Preparing For Storms

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

Storm Damage Clean Up

Taking steps to protect your family and property from storms before they hit can save lives and help minimize damage to your home or business.
Severe storms cause billions of dollars of damage in the United States each year. When big storms hit, many families find themselves disorganized and not well prepared. This is why it is important to have an emergency plan and make sure everyone knows the plan in case of an emergency.

Creating an Emergency Plan

The first step is to create a written disaster plan and review it with your household. Be sure everyone knows where to go and what to do. Have an emergency meeting place, such as a park, building, or other landmark near your home. If you are separated, have everyone meet at the chosen location.

Preparing for a Storm

To prepare for a storm, you should have an emergency kit. Since you may need to evacuate on short notice, pack your emergency kit into backpacks and have them ready to go. Everyone should know where the emergency kits are.

Your emergency kit should contain:

• Battery powered flashlight
• Portable battery powered radio
• Extra batteries
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Prescriptions and essential medicines
• First aid kit
• Nonperishable emergency food
• Bottled water (1 gallon per person, per day)
• Non-electric can opener
• Disposable camera
• Credit cards and cash
• Change of clothing
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Important papers, identification and bank information
• If you have pets make sure they have an emergency kit with 3-5 days-worth of food and supplies, including a pet carrier, leash and current identification tags.

How to Stay Safe If Your Home is Damaged by Storms

After the storm is over, return to your home only after you are cleared to return by authorities. Enter your home with caution.
Check for signs of gas and water leaks and damage to electrical or sewer systems. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, leave immediately, keeping doors and windows open. Call your gas company to report the problem. Stay clear of frayed electrical wires and downed power lines.
Do not drink any tap water or use tap water to prepare food until you have been notified it is safe to do so.
Make sure you take pictures of any roofing, structural damage, flooding, broken windows or other debris, and make notes of anything that is broken or damaged. When it comes time to file an insurance claim, the pictures you take after the storm can go a long way in helping you recover from the storm, prove your claim is valid and getting approved for repairs as quickly as possible.

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO of Franklin County responds immediately to your flood and storm damage emergencies. We have the storm damage restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your Franklin County, MO home or business back to pre-storm condition.

Need Storm or Flood Restoration Service?
Call Us Today (636) 583-5200