Eight Hurricane Preparedness and Storm Damage Misconceptions Debunked

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton helps Carrollton residents prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather disasters by debunking seven common misconceptions about hurricane preparedness.

SERVPRO of Carrollton is always prepared to meet the storm damage restoration challenges presented by severe weather. Three out of every four years, a hurricane or tropical storm slams the Texas coastline. North Texas is particularly vulnerable. Available 24/7, the team of property damage restoration specialists utilize advanced equipment, cutting-edge moisture-detecting technology, specialized cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaners to tackle any disaster, including water damage from a hurricane or tropical storm.

The Carrollton SERVPRO professionals urge residents of Carrollton and the greater North Texas area to prepare for severe weather associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. SERVPRO of Carrollton is debunking seven myths and misconceptions about preparedness for a hurricane or tropical storm.

Seven Myths About Hurricane Preparedness

Myth #1: Preparing for disasters is time-consuming and expensive.

An emergency preparedness kit is very affordable, and it is free to subscribe to local and regional alerts and warnings. When it comes to mobile apps, many preparedness and weather apps are also available at no cost.

Supplies for the emergency kit do not have to be purchased all at once. Watch for sales, discounts, and coupons. Gather essential items first; buy the other supplies over time and as they go on sale. Stockpile an emergency food supply, and create a communication plan immediately. Both efforts will prove beneficial in any type of hazardous emergency.

Myth #2: In a wide-scale severe weather disaster, only first responders need to know what to do.

Everyone should understand appropriate survival and safety protocols to follow before, during, and after a hurricane. The goal is to protect lives. Communication systems and public utilities could go down and stay out of commission for days or even months. First responders may not reach disaster-stricken areas for hours or days after a hurricane strikes. All parties need to know what to do to stay safe.

Myth #3: Homeowners’ insurance should cover all property damage caused by a hurricane.

The truth is that homeowners insurance may not always cover all property damage resulting from a hurricane. Schedule a consultation with the insurance agent as a first step in preparing for severe weather events. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover property damage resulting from floodwaters.

Myth #4: An emergency kit is sufficient preparation for any emergency.

A survival kit does not come close to covering the full scope of emergency preparedness. Everyone should be subscribed to alert and weather apps. Arrangements should be in place to deal with a catastrophic failure of the communications grid. An approved evacuation plan should be easily accessible, and family members or business employees should be familiar with the evacuation plan.

Myth #5: Shallow floodwaters pose no real travel hazards.

A small SUV can float in one foot of floodwater. Larger vehicles can be caught in a current of water with a depth of only 18 inches. Sometimes it is impossible to accurately determine the depth of floodwaters on a roadway. Water currents exert tremendous forces on a vehicle. The best policy is to stay safe and to not travel through floodwaters. Hidden dangers such as washed-out roads may lurk beneath what appears to be very shallow water.

Myth #6: Evacuation can wait until the last minute.

If people wait for official confirmation that a hurricane is in the area, they may find themselves trapped by flooding, high winds, or traffic jams.

Myth #7: The reinforcement of windows with tape is adequate protection against the gale-force winds of a hurricane.

A taped window shattering in the high winds of a hurricane can create large, deadly glass shards. Protect windows and prevent personal injury by installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows. High-impact hurricane windows are engineered to withstand a direct impact from a two-by-four traveling over 180 mph.

Myth #8: The homeowner can handle storm damage as a DIY project.

DIY damage restoration projects can cause more problems than they solve. Most homeowners lack the training and certification that restoration companies have obtained. By failing to call in a professional damage restoration company at the first signs of damage, homeowners may forfeit insurance coverage of the damage.

Do not wait until the last minute or after a disaster to qualify a property damage restoration team to handle a water and storm damage disaster resulting from a hurricane. The phone lines may be jammed as tens of thousands of people scramble for assistance. A pre-qualified person or business is automatically at the front of the line. With an emergency response plan on file, technicians can begin the restoration process as soon as they arrive. Act today in order to save time, prevent frustrating delays, limit the scope of the damage, reduce the cost of the restoration, and shorten the length of the restoration project.

For more information about storm damage restoration services in Dallas, TX, email SERVPRO of Carrollton at office@SERVPRO10952.com or call (972) 446-0383