Summer Storms: Staying Safe and Preparing

Storm Preparation

If you live in an area prone to severe summer storms, taking steps to prepare can keep you personally safe and help to minimize damages. Too often it is impossible to avoid damages if a tornado or severe flood occur, however, understanding the risks and doing what you can to prepare can mitigate some destruction. Make sure that you monitor the weather forecasts during storm season and watch for severe storm alerts and warnings.

Always have an emergency response plan in place to respond to a severe storm. These plans can apply to flooding, tornadoes, and electrical storms. Keeping a disaster preparedness kit in your home and vehicle will ensure that you are always prepared in the event of disaster conditions.

Taking steps to secure your home from summer storm damage is also a good idea, This can range from constructing flood barriers to having a storm shelter for tornadoes. Keeping a list of things to do during a severe storm and rehearsing a response can further help your preparation. This could include knowing where the shut off valves and switches for the water and power are, securing items that may fall and cause injuries, and sealing and securing walls and windows from potential wind and water damage.