Be Prepared for Spring Storms

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Severe Weather Preparedness Can Help Minimize Storm Damage to Your Property

Throughout the Midwest, Northern Illinois, the Chicagoland suburbs, we experience winter and spring much the same, but there is a good chance there are still great differences among the different areas.

Specifically here in the North Shore suburbs where SERVPRO of Glenview calls home, we may see snow as late as April, yet we may see temps in the 70s before St. Patrick's Day! The transition from winter to spring here in Glenview, Northbrook, and surrounding areas can be a volatile one indeed.

And few things are more volatile than severe weather in the spring! Severe weather is not something we can stop or control. From thunderstorms to lightning, tornadoes to floods, we cannot control when or where they develop or strike. However, there are things we can do to minimize the impact of severe weather. Protecting your family and your property begins with staying informed, having an emergency plan in place, and preparing yourself and your home or business for an emergency.

1. Stay informed! Have various means of being alerted of severe weather in your area! Monitor a weather alert radio. Listen to local radio broadcasts. Watch local TV. Follow NWS (National Weather Service) web pages and apps for updates. Sign up for and receive alerts and notifications from various weather apps on your computer and smart phone. The important thing is to NOT rely on just one method! Even though storm sirens are a great alert system, they are not designed to be heard indoors by everyone.
2. Have an emergency plan! Whether at home, at work, or at school, or when you travel, there should be an emergency evacuation plan in place. Not only should there be a plan - but you should practice your plan too! Designate places to go to seek safe shelter from a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Pick two places to meet, in case the first is not available or accessible - and meet your family, friends, or co-workers there in case you are separated. If you are traveling, know the names of locations you are visiting - and make sure your children know them too.
3. Prepare yourself AND your home for an emergency! Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as weakened tree limbs, worn roofing, cracked windows, improper landscape grading) and address these issues before storms magnify the damage. When you build a new structure or renovate an existing one, there are ways to prevent wind damage to roofs, upper floors, and garages. Rafters, trusses, walls, and doors can all be reinforced. Learn how to react in an emergency: learn how to administer CPR; learn how to use a fire extinguisher; learn how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water supplies in your home.

Everything boils down to that old scouts' motto: BE PREPARED!

Be prepared and take steps to be fully informed about the dangers of severe weather in the area you call home. Put that knowledge to use and create an emergency plan for yourself and your family, for home, school, or work. And prepare your property with thorough inspection for potential hazards and addressing those issues.

Knowing that you have prepared your home to fare through spring's severe weather will help to minimize the damage should your home be faced with storm damage, be it water damage or wind damage.

If your home or business is impacted by spring's severe weather, call on the professionals at SERVPRO of Glenview to mitigate, cleanup, and restore your property. Call us at 847-832-9300. We are Ready for Whatever Happens.