How to Prepare for Winter Storms

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at (678) 515-8602 when disaster strikes from winter storms!

Take the time to prepare a winter survival kit for your home

The winter kits should include several days of non-perishable items, such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods, and dried fruits. An emergency supplies list should include an alternate way to stay warm during a power failure, such as kerosene for a kerosene heater or extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats.

Ensure that you have matches, a first aid kit with instruction manual, candles, flashlight or battery-powered lantern, battery-powered radio, battery-powered clock or watch, extra batteries, non-electric can opener, snow shovel, rock salt, any special needs items (diapers, hearing aid batteries, medications, and so forth)

Prepare your home for the coming storm

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, ensure that your chimney or flue has been inspected. Ensure that there is a working smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated.

Make sure to have a communication checklist

Listen to emergency broadcasts and weather forecasts. Get your phone batteries charged, and all devices that you may use.

Make a family communication plan. Your family may not be together during a winter event, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do during an emergency.

Look over your car and emergency checklist

Get gas in your car ahead of the storm. Check your antifreeze, oil, and wiper fluid.

Tornado Warning!

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at (678) 515-8602 if you encounter tornado damages.

Although tornadoes can strike instantaneously, there are certain precautions and preventative measures that one can take to increase the chances of surviving tornadoes. When a warning is issued, going to a basement or an interior first-floor room of a sturdy building significantly increases the chances of survival. Many buildings have storm cellars on the properties in the areas that are prone to tornadoes.

It is often thought that opening windows will reduce the damages caused by tornadoes. Opening windows may increase the severity of the tornado's damage. A violent tornado can destroy a house whether its windows are open or closed.

Contact your Local Emergency Management Agency to learn how your community sends warnings. Some communities use sirens, others use a mass notification system, while others depend on the media to alert residents of severe storms. Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Lightning Safety Tips

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at (678) 515-8602 if you encounter a natural disaster from a lightning storm.

According to the National Weather Service, there are about 25 million lightning strikes in the United States each year. Comply with the following lightning safety tips when a storm occurs:

• Immediately seek shelter in a substantial building and avoid the outdoors when thunderstorms are in the area. There is no place that is safe outside during a storm. Remain in the shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
• If you are caught outside and cannot find shelter, then go to a low-lying open place away from trees, poles, and metal objects. Ensure that the place you choose is not subject to flooding.
• Never touch any wires that fall or low-hanging wires, because they can kill. Telephone or cable TV wires that touch a power line can also be deadly.
• Never try to make your own electrical repairs to power equipment. Let trained professionals do the work.
• Never pull tree limbs off power lines yourself.
• Never go into areas with debris or trees that fall. Dangerous power lines may be buried in wreckages.
• Never go near chain-linked fences. Dangerous lines could be touching the metal.
• Never step in puddles, because they may be electrified.
• Never connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. Connect only essential appliances, such as freezers and refrigerators directly to a generator.
• Never walk into areas where professional Crews are working. Obey road signs and proceed cautiously if you are driving near work Crews.

Know What To Do When Lightning Storms Come

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at 678-515-8602 if your property is damaged by lightning storms.

It’s hard to know what to do when you are caught out in the open during a lightning storm. To take shelter under a big tree? To stand out in the open?

The best strategy is prevention. Monitor the weather forecast before going out, and look for darkening skies, lightning, or increasing wind. You are in danger if you can hear thunder. Therefore, find shelter in either a building or car.

If you are in the open, then be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Lying on the ground will make you a larger target. If you are in the woods, then take shelter under shorter trees or go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. If you are boating or swimming, then get to shore and find shelter.

Call 911 if someone is struck by lightning. If the person’s breathing has stopped, then begin rescue breathing. A trained person should give CPR if the victim’s heart has stopped breathing.

What should I do after a hurricane?

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at (678) 515-8602 immediately!

Hurricanes are strong storms that cause life and property threatening hazards, such as flooding, storm surge, high winds, and tornadoes. If you encounter a hurricane, ensure that you adhere to the following procedures after the storm:

• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it.
• Inspect your home for damages. Take pictures of the damages, both of the building and its contents for insurance purposes.
• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it is uncontaminated.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If you are in doubt, then throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
• Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

What should I do to Prepare for a Hurricane?

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t despair if you encounter storm damages from a ravaging hurricane. Contact SERVPRO® of Panthersville at 678-515-8602!

Ensure that you know the difference between hurricane watch and hurricane warning as follows:

• Hurricane Watch—hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed, and be ready to act if a warning is issued.
• Hurricane Warning—hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane as follows: 

• Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind, such as bicycles and lawn furniture.
• Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, then close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
• Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required, and make plans for your pets to be cared for during the hurricane.
• Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
• Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, therefore, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains, and other conditions that impact the U.S.

Extreme Weather

11/6/2021 (Permalink)

Do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Panthersville at (678) 515-8602 if your property encounters damages from severe weather conditions!

The weather is often changeable, but sometimes it is far hotter, colder, or windier than normal. Extreme weather is unusual or violent weather that can threaten lives and damage properties. Examples of the various extreme weather conditions are as follows:

• Hurricanes and typhoons are vast revolving storm systems that form over tropical oceans.
• A tornado is a rapidly spinning column of air that produces violent and destructive winds.
• Electrical storms bring thunder and lighting, strong winds, and heavy precipitation such as rain or hail.
• Blizzards are severe storms in freezing conditions, which bring heavy snowfall and very high winds.
• During an ice storm, rain freezes when it touches the ground, and coats everything in layers of ice.
• Heat waves are spells of unusually hot weather that can have adverse reactions to some people and destroy crops.