Easter weekend is upon us with all of its idyllic images of sunshine, flowers, fluffy baby animals, and lots of celebratory chocolate. Beneath the surface, however, is the fact that we are right in the middle of peak severe weather season. True, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can hit virtually at any time, but around here, they generally peak during the spring months of March, April, and May. Some of you have been dealing with severe weather all of your life. For others, this might be a relatively new phenomenon for you to manage.
It is always good to remind ourselves of best practices when it comes to severe weather. Just like school children who practice all sorts of emergency drills several times every year, we benefit from making sure our emergency plan is regularly well curated and up to date. Here are our tips for how to survive severe weather and keep yourself, your people, and your home as safe as possible.
First, make sure you understand what “severe weather” entails. Here in Southern Indiana, our severe weather is made up of severe thunderstorms (that come with fierce straight-line winds) and tornadoes. Occasionally, we might have the remnants of a tropical storm blow through from weakened hurricanes in the gulf, but usually by the times those systems reach us, we just get a deluge of rain. Very occasionally, in winter, we might have a severe snow or ice event, but again that is not common. As a rule of thumb, if you know how to prepare for severe weather in general, you will probably be ready for anything, if you follow a few principals.
It is important to know the difference between a “watch” and a “warning.” In general, a “watch” means that conditions exist in which a severe weather event could develop. Sometimes, watches will be upgraded to warnings. A “warning” is an upgrade of a watch and indicates that meteorologists have observed actual severe weather (either a severe thunderstorm, tornado, or flood) and that this weather presents an imminent threat for your area. When a warning is issued, you need to take action immediately, stay extra vigilant, and maybe even take cover. The following terms are used to describe severe weather events. For more specifics, you can find specific definitions here:
- Tornado
- Tornado Warning
- Tornado Watch
- Severe Thunderstorm
- Severe Thunderstorm watch
- Flash flood
- Urban and small stream flooding
Information is power. Therefore, staying on top of developing weather is the first step in keeping yourself safe. Locally, storm sirens are usually our first clue that bad weather is on the way and that we need to turn on the television or radio. With the internet in our pockets and on our desktops, we can keep track of weather changes so much more easily these days than olden times. Our local stations, versus national sites, are the best options for the most up-to-date information. Most local media companies have an app or website that gives you the option of setting up severe weather alerts.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is the primary source of weather data and provider of forecasts and warnings for the United States. The NWS is organized into 122 weather forecast centers (our closest one is in Paducah, KY). You can also subscribe directly for NWS updates.
Once you understand what to watch for and where to watch for it, the next step is to make a plan for when the weather does hit.
- Stay informed and figure out how you will stay informed through the course of the weather in case the electricity goes out.
- Have a plan. Where in your home will you shelter in place until the weather event is over? Do your children know where it is? This place needs to be in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of your house without windows.
- Prepare the outside of your home by storing cars in your garage, bringing in potted plants, and putting away outdoor equipment.
- Regular maintenance can really help your home survive storms with minimal damage, so also make sure you keep trees pruned, remove dead/dying trees, and keep gutters and drains cleaned out.
- If you have a generator, make sure it works!
- Create an emergency kit: bottled water, flashlights, first aid kit, non-perishable food, blankets, phone chargers and batteries, radio. Also, make sure you know where your important documents are and keep copies with you if they are not in a safety deposit box or in-home safe
- Practice. Or at least talk through your plan on a regular basis with your family so that everyone is on the same page.
After the storm passes and you’ve breathed that initial sign of relief, you will want to asses your home to see if any damage has been done. Make sure you check out the following things and if you need an expert eye, your F.C. Tucker Emge REALTOR® has professionals you can trust to give you honest feedback.
- Check roof for damaged, missing or lifted shingles
- Look at gutters to make there they are still fully attached, not dented, and not overflowing with debris
- Inspect windows and check for cracked glass and damaged frames
- Look carefully at siding, keeping an eye out for dings and dents
- Check attic and basement or crawl space for water stains or standing water
- Double check you HVAC equipment for damage and make sure it is running correctly
If you do have damage, in addition to calling a professional for help with repairs, you might also consider calling your insurance agent to check the terms of your homeowners policy and what will be covered subject to your deductible.
You will also, more than likely, have some clean-up to do outside after the storm passes. Depending on the severity of the storm and amount and type of debris, you may need to have some supplies before you tackle the detritus. Definitely use gloves, and get heavy duty trash bags. Steer clear of spilt chemicals, and keep children out of harm’s way.
Lastly, be a good neighbor: check on the people who live close by, make sure they are okay, and ask if they need help with clean-up or repairs.
There are a myriad of sources online for educating yourself more on how to prepare for and survive severe weather. We hope that everyone stays safe this storm season and that you will always consider us your first source for information pertaining to your home. Let’s Talk!
