Georgia Storms

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can become a problem with little to no warning. Watching the news can keep us informed beforehand, but bad weather is still unpredictable, so we need to take steps to keep our homes safe from the damage that storms can cause.

All thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding. But because they are so common, people often become complacent and fail to take safety precautions.

Georgia’s greatest threats from severe thunderstorms are damaging straight-line winds and large hail. Straight-line winds can reach speeds in excess of 58 mph and produce damage similar to a tornado.

These winds occur about 75 days per year in Georgia and are most common in the spring and summer months, peaking in July. According to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Conducting an inspection of your home’s premises is vital to complete before inclement weather hits.

A leaky roof or windows can be big problem during extreme conditions such as heavy rains and high winds. Do all your exterior doors and windows fit correctly, and is the weather stripping in these areas in good condition? When is the last time you took a look at your roof to see if it is storm ready?

Loose shutters and rain gutters can present a real problem in high winds, as can unstable large trees. It’s a good idea to trim back trees and bushes with large heavy branches that are not in good condition so that windows and vehicles are not in danger of storm damage in high winds.

Many homes in older cities have drainage ditches at the front of the property. Take time to inspect this area and remove debris or dirt that might obstruct the flow of water from heavy rain. A clogged drainage ditch can cause a lot of damage by backing up and flooding your property both during or after a storm.

In the event of impending bad weather, do you have a system in place that will help you to get information to everyone? Most of us use our cell phones to communicate these days, but your cell phone service could be at risk when rough conditions hit.

You might consider installing a good old-fashioned landline, just in case. If you or a family member gets stuck or injured at work or out doing errands, they may need help, so it’s vital that lines of communication stay open.

SERVPRO of Gainesville, GA specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition. Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important.

The SERVPRO of Gainesville, GA team is experienced and equipped to assist you in the event of storm damage, fire damage, or mold issues. You can give us a call today at 770-536-1010.