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Get Ready for the Unpredictable Spring Weather | SERVPRO® of Madison/Goodlettsville
4/17/2019 (Permalink)
With the arrival of spring, not only are we able to enjoy the weather, but we must buckle up for the stormy ride Mother Nature may choose to send our way.
Spring brings us longer days and more sunshine, but unfortunately, it also presents the threat of severe weather throughout the country. It’s dealer’s choice this time of year, which means the weather may change at a moment’s notice.
With the unstable temperatures that we experience during spring, the weather can change in an hour, going from warm to cold. That temperature change can result in extreme weather changes as well.
Thunderstorms are plentiful during the spring season 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 studying natural catastrophe losses in the U.S. for 2017, severe thunderstorms were the most common 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.
They can bring about the threat of flooding, high winds and even tornadoes given the right conditions. It has been reported 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.
While it is currently not possible to predict the weather with 100% accuracy, forecasters have the technology available to them to give us an indication 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:
- Clear out your home’s gutters, drains and downspouts.
- Trim trees of precarious limbs or branches that could break off in a storm.
- Secure or store outdoor belongings if severe weather is in the forecast.
Also, be sure to have an emergency kit on hand. 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 Madison/Goodlettsville to get the cleanup and restoration process started fast.