A foot of stormwater in your home, and a contractor saying "Let's dry it in place?" That was the scenario explored in Courtney Makris' PLRB Presents talk "When the Storm Hits Home: Courtney's Personal Journey through Hurricane Helene," and today Mike & Brennan will look at that scenario through the lens of the Categories & Classes of water, with the help of a PACE Program exercise.

Notable Timestamps

[ 00:06 ] - The episode introduces a real-world water loss scenario tied to a major storm, highlighting how widespread damage and contractor recommendations can complicate mitigation decisions for adjusters.

[ 01:05 ] - The discussion draws from a hurricane case study and shifts focus to how water "categories" and "classes" relate to the standards guiding mitigation decisions.

[ 04:24 ] - Water losses are a major focus in claims education, covering issues like pipe breaks, backups vs. overflows, and wind-driven rain—showing how varied and complex water damage scenarios can be.

[ 05:11 ] - Not all water is equal; category classifications depend on contamination levels, meaning the source and exposure history of water directly impact risk and required remediation.

[ 06:02 ] - Category 1 water can be clean and sanitary, Category 2 introduces contaminants that may cause illness, and Category 3 can be highly hazardous, often containing toxic or pathogenic substances.

[ 07:25 ] - Practical examples like dishwasher discharge illustrate how the same appliance can produce different water categories depending on whether the source is incoming clean water or outgoing waste.

[ 10:36 ] - Even seemingly clean sources like rainwater can shift categories based on contact with materials or time sitting stagnant, emphasizing that context and exposure matter.

[ 12:20 ] - Floodwater is nearly always Category 3 due to contamination from ground contact and stagnation, making it especially dangerous despite common public perceptions.

[ 14:46 ] - Water "class" differs from category by focusing on how much water is present, how deeply it's absorbed, and how difficult it is to dry.

[ 19:01 ] - Mitigation strategies vary widely: clean water may allow simple drying, while contaminated water often requires removal of materials like drywall and insulation.

Your PLRB Resources

Check out the PACE Program! https://www.plrb.org/pace-program/

When the Storm Hits Home: Courtney's Personal Journey through Hurricane Helene https://youtu.be/2VE7i_0KAKc

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Legal Information

The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate.

Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Classes & Categories of Water: a PACE Program Exercise