Storm Safety in Dallas

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in disaster restoration in Dallas, TX. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986.

Planning is essential to keeping your family and property safe during a storm.  While many major storm events are often seen coming ahead of time and allow time for preparation, others happen almost without warning.  

The best plan for safety is to plan ahead.  It’s always better to be over-prepared than underprepared.  

When preparing for a storm, keep the following in mind.  

Storm Watch

What is a storm watch?  We’re watching to see what develops.  

A storm watch means there may or may not be severe weather coming.  Keep your eye on the forecast and remain vigilant.

If there is any prep you need to get ready for any severe weather, do it now.  This may include:

• Bringing in pets from the outdoors.
• Tying down or bringing in outdoors items that may go airborne.
• Make sure your safe room is ready.

Storm Warning

What’s a storm warning?  A storm is either happening or is about to happen soon.  Take action now!

When you hear the forecast call for a storm warning, the storm is definitely going to happen.  Get your family and pets to a safe location immediately, and follow local emergency management instructions.  

Weather Apps

There is an abundance of free weather applications that will help you keep updated on weather forecasts.  Choose your favorite application and allow it to send you severe weather alerts. Here are just a few you can use:

The Weather Channel.  This app shows you temperature forecasts on an hourly and daily basis.  It also has an interactive Doppler radar map that shows rainfall and severe weather.  

The Weather Channel on Google Play Store (Android)

The Weather Channel on iTunes (Apple)

Yahoo! Weather.  This app shows you detailed 5-day forecasts and interactive radar maps.  

Yahoo! Weather on Google Play Store (Android)

Yahoo! Weather on iTunes (Apple)

AccuWeather.  This app gives you a 15-day forecast that you can integrate with your phone or tablet’s calendar.  It also gives you detailed forecast information for the next two hours.

AccuWeather on Google Play Store (Android)

AccuWeather on iTunes (Apple)

Weather Underground.  This app uses a compilation of thousands of weather stations to gather its data.  You can receive forecasts as specific as by the hour or as general as a 10-day preview.

Weather Underground on Google Play Store (Android)

Weather Underground on iTunes (Apple)

Emergency: Alerts by the American Red Cross.  This app gives you the option to follow information from various cities.  It’ll alert you about severe weather, and it’ll also give you information about Red Cross activities like shelters.

Emergency: Alerts on Google Play Store (Android)

Emergency: Alerts on iTunes (Apple)

Emergency Management for North Texas

North Texas doesn’t have to worry about the immediate effects of hurricanes, but many portions of Dallas Fort Worth are still prone to flooding from severe thunderstorms.  Our home has also seen major wind and hail storms and tornadoes.

Keep up to date with important weather announcements.  There are many local emergency management offices that are charged with instructing citizens on the latest weather threats and helping them stay informed.  Follow your local emergency management office on social media or sign up to receive weather alerts on your phone.

Dallas Emergency Management

• Sign up for Dallas OEM Alerts
• Twitter: @DallasOEM
• Facebook: OEMDallas

Tarrant County Emergency Management

• Tarrant County Emergency Management Website
• Twitter: @TarrantOEM
• Facebook: TarrantOEM

Collin County Emergency Management

Denton County Emergency Alerts

Ellis County Emergency Management

FEMA

• FEMA Website
• FEMA App for nationwide alerts, tips, and shelter information.  
• FEMA on Google Play Store (Android)
• FEMA on iTunes (Apple)

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

If you an individual living in Texas that needs assistance during major emergency situations, consider signing up for the STEAR program.  The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry is a free, voluntary, and confidential program designed to assist Texans during emergency events such as natural disasters.  Signing up for the program helps emergency responders plan for each community’s needs.

STEAR is made for:

• People with disabilities
• People with access and functional needs such as:
  • Limited mobility
  • Communication barriers
  • Requiring additional medical assistance
  • Requiring transportation assistance
  • Requiring personal care assistance

Register Online at State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry or dial 2-1-1.

Hurricane Safety or Severe Thunderstorm Safety

Hurricanes and severe thunderstorms are the main reasons portions of Texas sometimes find themselves flooded.  In these cases, storm waters may overwhelm our drainage systems and eventually cause the water to rise high enough to enter our homes and businesses.

