Severe Weather Preparedness

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jefferson City. Always ready to help with storm damage.

When you live in the SERVPRO of Jefferson City area you know that storms are inevitable and preparing for a storm is important for your safety, whether at your home or business.  Check out the following tips:

Before The Storm:
* Develop a disaster plan for you and your family at home, work, school and when outdoors.
* Identify a safe place to take shelter.
* Have frequent drills.
* Know the county in which you live or visit so you know if your area is under posted bulletins and warnings.
* Keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
* Have a portable Weather Radio with a warnings alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.
* Listen to TV or radio for weather information, or go online.
* Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended periods outdoors. Watch for signs of approaching storms.
* If severe weather threatens, check on people who are elderly, very young or physically or mentally disabled.
* Don't forget about pets.

During A Tornado Warning:

* If you're in a house with a basement: Get into the basement and under sturdy protection (like a work bench or table) or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Avoid being under heavy objects on the floor above you (i.e. refrigerator).
* If you're in a house with NO basement: Avoid windows and go to a room in the center of the building, like a bathroom or closet, under a stairwell or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor facing down and cover your head with your hands. Surround yourself with pillows or couch cushions.
* If you're in a mobile home: Get out! Even tied down, a mobile home is not safe in a tornado.
* If you're outdoors: Find a sturdy building if possible. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back or your head with your arms. Stay away from objects that could be moved by the wind.
* If you're in a vehicle: Park the automobile out of traffic lanes. Get to a sturdy building, or get to low ground and lie flat, face-down. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges.
* If you're at a school: Listen to teaching staff or administration for directions. Auditoriums, gyms and other free-span rooms are not an ideal shelter. Go to interior rooms on the lowest floor but avoid halls that open to the outside in any direction. Stay away from glass. Crouch and cover your head with your hands.
* If you're at a shopping center, hospital or factory: Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass-enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs. Crouch down and cover your head with your hands.

Preparation is key.  Have a plan.  Create a communications plan for your home and business.  Share your plan with family and co-workers.   

SERVPRO of Jefferson City (573-635-5883) can help you be “Ready for whatever happens!”  Check out our storm damage cleanup and restoration page at https://www.SERVPROjeffersoncity.com/storm-flooding-restoration