News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 28, 2010

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Yvonna Kenny surveys the damage to her backyard. Two trees fell and damaged her fence, but it could have been worse. One of the trees landed a few feet from her North Augusta home.

Next door, in Arlene Reeves' mother's yard, another tree crushed a shed.

"No one's hurt, the home is okay, that's great and wonderful, but to have things in the shed for 70 years, including (her) mother's things, so that's devastating," Kenny said.

There's a small consolation: both families have insurance coverage.

"Nationwide, our insurance, called the contractor," Kenny said. "He sent a tree service out ,and they're supposed to come out and start cleaning today so he can find out how much of the damage is to the fence and the property and stuff like that."

Calling your insurance company is the first step. Know that number. And have your policy information available. Here are a few more steps:

• Make sure your insurance company has your cell phone number or another way to reach you if you're not staying in your home.


• Notify your insurance company of damage, and provide your insurance a copy of your home inventory if you have one.


• Make temporary repairs, like covering broken windows and damaged roofs. Keep receipts of materials you buy.


• Don't throw away damaged property until an adjuster has looked at it.


• Take pictures if it's safe to do so.