Be Ready for a Storm Before It Hits

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

A summer storm—hurricane, tornado or thunderstorm—can knock out your power and severely damage your house. Do these five things to prepare now!

Any time of the year is a bad time to get hit by a storm that can damage your home or knock out your power. Summer storms—such as hurricanes, tornadoes and powerful thunderstorms—can be a real challenge if you’re not ready for them. You and your family will weather the storm much more easily and safely if you prepare by having some key supplies on hand well before you need them.

1. Food & Water

Make it a practice to keep a two-week supply of nonperishable food and water on hand. Foods, such as canned and boxed food and other staples, should be high in calories and nutrition and not require refrigeration, water or special preparation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having at least one gallon of water per day for each member of your family. Store your food and water in a cool, dry and dark place. Periodically, check the expiration dates and discard and replace expired items. If you have a pet, store a two-week supply of your pet’s food, too.

2. Lights & Electronics

Summer storms are notorious for causing power outages. If your power fails, you’ll want lighting and a way to power your phone or other electronic device. Keep on hand several flashlights and a compact lantern—as well as a supply of batteries. When you know a storm is on the way, fully charge your phone and devices—and if you have one or more power banks, charge them up, too.

3. First Aid Kit

If you suffer minor injuries during or after a big storm, you may not be able to call on busy first responders for help. Be prepared to handle basic medical care on your own with a first-aid kit that includes bandages, gauze, a cold compress, scissors, tweezers, a seven-day supply of necessary medications and more. Store these essentials in a portable carrying case so you can grab and go if you need to.

4. Documents & Records

You may have to evacuate your home or deal with insurance claims after a storm. Gather your important identification papers and other documents, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, adoption papers, passports, naturalization documents, wills, living wills, powers of attorney and property deeds/titles. Store everything in a portable waterproof, fire-safe security chest. If there’s room, include important DVDs, portable disks and flash drives, too.

5. Cash & Gas

You should always have a supply of cash tucked away at home for an emergency. (If you have the means, build up a separate supply of easily-accessible funds that you can tap after a storm disaster to cover sudden expenses.) Gas up your vehicles before the storm hits to avoid long lines and the possibility of a gas shortage.

Just a few hours of preparation, long before the clouds arrive, will help you and your family stay safe and comfortable through a hurricane, tornado or severe thunderstorm and its storm disaster aftermath.

If your home or business suffers damage from a windstorm or other natural disaster, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

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The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation, fire restoration services and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 any time.

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If your home or business suffers damage from a windstorm or other natural disaster, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194