The rain has stopped. Now what?

Claremore Daily Progress (OK)

May 30-- May 30--The rain has stopped.

All 77 counties in Oklahoma are in a state of emergency, water levels have reached unprecedented levels and residents have evacuated, or lost, their homes.

But the rain has finally stopped.

So now what?

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management asks residents impacted by the storms to report property damage at damage.ok.gov or by calling 211. They say reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate recovery efforts. The online form allows for reports of home, business or agriculture damage.

Many insurance firms, like State Farm, are providing tips of what to do now that the storm has passed:

--Document damage by taking photos

--If you make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, remember to keep your receipts.

--Your homeowner policy may cover spoiled food and other damages as a result of power outages, subject to the deductible. Check with your insurance agent to be sure.

When it comes to hiring a contractor, they say don't pay up-front, do get everything in writing, do get references and a physical business address of the contractor and do not accept an offer for a contractor to pay your deductible as an incentive to get your business.

Additional resources:

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency has Emergency Housing Assistance available to Oklahoma families displaced by recent storms where their home has been left uninhabitable. OHFA provides grants of up to $1,500 for temporary hotel accommodations and/or security or utility deposits for more permanent housing. To apply for assistance, call (405) 419-8196 to leave a message on OHFA's housing hotline for the disaster housing grant. Visit http://tinyurl.com/ohfahelp for updates and information on how you can meet with an OHFA representative for application assistance.

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans who have been impacted by the recent weather may be eligible for a Financial Grant. Visit their website at okvets.ok.gov and click on the "get help" tab to find a service officer or location near you to assist. You can also call 918-781-7766 or 405-523-4000 to locate a service office or location near you.

From now until June 14, several relief agencies are staffing a free hotline for muck-out, debris removal, and home cleanup from the recent statewide storms and flooding. This hotline will connect survivors with reputable and vetted relief agencies that will assist in debris cleanup and mucking out, as they are able. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the expected overwhelming need. The public may call 800-451-1954 to request help with storm and flooding related cleanup.

___

Visit the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) at claremoreprogress.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.