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Have You Properly Planned for Severe Storms? | SERVPRO® of Van Nuys South
6/7/2022 (Permalink)
If you discover storm damage to your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Van Nuys South right away
During the warmer months, severe weather becomes increasingly common. Things like lightning, floods, winds and hail all put you and your home at risk. These weather events are extremely common, and in fact, there are around 100,000 thunderstorms throughout the United States every year, so these storms are happening all the time.
In California, specifically Van Nuys, many people disregard the potential risks of storms. These people have the mindset that their area is largely unaffected by storms, but we know that’s not the truth.
Our geography makes windstorms one of the most dangerous events, with this instance from last year that caused road closures and power outages in mere moments.
It would be nice to hit a button and get rid of any dangerous weather, but unfortunately, we can’t do that. However, we can and should prepare for storms. Build an emergency kit, plan a good strategy for communication and take action to be ready for when storms strike near Van Nuys.
As they often say “communication is key,” and this is especially true during dangerous weather. By knowing where your loved ones are, you can focus on yourself and everyone that is in the home instead of being distracted.
Second, it’s a smart idea to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts from officials. Television works great, but storms often knock out the signal, and cellphones always seem to run out of battery right when you need it most. An NOAA weather radio with spare batteries close by is your best bet to stay informed.
Finally, creating a communication strategy between the people in your household is crucial. This includes designating a room in the home to take shelter in, ideally in the center of the home with no windows nearby.
Planning for severe weather also includes having the essentials for survival. This includes nonperishable food, an excess of water, batteries, first-aid supplies and flashlights that aren’t your phone.
You should keep at least 72 hours worth of supplies because you never know how long you might have to shelter.
These kits should be kept in your designated safe room so that you can access them when you take shelter. By taking this extra step, you will be more prepared for the potential disasters that come from storms.
After the extreme weather is over, you should take a few additional steps in order to stay prepared for the next event. Taking account of how your planning and strategy worked or didn’t work will allow you to improve it and stay ready.
Lastly, once it’s safe to exit the home with your family, take some time and check your property for damage.
While we hope that your home never suffers damage, it’s important that you know who to call when it does. Your local restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Van Nuys South have a trusted reputation with over 50 years of restoration experience. We provide service day and night so that we can be there immediately to start solving the problems.
Finally, after assessing your home for damage, it’s always good to go through your safety plan and look for ways to improve. Explore where things went wrong, or what things went right, and build on that for the next time you face extreme weather. Taking these steps, and calling your local experts, can help you stay safe and keep your home or business in working order
If you discover storm damage to your home or business, you can count on SERVPRO to handle the restoration. We’re here 24⁄7 to spring into action—get in touch with us today.