How to Prepare for the Threat of Severe Spring Weather | SERVPRO® of Fayetteville

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

Tornado and Lightening Storm

Spring is here! The arrival of spring brings longer days and more sunshine, but spring also brings with it warmer weather which is sometimes unstable. Fluctuating temperatures that can go from cold to warm in as little as an hour. That temperature changes can result in extreme weather changes. It is important that you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature may choose to send our way.

After studying natural catastrophe losses in the U.S. for 2017, it was found that severe thunderstorms were the most common and produced some of the costliest results. Out of 50 events, there were 85 fatalities and an estimated total of $25.4 billion in overall losses. These storms can bring about flooding threats, high winds and even tornadoes given the right conditions. 

Here are some things you can do to your home to prepare for the chance of severe weather:

1. Clear out your home’s gutters, drains and downspouts.
2. Trim trees of precarious limbs or branches that could break off in a storm.
3. Secure or store outdoor belongings if severe weather is in the forecast.

There is no way to completely accurately predict the weather; however, forecasters have the tools available to them to at least give us an idea of the possibility of severe weather. Advanced warnings, along with the right preparation, can greatly improve overall safety for your family. One recommendation is to download a local weather app and set it to alert you in severe weather is approaching.

Having an emergency kit on hand is always advised. These kits should include the following:

• Battery-operated flashlight and NOAA weather radio, with extra batteries for both
• Emergency evacuation or shelter plans
• Important personal info, like telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends, insurance and property info, numbers for the utility companies, and medical info
• A first-aid kit with things like non-latex gloves, adhesive bandages, tweezers, sterile gauze pads, aspirin packets, adhesive cloth tape and scissors
• 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bag

If your home or business is damaged in a storm, you can depend on SERVPRO of Fayetteville to get the cleanup and restoration process started fast. Call us at 910-860-1163.