SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield outlines the steps to mitigate storm damage.

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricanes and storms come with various extreme weather phenomena like high winds, storm surges, waterborne debris, Tornadoes, and more. Except for tornadoes, it is possible to design a structure to withstand the extreme conditions associated with storms and hurricanes.

Hurricane and storm mitigation can help safeguard your family and keep them from wreaking havoc on your home.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield, a leading water damage repair company in the El Paso area, have put together this guide to help homeowners mitigate the impact of storms and hurricanes.

Hurricane and Storm Preparedness Plan

When a hurricane is approaching an area, you usually have some time to take precautionary measures before the storm arrives. 

Here are some steps you can take to mitigate storms and hurricanes:

• Protect Your Doors and windows

Cover all exposed windows and glass surfaces with storm shutters, such as glass doors and skylights. You can find several types of shutters at your local construction supply stores or make your own shutters out of plywood.

Severe winds can also damage garage doors and double-entry doors. Consider installing reinforcing girts and strengthening the wheel tracks to improve the safety of your garage. You can also fortify double-entry doors by using sliding bolts, heavy-duty deadbolts, or longer hinge attachments on the door and frame.

• Follow The Guidelines For Cutting Down Trees

During strong winds, trees can fall and damage structures like power lines. Therefore, large trees and bushes should be pruned to prevent such occurrences. If a power outage occurs, maintain a safe distance, avoid stepping or jumping over the power lines, and avoid touching anything in direct contact with the downed power line.

• Protect wall hangings and outdoor items

Ensure your wall decorations are secure. Bring in any art hung outside and elevate it off the floor.

All outdoor patio furniture, bikes, potted plants, and toys should also be brought inside. Secure any outdoor sculpture with a blanket or burlap and fasten it with rope if required.

• Keep Critical Documents In A Safe Place

Important documents like birth certificates, legal papers, financial papers, marriage licenses, insurance policy documents, and valuables like jewelry, should all be kept safely in a deposit box or bolted safe in your closet.

• Reinforce Your Roof

Some roof types are more prone to storm damage than others. A roofing professional can advise you on whether or not adding reinforcement bracing is a wise idea. You can also have hurricane straps installed on your roof.

• Make Sure Your Yard Is Clean

Remove anything that can blow around and cause damage to your home during a storm. Bike racks, yard furniture, gardening equipment, roof shingles, grills, propane tanks, and construction materials should be moved inside or under cover. In high-wind situations, these items can be picked up and smashed into your home.

• Gather supplies

You may require food and other supplies to keep your and your family healthy and safe during and after a hurricane. It’s essential to be prepared and stock up on anything you may require right now. Ensure you have food, medical supplies, a flashlight, and others.

• Double-check your insurance coverage

Most basic homeowners' insurance covers hurricane and storm damage. However, it's a good idea to double-check. If your home is insured, keep a list of your most essential properties or videotape your home to visually capture your belongings to aid in the claims process.

Get Professional Hurricane and Storm Damage Services

While there’s a lot you can do to mitigate storm and hurricane damage, your home can still suffer some level of damage. What you do when this happens can help limit the level of damage you experience.

SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield is a leading hurricane and storm mitigation and restoration company in Metairie. They have years of experience helping homeowners prepare for hurricanes to prevent damage and providing storm damage restoration services for those affected.

They’ll help you clean your home or office to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Their team of technicians is highly experienced and available 24/7 for emergencies.