Preparing for the Threat of Severe Spring Weather | SERVPRO® of East Davie/Cooper City

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

Severe Weather

Now that spring has arrived, we can enjoy some warmer—but sometimes unstable—weather. That means we need to buckle up and prepare for whatever Mother Nature may choose to send our way.

Severe Weather and the Spring

The arrival of spring brings with it longer days and more sunshine, but spring also brings with it the threat of severe weather throughout the country. You can never be too sure about the hand you’re being dealt this time of the year, which means the weather may change at moment’s notice.

Fluctuating temperatures that can go from warm to cold within hours cause the weather to change. That temperature change can result in extreme weather changes.

Thunderstorms become more common throughout the spring and are the main cause of severe weather. Thunderstorms occur whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, which is a common occurrence in the spring and summer.

After studying natural catastrophe losses in the U.S. for 2017, it was found that severe thunderstorms were the most common and produced some of the costliest results. Out of 50 events, there were 85 fatalities and an estimated total of $25.4 billion in overall losses.

These storms can bring about flooding threats, high winds and even tornadoes given the right conditions. It has been found that in modern history, 10% of all violent tornadoes have occurred in March, with April, May and June taking the top spots at 30%, 24% and 15% respectively.

Getting Prepared

There is no way to completely accurately predict the weather; however, forecasters have the tools available to them to at least give us an idea of the possibility of severe weather. Advanced warnings, along with the right preparation, can greatly improve overall safety for your family.

Here are some things you can do to your home to prepare for the chance of severe weather:

1. Clear out your home’s gutters, drains and downspouts.
2. Trim trees of precarious limbs or branches that could break off in a storm.
3. Secure or store outdoor belongings if severe weather is in the forecast.

Having an emergency kit on hand is always advised. These kits should include the following:

• Battery-operated flashlight and NOAA weather radio, with extra batteries for both
• Emergency evacuation or shelter plans
• Important personal info, like telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends, insurance and property info, numbers for the utility companies, and medical info
• A first-aid kit with things like non-latex gloves, adhesive bandages, tweezers, sterile gauze pads, aspirin packets, adhesive cloth tape and scissors
• 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bag

Despite its unpredictability, there is one thing that always remains true of the spring weather season: It always happens. If your home or business is damaged in a storm, you can depend on SERVPRO® of East Davie/Cooper City to get the cleanup and restoration process started fast.