The combination of both thunderstorms and flooding is a spring up the recipe for tragedy. If early storms come down while the snow on the floor hasn’t melted yet, or when the ground remains frozen, the prospect of catastrophic floods increases. And since the weather is so inconsistent in spring, it’s essential to prepare for it beforehand.
Spring Storm Preparedness Tips
BEFORE
- Produce a disaster preparedness plan. Establish an outside meeting place and escape routes from every room in your house. Also, practice the plan with family members. Include your pets in the design and make sure they wear an ID tag.
- Ensure you and your family know how to turn off utilities and how to use a fire extinguisher.
- Get a flood insurance policy, which is not contained in standard homeowners policies. Do not wait — flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.
- Create a home inventory in the event you want to file an insurance claim. Additionally, secure vital information, like documents, personal numbers, and insurance policies.
- Make sure your home is in good shape to withstand powerful storms. Tighten your roof tiles and waterproof your basement windows, and doorways.
- Prune the loose branches and remove the dead plant in your yard.
- Keep drains and gutters clean to ensure proper drainage. Make sure gutters are tightly attached to your house to guard them against strong winds.
Make an emergency supply kit containing these items:
- Bottled water and non-perishable meals for 3 to 5 days.
- A “crank apparatus” that generates current to power up cell phones may be utilized as a flashlight, etc.
- Prescription drugs, if necessary.
DURING
- When a storm is imminent, bring the valuables in your yard indoors and move all vehicles and equipment to the large ground.
- Don’t walk through moving water. Just a few inches of fast-moving water can sweep you off your feet.
- If you’re outside, get to higher ground and avoid low-lying areas which are likely to flood.
- Do not drive through floodwater even if you have a large van. Two feet of water are enough to take it off.
- If you are indoors, make sure the doors and windows are securely shut. Keep away from windows to avoid the risk of getting struck by the glass. Take shelter in your basement if the storm is intense.
- Prevent using utilities and wired electrical equipment.
- Stay up to date on weather conditions and listen to local authorities if they tell you to evacuate your home.
AFTER
- Make sure everyone is OK and check for damage to your home. Be conscious of possible dangers.
- If you suspect damage to utilities, call the local police and wait for their acceptance to turn them back on.
- If your home has been flooded:
- Prevent contact with floodwater, which is quite probably contaminated.
- Make lists of those damaged or lost items, and take photos.
- Document the flood insurance case.
- All flood water is considered polluted. Thus, if you have water damage, any absorbent materials that are contaminated ought to be removed and lost (carpeting, rugs, upholstered furniture, etc.).
- Water damage has to be remediated properly and quickly. Otherwise, it will lead to mold contamination, and which presents another host of concerns and issues. Looking for mold removal near me? Check this out.
- If you suspect harm to electrical or gas lines, call to get a professional review before using them.
- Hire an expert damage restoration firm, such as PuroClean, to get your house back in order safely and efficiently.
Remember, spring doesn’t wait for you to get ready, so make a spring storm preparedness plan now before a thunderstorm or flood strikes your area. Call the PuroClean of Coral Gables experts, who can determine the complete extent of the harm and perform full restoration services after industry standards and best practices.