🛠️ Field-Ready: How Adjusters and Can Prepare for their deployment into Catastrophic Storm Zones

When a catastrophic storm strikes, it’s not just homeowners who need to prepare — adjusters must also be equipped to respond quickly, safely, and effectively.

When you’re inspecting properties, the conditions in a CAT zone are intense: downed power lines, impassable roads, emotional homeowners, and dangerous structures.

Here’s how you can prepare yourself, your gear, and your mindset before heading into the field.

⚠️ Safety First: Personal Gear Essentials

Safety is non-negotiable. Before entering any damaged site, make sure you’re properly outfitted:

🦺 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):

• Rubber boots

• Dust mask or N95 respirator

💡 Bonus: Keep a compact first-aid kit in your vehicle — not every site will have immediate access to medical supplies.

📦 Pack Your Go-Bag

A well-prepared go-bag can make or break your field experience. Essentials include:

• Portable power bank (or two)

• Flashlights + headlamp

• Paper maps (GPS often fails)

• Notepad + pens

• Multi-tool

• Bottled water & protein bars

• Rain gear + sunblock

• Hand sanitizer & wipes

• Bug spray

🔋 Pro Tip: Pre-charge ALL devices before each deployment day and keep a car inverter on hand to charge laptops or tools.

🧰 Tools of the Trade: What to Bring

Adjusters should tailor their kits to these fields, but here are some universal tools:

• Laser measurer

• Tape measure

• Ladder

• Clipboard with pen and paper (the area isn’t always safe to estimate onsite)

💻 Use mobile apps like Hover, Xactimate Mobile, CompanyCam, or Matterport to document and sketch on-site — even offline.

🚧 Situational Awareness: On-the-Ground Tactics

Storm zones are unpredictable. Stay alert and:

• Assess first — Before setting foot on a property, visually scan for structural risks, hanging branches, live wires, or gas smells.

• Foot placement — After a storm, it’s not unusual to find shingles, boards, fencing, and debris scattered across your yard — often with exposed nails pointing straight up.

• Document EVERYTHING — Take wide shots and close-ups. Record voice notes. Use timestamps and location tagging.

• Respect fatigue — Everyone’s tired — including you. Take short breaks and stay hydrated.

🌐 Digital Prep: Sync & Secure Your Data

Data is your evidence. Protect it.

• Use cloud backups (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)

• Don’t rely on just your phone — bring a tablet or laptop

📲 Pro Tip: Set up a daily auto-backup to the cloud while you’re connected to Wi-Fi at your hotel or hotspot.

🤝 The Emotional Factor: Be Ready to Listen

Homeowners in storm zones are under stress. Some are in shock, others angry or overwhelmed. Your job includes technical skill and human empathy:

• Speak calmly

• Offer reassurance

• Set clear, realistic expectations

• Avoid overpromising

• Always follow up if you say you will

✅ Final Checklist Before Deployment

• PPE stocked and inspected

• Devices charged + apps updated

• Go-bag packed

• Backup plans for navigation & comms

• Contacts saved for local vendors, shelters, and utility companies