Dallas Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Preparing your home against wind and water damage should happen before the storm arrives.  (Photo credit: FEMA)

The best time to prepare your property for an incoming storm or hurricane is before a storm hits. If your area is a flood zone and has a probability of being affected by a hurricane, don’t wait -- take action now.

Flood Zones

Flood zones are areas defined by FEMA.  Do you know if you’re in a flood zone? Check out FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to find out.  Just put in your home or business address.

If you’re in a flood zone, consider getting flood insurance.  Many regular homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by rising water.  Contact your insurance company to know exactly what is covered and what more you can do to protect your home in case of storm damage.

Hurricane Preparedness Kit: Buy Early

As you prepare your home for a hurricane, know that many other people will, too.  It’s best to stock up early to avoid a run on supplies. Home hardware stores and other retail stores tend to run out of food and supplies as many people in the community rush to prepare.

Don’t depend on your local store being able to restock soon.  If roads are damaged or flooded, stores may not be restocked frequently or at all throughout the duration of the storm.  This was very common during Hurricane Harvey when our own cleanup and restoration crews had to purchase and load our supply trailers with items from Dallas due to a shortage in Houston and Galveston.

Types of Dallas Hurricane Damage to Prepare For

Wind Damage

Wind damage is damage to your property that is caused by wind.  The wind does not have to be caused by a hurricane or a tornado.  There are times when places around the nation have wind storms.

There are a few things to consider when thinking about wind damage.  

Damage caused to your property directly by the wind.  Wind may blow out your doors, windows, and even damage your roof.  The most vulnerable areas double doors, large windows, and windows with multiple panes.

To do: Reinforce doors and windows.  Many people choose to board up their windows.

If you do not have permanent wind shutters, strongly consider building some onto your property.

Windborne debris.  When the winds are strong, they are likely to pick up items from the street or backyards and blow them around.  This is when you see trampolines landing on a neighbor’s roof and destroyed potted plants. Go outside to your yard and see what is not anchored down -- how much damage could that object cause if the wind picked it up and hurled it at your home?

To do: Anchor outdoor objects or bring them inside.  

Trees.  If any tree on your property broke due to the wind, would it hurt your home?  We have been called to many tree damaged properties where trees weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds have had to be removed off a property.

To do: trim branches that are likely to snap.  Talk to a lumberjack about removing large trees.  

If you are interested in buying or building a storm shelter, make sure it meets ICC 500 Criteria.

Wind Damage Checklist:

• Purchase window and door board up materials.
• Have your roof inspected and loose shingles fixed.
• Anchor items outdoors that may be picked up by the wind.
• Trim your yard’s trees.

Dallas Water Damage Restoration and Flood Damage Repair

With enough time, water will find a way to get anywhere.  However, there are still steps to make your property more flood resistant such as:

• Clean gutters and drains.  When its raining hard, the water needs to have a place to go.  If your storm drains and gutters are clogged, that water will pool on your roof and eventually find its way into your home.  
• Water alarms and sump pumps.  A water alarm rings its siren when it comes into contact with water.  This won’t fix your problem, but it’ll give you a chance to know something is wrong and try to fix it before it gets worse.  A sump pump may help you remove water to lessen the damage.
• Install “check valves” in your sewer line to prevent flood water from backing up into your drains.  
• Elevate your water heater and electric panel if the areas they’re in are susceptible to flooding.  If your electrical system has been compromised by rising water, the water damage restoration company you use may choose to not use your home’s electricity to run machinery until it’s been checked out by a professional.  This may not sound like much, but finding service professionals during a storm isn’t always easy.

Water Damage Checklist:

• Buy sand packs if your yard is prone to flooding.  Put them at the base of doors.
• Clean your gutters and drains.
• If you have french drains, make sure they are not clogged or prone to clogging.
• Purchase a water alarm and sump pump.
• Install check valves in your sewer line.
• Elevate your electrical panel if it's too close to the ground.

Contents and Household Items

If your property is prone to flooding and you have a second story, consider moving your valuables upstairs to keep them from being damaged.  During Hurricane Harvey, we met many homeowners who saved their home’s contents by doing exactly this.

Contents and Household Items Checklist:

• Moving blankets
• Tape
• Hand truck

Have a Home Supply of Hardware and Tools

Have extra plywood, plastic sheeting (we recommend 6mm), duct tape, and sandbags to protect your property.  Must have tools to have on hand include a flashlight and a multi-purpose tool.

Home Supply Checklist:

• Extra plywood
• Hammer
• Nails
• Plastic sheeting - 6mm
• Duct tape
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Multi-purpose tool
• Work gloves
• Protective eyewear

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

• Build a hurricane emergency supply kit
• Build a DIY first aid kit
• Prepare a home inventory of your household items
• Create a family communications plan
• Sign up to receive alerts from your county’s office of emergency management and FEMA
• If you have a disability, consider signing up for the Texas Emergency Assistance Registry Program (STEAR)

Trusted Leader in Dallas Storm Damage Restoration

SERVPRO of North Irving is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas, Texas. We have performed work in Dallas and other North Texas communities for more than 30 years. 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 restore your home or business.

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!

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