Severe weather is bound to happen every year, whether it is a hurricane, tornado, high winds, flooding, thunderstorms, etc. And mother nature can be unforgiving and can cause significant damage to your property, injuries, and fatalities. According to Injury Facts, winter weather, thunderstorms, and tornadoes are some of the most deadly weather events.
Since we have no control over severe weather, it leaves us with no choice but to prepare for the disaster before it happens. It is crucial to prep yourself if you live in areas prone to severe weather.
Educating yourself about severe weather ensures that you minimize damages and avert fatalities and help your family stay safe throughout the stormy period. Here are harsh weather tips to help you prepare for severe weather.
Know the type of severe weather happening and prepare for risks.
When preparing for extreme weather, the first step is knowing the type of weather event that is going to happen. Thanks to weather forecasters, you can get this information through the news on radio, television, or digital media. Knowing the type of weather event helps you understand the risks and prepare accordingly. You can draft a disaster plan and help members of your family get ready. Help your family understand your disaster plan and how best to respond to such events.
Ensure your home is ready for severe weather
Is your home ready for severe weather? Your safety during a hurricane, flooding, or storms starts with you. There are ways to prepare your home for a disaster, like analyzing if your home is at risk of flooding.
Do a yard cleanup beforehand and ensure no low-lying tree branches and debris in the yard that could damage your property. Overhanging trees can fall easily during severe weather and can cause damage, block the way when you need to evacuate, and injuries to people around.
Fix your roof and windows if they are weak and vulnerable to heavy rains. You can install storm-proof doors and storm shutters for your windows. Ensure that your home is flood-proof by installing a drainage system. Close your doors and windows at times during heavy winds and rains. Also, don’t forget to keep your patio furniture and toys indoors.
Move your vehicles to higher grounds away from trees and power lines. The garage area is the safest place for your cars. Ensure your gas tank is full and have enough fuel for your generators.
Prepare for emergencies
Once your home is ready for severe weather, it is time to put an emergency plan in place. How are you going to survive during the weather season? What do you need in case of evacuation?
Identify a space place in your home to take shelter when the severe storms hit. The room should offer protection from heavy winds, hails, and debris. You can consider the bathroom, basement, closets, or hallways for in-shelter during lousy weather.
Get enough food supplies and clean water that can last you throughout the extreme weather period. Also, have a first aid kit and medicines you may need ready. Secure your important documents, get your car ready, and identify a meeting spot in case of an emergency.
Extreme weather may damage the power line, so it is crucial to have a power backup if the power lines go off. Additionally, pack your emergency kit beforehand because things can escalate quickly during severe weather conditions. Have contacts of people to contact during an emergency like the local authority department that deals with emergencies.
Plan for safe evacuation
Evacuation may be inevitable when the weather is extreme. Ensure that your emergency kit has all the supplies you will need like blankets, extra clothes, food, clean water, important documents, cash, medicine, boots, emergency phone numbers, and a first aid kit.
Clean up after the storm settles.
In case you evacuate, return when the storm is over and assess the damage. You can rent a dumpster from TKG services and start cleaning out all the debris. Contact us with any questions.