Storm Safety for Your Beacon, NY Home

8/19/2024 (Permalink)

One of many homeowners that SERVPRO recently helped during terrible flooding conditions in the middle of August. SERVPRO to the rescue!

We’re all used to thunderstorms in the Hudson Valley, and sometimes damaging ones due to our location right on the Hudson River, but we don’t often think that they can also be dangerous or deadly. Just because they happen frequently does not mean they shouldn’t be taken seriously every time.

Severe thunderstorms can produce high winds, heavy rains, hail and lightning if conditions are right. Think of our communities just over the border in Connecticut that got what they’ve called “1,000-year flooding” in August of 2024. And in a small town in Delaware County, NY, flooding from thunderstorms took out the basements in homes of almost an entire street!

These were very unusual circumstances but regardless, being aware and thorough with storm safety can help you can evade many of the issues that could arise due to storms.

Storm Safety for Every Element of Your Home

Outside of your home-

Storms can lead to serious household damage that can be stressful and overwhelming to deal with. To help prevent this damage from occurring, you can take several steps:

• Inspect your roof regularly for missing or loose shingles. Look in the attic for any wet or damp spots (or even mold growth).
• Clean out your gutters at least twice per year. Debris and leaves can clog up the downspouts and cause water intrusion.
• Bring in or secure patio furniture, potted plants and any other objects that could become projectiles in high winds. This includes pool furniture, outside toys, trampolines, pet supplies and garbage cans. We’ve all seen garbage cans flying down the sidewalks and roads from time to time.
• Consider installing a lightning protection system for your home.
• Trim trees near your home regularly to reduce the chances of dead limbs falling on your home. If you notice any near power lines, notify your electric provider immediately so they can deal with them quickly. Don’t try to trim any branches near power lines or transformers.

Inside your home-

If severe weather is on the way, the best thing you can do is stay put where you are or stay safe at home—and having a plan in place can help you make that happen:

• Keep a weather radio, flashlights and batteries and spare car chargers or cell phone battery chargers as part of your emergency preparedness kit.
• Designate a safe area of your home for your family to shelter from the storm—it should be an interior room without any windows. Make sure all family members know the plan and location and that your pets can be with you indoors too.
• Use surge protectors on every outlet in case of lightning strikes.

When you are away from home-

If you will be going out of town for more than a day, it’s wise to make sure your home is still protected from a storm that might come through while you are away.

• Unplug all appliances and electronics in case of lightning strikes.
• Secure all outdoor furniture and possible projectile objects before you go away just in case. Think along the lines that pretty much anything outside can be a dangerous projectile.
• Be sure a trusted neighbor or family member knows you are going out of town so they can contact you if any issues arise. This is also helpful when it comes to home invasions that can occur when there’s less security.

*If you are travelling for a period of time, notify your homeowners insurance company so they can be aware as well. Insurance companies have great ideas and resources about things that should be done to protect your home, no matter the time of year.

If your home sustains any kind of storm damage, from roof leaks to flooded basements, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County is Here to Help®  24/7. Contact us today! We’ll be with you step by step, working with your insurance company to help get you back to preloss condition quickly and effectively. Making it “Like It Never Even Happened.” LOCALLY in the Hudson Valley since 1992.