Do You Have a Storm Safety Plan? | SERVPRO® of Rockwall/Rowlett

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett right away.

The spring and summer seasons bring warm and sunny skies, but they also bring thunderstorms and severe weather! Seasonal thunderstorms can quickly turn severe when the unstable air produces heavy rain, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Plus, considering that there are around 100,000 thunderstorms throughout the United States every year, these severe weather events happen often in northern Texas, especially when we have one of the highest rates of confirmed tornadoes in the country.

We are off to a quick start this season so far in north Texas in terms of severe weather. We have had 17 reported tornadoes so far this year when our average for a typical storm season is 23. With the way that this storm season has begun here in Allen, being prepared will only help keep your family safe.

While we know that we cannot dictate the weather, we can do our best to be prepared for it when it occurs. By doing small things like building an emergency kit, developing a communications strategy and having a plan for how to deal with post-storm damages, you can be prepared to conquer severe weather and reduce the impact it can have on your home.

<h3severe-weather-communication-strategy">Your Severe Weather Communication Strategy

The first thing you need to do when bad weather is in the forecast is to come up with a communication plan with your household members. You also need to be able to receive communications and instructions from your local news and authorities.

It is important to know the difference between watches and warnings so you can understand when to stay vigilant and when to move inside and locate your safe area.

You must also have a reliable way to ** receive alerts** from officials, such as your cell phone or an NOAA weather radio.

Finally, having a storm strategy for your household is incredibly important in order to keep your family safe. Have a safe area in your home that everyone is aware of and is instructed to get to in the event of bad weather, and have a way to communicate with family members that are not home when the storm rolls through. That way everyone knows when and how to check in and mark themselves as safe, regardless of where they are.

<h3your-severe-weather-emergency-kit">Packing Your Severe Weather Emergency Kit

Your emergency kit should be packed with the basics that your family members need to comfortably live for at least 72 hours of sheltering in your safe area. That should include non-perishable food, water, flashlights and extra batteries, and a full first-aid kit. This kit should always be stocked and ready to use in your designated safe area location.

<h3after-the-storm-checklist">Your “After the Storm” Checklist

After the storm has passed, you should always do a recap of your safety plan and then check your property for storm damage. Once it is safe to do so, check your property for damage.

Make sure that your roof, doors and windows are your priority after any storm, as these areas are the ones that are susceptible to water damage most easily.

If you do find damage in your home, know that SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett will be there to fix your problem. We provide quick responses from our trained technicians, and we have a passion for what we do.

When the storm is over and your household members have all been marked as safe, you should do one final audit of your safety plan. Gather feedback about what worked and what needed improvement, and make any necessary adjustments so that you are ready and more prepared for the next storm.

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, you can count on SERVPRO to handle the restoration. We’re here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action—get in touch with us today.

Know What to Do No Matter Where a Storm Catches You

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

Have you been affected by a storm event? SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is available 24/7 and ready to assist you with any storm damage.

When you are making the most of your fun in the sun during the summer, you may not even consider the possibility of a sudden storm when the skies are clear. Unfortunately, storms are something you should always be conscious of, especially when the heat and the humidity are high—these create perfect fuel for storms, so they can start in an instant and leave people unprepared.

Be sure you know what to do no matter where a storm catches you with these tips.

Know your options for shelter. When you hear that a storm is a possibility and you are somewhere you can wait out the threat, this would be the ideal thing to do. That being said, when storms come up suddenly, this will not always be an option. You can set up shelter in your vehicle with the proper guidelines in mind, enabling you to wait out the storm anywhere you are.

Practice electrical safety. If there is a thunderstorm in the area, that means that lightning strikes are a possibility as well. Many times, lightning will strike from cloud to cloud instead of from cloud to ground, but it is important to practice electrical safety in any building just in case. Unplug everything around you if you can, and consider installing surge protectors at home and at the office for a solid solution that lasts.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. Though concrete provides a sturdy structure in which to seek shelter, it is also vital that you understand the risk of shock it presents. As most concrete is poured around metal bracers, if lightning strikes the building, the metal can become charged and dissipate this electricity through the concrete. This can cause shock to anyone directly touching the concrete, so it is wise to be aware of.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. When a storm interrupts your otherwise peaceful day spent outdoors, getting back to what you were doing quickly is likely top priority. It is important to wait enough time before heading back outside, however—lightning can travel more than 20 miles, so waiting at least half an hour after the last thunderclap is advised.

If your home sustains damage due to a storm, you can count on us to help. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our storm restoration process.

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Navigating Storm Damage Insurance | SERVPRO® of Rockwall/Rowlett

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

If you are facing Storm Damage let us help you get back to your pre-Storm conditions. Call SERVPRO of ROCKWALL/ROWLETT for all your Storm Damage needs

Boom! Storms can hit at any time. They’re not just frightening and dangerous. Storms can be expensive. The Congressional Budget Office notes that American households experience about $34 billion in storm-related losses every year.

In those first hours after a storm, you may be scrambling to recover possessions, locate a missing pet or find a place to stay. At the same time, you may be looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars of repairs. Careful planning can help you cover those costs.

Plan Ahead

Check Your Coverage. United Policyholders, a nonprofit group that advocates for insurance policyholders, suggests everyone become familiar with their insurance policy before a storm hits. For instance, check the wording of your policy to see whether storm water that backs up from sewers or drains is covered.

Maintain Your Property. Your insurance claim may be weaker if your home was already in poor repair. Always make sure your gutters are clean. Keep your roof in good condition. Take care of any damage as it happens. To help prove your damage was due to a sudden event, keep “before” photos of your house in good condition.

Moving Forward

Safety Is No.1. After a storm, make sure you and your family are safe. Check for hazards, such as fallen power lines. You may need to move to a temporary shelter. Do what you can to limit ongoing damage. For example, you may need to place a tarp over a hole in your roof.

Look Into Federal Help. Your local FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Assistance) office may be able to help you find emergency shelter. If the storm has caused widespread damage in your area, FEMA may already have an agent on the ground where you live.

Take Pictures, Take Notes. If your home was damaged, make detailed documentation.

File Your Claim. First, look at your insurance policy. You may not want to file a claim that’s smaller than your deductible. When you’re ready to file, reach out to your company. They’ll assign an agent to help you through the process. Keep records of your conversations with your agent. With persistence, you should soon have your property in tip-top shape again!

We have deep experience working with insurance companies to get claims processed. If you experience storm damage, contact us at any hour for quick assistance.

SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is Storm Ready

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

Storms will happen. We are ready. Are you?

When storms or floods hit, SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is ready!

We have seen an enormous amount of rain already this spring, and hurricane season started yesterday! 

Our professional teams are ready to respond to your home or business following water damage.

Since we are locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is able to respond quickly to your loss. We know that, by getting on site faster, we are able to reduce the damage and prevent additional damage, which keeps restoration costs lower.

While we're located in Rowlett, we are ready to serve wherever we're needed. Through our nationwide network of franchises and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the United States, we are equipped to handle any size disaster. We mobilized to help our neighbors in Houston when Hurricane Harvey hit. Whether the need is local or abroad, we are ready to respond.

Have storm or flood damage? 
Call us today 214-607-1900