Severe Weather Preparation Tips

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

With heavy storms hitting the Southern coast over the past few months, storm preparation should be at the top of your list. Though we do not face hurricane weather head-on in Huntsville, AL., we do feel the effects of the tropical storms these hurricanes spin up, as well as annual tornado weather. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your home from severe weather.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPARATION TIPS

Become and stay informed.             

Tune in to our local radio or TV stations and community alert system for pertinent information. Keep a weather radio on hand with an alternative power source such as batteries or solar power.

Put together emergency kits with a food and water supply.

Put together emergency kits stocked with essential items. Supply lists and other valuable information can be found on the Red Cross website. Stock up with a two-week supply of food and water. Huntsville is not unfamiliar to tornado outbreaks that can leave homes and businesses without power for extended periods of time.

Keep LED flashlights and batteries on hand.

In addition to keeping LED flashlights in your emergency kits, you should also keep a decent supply throughout your home in case of severe weather. Be sure to have the appropriate batteries on hand.

Maintain a household inventory.

Maintain a household inventory for insurance purposes. The easiest method is to take a video of your residence and your possessions, verbally confirming details such as size, make, model, serial numbers, etc. for valuable items. Store these videos on the cloud so that they can still be accessed after natural disasters.

Secure all outdoor furniture.

Secure outdoor furniture and other loose objects or move them inside. An EF-2 (135 mph) or EH-3 (140 mph) tornado can destroy an outdoor swing or wrap a trampoline around a tree. Deck furniture can disappear or become projectiles.

Collect tools and emergency building materials.

Having a supply of useful items such as sandbags, plywood, and waterproof tarps will come in handy if windows are blown out, a roof is damaged, or the shingles are torn off. Limiting water intrusion into your home or business as much as possible will lessen the damage to the interior.

Fuel up vehicles and equipment.

Before bad weather hits, top off your vehicles in case evacuation becomes necessary. If you own a generator, stock up on fresh fuel in approved containers and store in a safe location.

Know how to shut off the utilities.

Should the home or business receive extensive damage, it may be necessary to shut off utilities, such as gas, electricity, and water. If evacuation is required, turn off utilities before leaving if time permits.

Gather documents and records.

After a severe storm, residents may need documentation to prove their identity. Keep important documents in a safe place such as a water and fireproof safe, preferably in a single binder so that quick retrieval is possible. These documents may include Social Security Cards, Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Drivers Licenses copies, Wills, Property Deeds, Vehicle Registration Copies, etc. It is also a good idea to include digital records of valuable items such as family photos or videos.

The best way to weather a storm is to prepare for it before it hits. Use these tips to set your family or business up for greater peace of mind.

If you experience weather or storm-related damage, do not hesitate to give our office a call at (256) 534-1177. SERVPRO of North Huntsville is a locally owned business and an IICRC Certified Firm with the experience, knowledge, and capabilities to properly remediate your storm damage an make it "Like it never even happened."