Texas Flood Zone Map

If your property is in a flood zone, please strongly consider purchasing flood insurance.  Storm flooding is not always covered in homeowner’s insurance!

Learn more about flood insurance at floodsmart.gov. 

Flood zones are areas defined by FEMA.  Input your property’s address in FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to know if you are in a flood zone or not.  

Hurricane Preparedness

• Reinforce doors and windows.  Wind and debris may cause damage to these vulnerable parts of your home.  We recommend boarding up your doors and windows.
• Anchor outdoor items.  Strong winds tend to blow items into the air, which can then cause considerable damage as they are airborne or land once again.  
• Trim tree branches.  We’ve seen the devastation a fallen tree can cause to homes and vehicles.  Consider trimming branches that have a chance of falling on your home.
• Clean gutters and drains.  Backed up water systems can cause damage to your roof, which then trickles water into your home or attic.  The last thing you need on your mind in the middle of a storm is water damage. Take care of this basic home maintenance ahead of time.
• Buy sandbags.  If your yard is prone to flooding, sandbags may help the water from coming into your house.  Unclogging french drains will help your yard’s drainage.
• Move valuable items away from low lying areas in your home.  If you can elevate items--do this. We saw many families take their first floor items to the second floor during Hurricane Harvey.  Doing this helped save furniture, rugs, and electronics.
• Have basic home supplies to help prepare your home.  Go to the hardware store early as many stores tend to run out of supplies in the event of an emergency.  Purchase:
• Extra plywood
• Hammer
• Nails
• Plastic sheeting - 6mm
• Duct tape
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Multi-purpose tool
• Work gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Prepare a home inventory.  If your property is damaged or destroyed, a home inventory is a great way to prove to your insurance company what items it should help you replace.  
• Have a first aid kit.  Our first aid kit recommendation is easy to build at home.  
• Have a family communications plan.  Know where to meet your family in case you are separated.  Phone lines may not be functioning during the storm.

Tornado Safety

Tornadoes can happen anywhere. If you see a tornado warning, make sure your safe room or space is prepped for your entire family and pets. If time permits, you may also consider tying down loose outdoor objects or bring them in to prevent them from being dangerous airborne debris that may cause harm to other objects or people.

What makes up a safe space?  

• Choose a place on the first floor of your property that is away from windows.  
• Make sure its large enough for your family and pets.  
• If possible, keep a battery operated radio and a first aid kit with prescription medications and water with you.  
• Take your charged mobile phones.
• If you are in a multistory building without a basement, choose a hallway.  
• Mobile homes are not safe spaces; please seek a building to shelter in.

Wind and Hail Safety

Be proactive to help protect your property as much as possible. Damage may not always be possible to avoid, but fixing previous damage to your home or business may prevent serious damage from the storm like water intrusion and roof damage.

Check for:

• Damaged shingles.
• Missing shingles.
• Clogged water drains. If your drains are clogged and rain also falls with the storm, you are risking water buildup that could enter your home and cause water damage.

Other considerations:

• Bring all pets indoors.
• Stay indoors.
• Keep away from skylights and windows.
• Close your drapes and curtains.

Dallas Storm Damage Repair

If you’ve experienced storm damage, we’re here to help. Dallas storm damage and restoration is available 24 hours a day every day of the year for emergency flood repair in Dallas Fort Worth.  Our franchise restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986. We are leaders in Texas disaster restoration having responded to many storms, including Hurricane Harvey.

We offer:

• Dallas water damage restoration
• Flood cleanup
• Roof tarping
• Board up - doors, windows, outer walls
• Moving services
• Debris removal
• Reconstruction services for any part of your home that was permanently damaged, including roof replacement.

Know what to expect when you’re waiting for storm damage repair. Read our article here.  

Trusted Leader in Dallas Flooding Restoration

SERVPRO of North Irving is a leader in the restoration industry and has the expertise to handle storm damage cleanup company in Dallas, TX.  We have helped restore communities in our home of North Texas for over 30 years, and our franchise has also traveled to disaster locations such as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster.  We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to handle your restoration needs.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677.  Call us any time!

We are a family-owned and operated business. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.