Be Prepared for Summer Storms | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summertime is here in all its glory, and for many it means making great memories outdoors, playing sports or taking trips to the coast. But does it ever seem like while it’s the sunniest time of the year, it’s also the most likely time for you to get caught out in a random thunderstorm that makes you have to retreat?

There’s a reason for that.

While summer (particularly August) in Rockland County has the highest percentage of sunshine of any time of the year, the warm summer air combines with moisture to create an environment more likely to produce thunderstorms.

Be Storm-Alert

While we often don’t worry much about plain old thunderstorms because we see them so often, we should never write them off as harmless. You should pay careful attention to local weather alerts and forecasts, and consider postponing outdoor activities.

Procuring a battery-powered NOAA Weather radio will help you remain informed even in a power outage.

Flooding can happen quickly in thunderstorms, especially in areas where drainage is lacking, and if a flood alert is issued you’d do well to cancel any travel plans until you know it’s safe. And check the backyard for items that might get blown over or away by heavy storm winds—see if you can tie them down or store them out of harm’s way until the storm passes.

Storm readiness isn’t something we get excited about, but it can’t be neglected—there are dozens of storm-caused deaths each year, and many of them are preventable.

Be Storm-Safe

Staying indoors can keep you safe from the highest probability of lightning strikes. And the fact that it may stop raining doesn’t necessarily mean the outdoors are safe again: You should wait until you’ve heard no thunder for 30 minutes to return outside. This means the storm is far enough away that lightning isn’t a danger.

While indoors during a storm, windows and showers should be avoided. Windows can break if lightning strikes the house (or if debris is flying in heavy winds), and showers and water conduct electricity well enough to make them dangerous.

Keep an emergency kit ready for extreme situations like hurricanes or tornadoes—they can be lifesavers if you have to evacuate or spend extended time without power.

Stay on high ground or in the highest floor during flooding, and don’t touch flood water as it may contain contaminants or harmful chemicals. If you encounter flooded roads, turn around. Flood water can hide a completely washed away road, and it can carry your car away into danger as well.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass.

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.