6 Common Mistakes Before a Severe Storm

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

There are several guides available on how to protect your property from storms, including the "Storm" section on our blog page. Some things to consider as well are the common mistakes to avoid during a severe storm. Just as we like to practice an "always be prepared" mentality at SERVPRO, we hope to inform our clients on how to stay safe for times such as these. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid:

1. Underestimating a storm warning/watch. There's a reason why there's a National Weather Service, and these should not be taken lightly. Make sure to keep up with updates as these constantly change.
2. Not evacuating or not evacuating in time. If you are able to evacuate, do so. Make sure to give yourself enough time before the storm hits.
3. Not protecting your home. This includes securing any outdoor furniture, trimming trees, and any other objects that can potentially fly into your home in strong winds. For a full list of home safety tips, go here.
4. Not having enough food and supplies. FEMA recommends preparing 2 weeks worth of food and supplies just to be on the safe side.
5. Not preparing documents and medical needs. In case you’ll need to evacuate, make sure to gather all your important documents. It can be a headache trying to scamable and look for paperwork during a storm. Make sure to stock up on prescriptions, and plan for battery backup for medical equipment if applicable.
6. Not having an Emergency Ready Profile ready. Do you know where your shut off valves are? Do you have a list of contacts in case of an emergency? Do you have a point-of-contact water/fire damage restoration person? Sometimes having this information beforehand makes all the difference in a severe storm.  

George Allen, Sr. once said, “Winning is the science of being totally prepared.” Preparing for a severe storm isn’t any different.  Give SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton a call today to see how we can help you create an Emergency Ready Profile.