Severe Weather Should Not Take You by Surprise

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy rains can do more than flood streets. Some waters can meet you at your front door.

During severe weather, your house will endure brutal conditions like high winds, heavy rain, and mountains of snow. Take the time to equip your home with accessories to survive a storm. Don't wait until the forecast calls for severe weather because you might not have enough time to make the necessary preparations

Home Architecture

If you're building a new home, ensure it complies with your city's structural regulations. If you live in an area prone to harsh weather, ensure you follow all the building guidelines, making it easier to withstand any weather disasters. For instance, some common rules include a driveway of a certain length and width, building your home on an elevated platform (for floods), a fixed number of rooms and corridors, installing safety devices like fire alarms and smoke detectors, and maintaining your lawn. A clear lawn and backyard with fewer obstructions make evacuation easier.

General Tips

Prepare an emergency evacuation plan to help you get out of the house if under threat. Understand the layout of your home, and mark all doors, corridors, windows, etc., for easier evacuation - practice escape drills every few months to develop route memory of the plan. Build an emergency kit with canned food, water, and disaster control supplies to last at least two days. Create this kit a few days before the weather changes. It is advisable to keep the kit assembled at all times and place it in an easily accessible place since you may not have much time to evacuate. Also, develop a plan to communicate and meet up with your family at a specific spot if everybody isn't together.

House Inspections

Conducting regular home inspections is crucial to withstand severe weather conditions. These inspections should include roof, piping, electric line, and property evaluations. If you find any problems, get them fixed immediately. Delaying the repair will only burden you in bad weather circumstances. For instance, suppose your area experiences a flood. You risk pipelines breaking and cutting off your clean water supply with faulty plumbing.

If you have any issues with electrical lines and a fire breaks out, open or live electricity lines pose a serious threat that can hinder your chances of escape. Property inspections will also help you know if your home's structure follows all disaster management guidelines, and if anything requires changing, you can do it with ease.

When you notice something out of the ordinary, call SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids at 616-662-9700. A professional inspection will help you thoroughly prepare your home for any natural disaster.

Preparing for a Tornado, Hurricane, Wildfire, and Thunderstorm

If you live in a tornado-prone zone, your home must have a basement or underground bunker where you can stay until the tornado passes. Ensure your house surroundings don't have fixtures that can be uprooted, like fences.

For hurricane zones, have your home built at the right elevation. If the hurricane is approaching, secure your home by covering windows with storm shutters and installing straps to stabilize your roof.

For areas that experience frequent wildfires, it is essential that your home has a comprehensive fire alarm and smoke detector system. Have many fire extinguishers on hand and learn the fire evacuation procedure in your area.

For thunderstorms, prepare your home well ahead of time by removing any tree branches that could collapse onto your roof. Stabilize your roof and cover all windows with storm shutters. Understand your city's evacuation strategy and storm signals.

Preparing your home to withstand severe weather conditions reduces the damage it endures. Don't be thrown off guard at the last moment by bad weather. These tips will help you thoroughly prepare yourself and your home for any weather conditions.