After heavy rain, document what changed.

What comes first?

Keep people and vehicles away from moving walls, opening ground and damaged dock utilities. If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services. Do not enter the water near damaged electrical equipment.

What evidence should you preserve?

• Photograph the same marked locations before cleanup where safe.
• Note dates, rain, observed water levels and when damage was first seen.
• Keep older inspection reports, permits and maintenance invoices.
• Separate new observations from damage that predates the event.

Why does the lake level matter?

Weather and reservoir operations affect water levels. Compare photographs using dates and the named level reference rather than guessing from a wet mark. A single high-water event does not establish the cause of a wall failure.

Lake Martin reservoir facts and operations

Can emergency work become the permanent repair?

Ask the responsible offices what immediate protection is allowed and what approval the permanent scope needs. Keep the two decisions separate. StillWaters explicitly distinguishes its emergency action process from permanent repair permission.

Martin, Yates & Thurlow residential guidelines · StillWaters emergency repair permit

What should you send the insurer?

Provide the factual photo record, dates, inspection findings and proposed temporary measures. Ask for the applicable policy wording in writing. Do not label a cause simply to fit a coverage category. Review the seawall insurance questions.