Severe storms can be a real threat to your home and property. And climate change has made the situation challenging by increasing the intensity and frequency of storms. Due to this, you should make the necessary preparations long before they arrive. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for one.
Ensure you have a plan for your family and pets in the event of an emergency
When a severe storm is headed your way, it’s important to have a plan in place for you and your loved ones. If a storm hits and you’re not prepared, you could be putting yourself and your loved ones in danger.
One of the most important things you can do is create a family emergency plan. This plan should include an evacuation route, a meeting spot, and a list of contacts who can help out in case of an emergency. Make sure everyone in your family knows the plan and practice it regularly.
If you have pets, make sure you have a plan for them as well. Include a list of pet-friendly hotels or shelters in your area, and make sure you have enough food and water to last you and the pet for at least a couple of days.
Check that gutters and downspouts are clean and flowing properly
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for a severe storm is to check your rain gutters and downspouts. If they’re not clean and flowing properly, water can back up into your home and cause damage.
You can clean these areas of the house yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Just make sure they’re clean and free of debris so the water can flow away from your home properly.
Secure loose items around your property
In the event of a severe storm, high winds can cause objects around your property to become airborne and damage your home. To prevent this, secure any loose items around your property, including lawn furniture, grills, toys, and anything else that could be blown away.
If you have a pool, make sure that the wind won’t be able to blow it over. You can secure it with sandbags or anything heavy enough to prevent it from moving during high winds. However, if you plan on evacuating before the storm arrives, take everything of value inside your home. This includes items lying around outside your property.
In addition to this, cutting branches off trees around your home can help prevent extensive damage during a storm. This should be done before the storm season starts so that they have time to heal and grow thicker bark for protection against insects and fungi.
Prepare your home’s foundation
If you haven’t had any work done on your home since it was built, now is the time to do so. Severe storms can damage your home’s foundation and cause cracks which will lead to leaks and costly repairs.
You can help prevent this by getting a soil test done, which will let you know if termites or other insects are present in your home’s foundation. If they are, you should hire a professional exterminator to get rid of them and may need to get your foundation repaired.
If you want to avoid these costly repairs altogether, consider having your home’s foundation inspected annually or before severe storms hit. If any cracks are found in the foundation, they can be filled with epoxy filler which will protect against water damage.
Prepare your home’s roofing system
Another important part of preparing your home for a severe storm is to prepare its roof. If the roof isn’t prepared, it can be damaged and cause leaks which will lead to costly repairs later on.
The best way to avoid this is by getting a professional inspection done annually or before the start of severe storm season. They will check the roofing system, looking for any signs of wear and tear that could lead to a costly repair or replacement later on.
Protect your care from possible flooding
If there is a possibility that your property will flood as a result of a severe storm, you might want to prepare your yard for it.
One of the most effective ways to do so is by putting a piece of plywood under each tire on your vehicle and raising it about a foot off the ground. If flooding does occur, this will prevent the tires from becoming stuck in standing water while making it easier for you to move your vehicle out of higher water levels.
No one can predict when or where a severe storm will hit, so it’s important to be prepared for the worst. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure your home is ready for anything that comes your way.
