How to Prepare for Unpredictable Spring Weather | SERVPRO® of Santa Clarita Valley

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Lightning is a common source of damage and destruction for homeowners or their property.

The spring season is here, meaning we can enjoy delightful weather, but we must also buckle up for whatever Mother Nature may choose to send our way.

Severe Weather in the Spring

With spring comes longer days and more sunshine, but unfortunately, the season also brings with it the threat of severe weather throughout the country. It’s an uncertain time of year, which means the weather may change at moment’s notice.

Unstable temperatures are the cause for changing weather, going from warm to cold in even the same day. That temperature change can result in extreme weather changes as well.

Thunderstorms become more common throughout the spring and are the main cause of severe weather. They can occur whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, which is most common in the spring and summer.

When looking at natural catastrophe losses in the U.S. for 2017, severe thunderstorms caused the most losses and produced some of the costliest results. Out of 50 events, there were 85 fatalities and an estimated total of $25.4 billion in overall losses.

Whenever there is a severe thunderstorm present, they can bring about a threat of flooding, high winds and even tornadoes if the conditions are right. It has been found that in modern history, 10% of all violent tornadoes have occurred in March, with April, May and June taking the top spots at 30%, 24% and 15% respectively.

Prepping for Mother Nature’s Choice

We are not able to predict the weather with 100% accuracy, but fortunately, there are tools available to forecasters to at least give us warning that severe weather could be coming. Advanced warnings, along with the right preparation, can greatly improve overall safety for your family.

Here are some things you can do to your home to prepare for the chance of severe weather:

1. Clear out your home’s gutters, drains and downspouts.
2. Trim trees of precarious limbs or branches that could break off in a storm.
3. Secure or store outdoor belongings if severe weather is in the forecast.

Having an emergency kit on hand is always advised. These kits should include the following:

• Battery-operated flashlight and NOAA weather radio, with extra batteries for both
• Emergency evacuation or shelter plans
• Important personal info, like telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends, insurance and property info, numbers for the utility companies, and medical info
• A first-aid kit with things like non-latex gloves, adhesive bandages, tweezers, sterile gauze pads, aspirin packets, adhesive cloth tape and scissors
• 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bag

Despite its unpredictability, there is one thing that always remains true of the spring weather season: It always happens. If your home or business is damaged in a storm, you can depend on SERVPRO® of Santa Clarita Valley to get the cleanup and restoration process started fast.