Report suspected fraud to the State Fire Marshal at (334) 241-4166

A real contractor will still be there tomorrow. A scammer needs your signature today.

3. Know what help is (and isn't) available

• IRS relief: On October 14 the IRS announced that Mobile and Baldwin are among the Alabama counties covered for Isaias relief. Many federal tax deadlines falling on or after October 7 are pushed to February 4, 2027, and the IRS applies it automatically
• FEMA: The October 9 federal emergency declaration covers preparedness costs, not recovery, and Mobile County EMA clarified on October 10 that it doesn't open recovery assistance for residents. On October 23, Gov. Kay Ivey asked FEMA for a major disaster declaration for 23 counties, including Baldwin, that would cover help for households if approved. Mobile County isn't on that list yet, though the state says more counties may be added. Watch for updates
• Flood: A standard homeowners policy typically does not cover flood damage. That takes a separate flood policy
• Insurance questions: ALDOI Consumer Services is at (334) 241-4141 or (800) 433-3966, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Put the curb to work

Cities including Foley have started curbside storm debris collection. Check your city or county website for sorting rules (vegetation and construction debris usually go in separate piles) and keep piles clear of mailboxes, meters and drains.

5. Start a "house file" and keep it

This is the step most people skip. Every photo, receipt, claim letter and contractor invoice from this storm belongs in one folder. At Perch & Oak, we see it every year: when it's time to sell, that folder answers a buyer's questions before they're asked. (We wrote more on that in Selling After Isaias? What Buyers Will Ask.)

If you're weighing whether to repair, upgrade the roof or rethink your plans after this storm, a Home Strategy Consultation is a good place to start. No pressure. Just neighbors helping neighbors.

Insurance, tax and assistance details change. Confirm with your insurance agent, a tax professional, and Mobile or Baldwin County EMA. This is not legal, tax or financial advice.

Be Home.
Leslie Davis, AL License #72650
Perch & Oak Property Group