Thunderstorms can't be avoided, but you can prepare your home, vehicles, and family for what to do before, during, and after a storm.
Severe thunderstorms can produce large hail and strong winds in excess of 58 mph. Hail that is an inch in diameter or bigger can do serious damage to homes, vehicles, plants, etc. Downbursts can knock down trees, power lines, tree branches and anything loose in your yard causing all kinds of damage. Think about how many things you have in your front and backyard right now that are not bolted to the ground...now think about them getting picked up by a strong gust of wind and where they end up. This includes kids toys, trampolines, umbrellas, chairs, and any number of loose items. Some of the worse thunderstorms we see can produce winds in excess of 100 mph, softball sized hail, cloud to ground lightning, flash flooding, and tornadoes.
We all look forward to the warm spring and summer weather, but the same hot/warm air that we look forward to is also the catalyst for unstable weather conditions. It's important to keep a daily eye on the forecast throughout the season. These hazards are covered in more detail under the National Weather Service/NOAA's tornado, lightning safety and flood safety websites.
Preparing for a Thunderstorm
- Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for severe weather. Find an app for your phone that can prepare you for your day. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips. Make sure phones/flashlights are charged and with you, especially at night. Keep spare batteries or portable chargers at the ready for your phone, weather radio, flashlight, etc. You'll want them close by if the power goes out.
- Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents of severe storms. Turn on notifications on your phone alls as well.
- Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an what to do in an emergency, including creating a meeting place and how to communicate with each other in a storm. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Get more ideas for a plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
- Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
- Prepare Your Home : Regular maintenance of surrounding trees and branches trimmed near your house will prevent damage from weak, old, or rotting limbs. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
- Help Your Neighbor: If you have elderly or disabled neighbors, make sure they have the what they need to be safe and supported. Encourage your loved ones to prepare for severe thunderstorms. Take First Aid and CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt during severe weather.
What to do During a Thunderstorm
Being prepared is going to help you act more quickly with an approaching storm. Acting quickly is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts for when a storm hits.
- Stay Weather Ready: Check your weather apps and continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
- At Your House: Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching or already happening. Take your pets with you if time allows.
- At Your Workplace or School: Stay away from windows if you are in a severe thunderstorm warning and damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
- Outside: Go inside a sturdy building with solid walls immediately if severe thunderstorms are approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning.
- In a Vehicle: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time. The metal frame of the car protects you from hail and acts as a faraday cage which protects you from lightning strikes (unless the car is fiberglass or a convertible). Park somewhere safe with the windows rolled up, again away from trees or places where there is a chance of falling debris or loose items such as a construction site.
After a Thunderstorm
What should you do when the lightning and thunder stops and it looks likes the severe thunderstorm is over?
- Stay Informed: Continue checking your weather apps and listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. More severe thunderstorms could be headed your way.
- Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
- Assess the Damage: After you are sure the severe weather threat has ended, check your property for damages. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down and stay away from them. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
- Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people that are injured, the scene is safe, and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims until emergency response team members arrive.
If you have further questions about coverage for your personal property, including your home, vehicle, wind and hail policies, or anything else please get in touch with us. We are here to help prepare you to weather the storm. 910-762-8551 insurance@wellsins.com