What To Do After A Tornado

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

A tornado can pop up with little-to-no warning, and while you want to be as prepared as possible ahead of time, such an event will cause a lot of damage. Do your due diligence when it comes to preparedness, always, and let’s talk about what to do afterwards, as well, so you can be as safe as possible. 

What to do after a tornado:

MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS SAFE. 

Take stock of everyone who is with you, whether that is family members, friends, co-workers, fellow shoppers, even pets. See if anyone needs medical attention, and if so, can you help them using first aid, or will you need to contact emergency health professionals? If there are any children with you, make sure they are connected with parents or guardians.

ASSESS DAMAGE.

Take inventory of the damage to the building you’re in. Notice any exposed wires, broken glass, sharp objects, or chemical spills, and take precautions. Do not touch or move anything without protecting yourself with personal protective equipment. Do you smell smoke or see any sparks? Do you see any unstable fixtures, walls, roofing, or other items? Move people away from areas that are possibly dangerous if it can be done safely. 

CONTACT HELP. 

Call emergency personnel right away. Let them know if there is anyone who is injured, and how badly. If your building has been damaged by a tornado, describe the damage and whether anything seems to be unsafe or dangerous. 

SCHEDULE RESTORATION AND RECOVERY.

Once people are safe, you can begin to consider recovery, if you are the owner or resident of the building that has been affected. A professional restoration company like SERVPRO can be onsite immediately to help you begin the restoration process. They can assess the damage, note any danger, and start to clean up the after-effects of the tornado.

When it comes to dangerous weather events, it’s good to know who’s on your side. You can always count on SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids to help you manage when you experience a disaster of any kind. We handle fire damage, water damage, mold remediation, chemical spills, and more. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, too. This franchise is independently owned and operated.