Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
Stay Safe When Lightning Strikes
7/10/2023 (Permalink)
If your home has been damaged by a storm, contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, and Fort Valley 24/7 to get the recovery process started.
While lighting striking your home may seem like a rare phenomenon, it’s way more common than you’d think. Each year, one in 200 homes is struck by lightning, and there are around 20 lightning-related fatalities annually in the United States.
Knowing what to do and where to go during storms is the best way to protect yourself from this hazard that is created by severe weather. Lightning can not only be a danger to humans but to homes as well. While the path of lightning is unpredictable, knowing the facts can help you best avoid these unexpected bolts from the blue.
The Facts About Lightning
Lightning is a strong sudden burst of electricity, which can travel at about 220,000,000 mph!
Lighting is usually produced during thunderstorms and is more likely to develop during the spring and summer seasons.
While lightning can touch down near or inside your home and create flames, it doesn’t have to strike your home to damage it. When lighting strikes items near your home such as concrete or your gutters, it can surge your home’s electrical system.
A direct hit can also cause damage to electrical and non-electrical items inside your property or severely damage your home’s foundation, chimney and roof.
Here’s how to protect yourself and your home:
Safeguard your home. The simplest way to protect the inside of your home from lighting is by unplugging all electronics before a storm or as soon as you hear a clap of thunder. Lightning is capable of ruining phones, computers and even that fancy new television you just bought.
There are other effective ways to defend your property, but they may be more costly. Of course, approaches such as installing lightning rods on your roof, grounding your home and investing in surge protectors to protect electronics are still beneficial. These precautions could significantly reduce your risk of exterior property damage from lightning.
Know where to shelter. A safe shelter is essential for avoiding lightning. Seek shelter in an enclosed building or a car with a hard-topped roof. If you happen to be outside during a storm and you are unable to seek shelter indoors, avoid bodies of water and shelter near lower trees.
The best way to know when it’s safe to leave your shelter is by listening for thunder. Wait about 30 minutes after hearing a clap of thunder before returning outside.
Unplug your stuff. As stated above, it’s crucial to unplug any electric devices before a storm touches down in your area. If lightning were to strike a nearby electrical pole, it could lead to an electrical surge and completely fry any plugged-in devices.
Making sure to do this ahead of storms is crucial because unplugging equipment during storms puts you at risk of being electrocuted. Staying weather-aware can help you know when it’s time to unplug any devices and seek appropriate shelter.
If your home is impacted by any weather hazards like lightning, our professionals at SERVPRO can be on the scene fast. We have years of experience restoring storm-damaged homes to their preloss state.
How to Prepare Your Home for Severe Weather
6/23/2022 (Permalink)
??If your home has been damaged by a storm, call SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley to help you recover faster.
The weather can be unpredictable. Severe storms that bring floods, heavy winds, hail and other hazards can suddenly sweep through and destroy lives. That’s why it’s advisable to take precautions around the house ahead of time to minimize damage.
Water damage and ruined infrastructure are the most costly consequences of a strong storm. And it can be costly—the national average cost of repairing your home after a storm is around $9,800. Preparing your Conyers home before storm season could save you money in the long run.
Start with these precautions you can take around your home to secure it before a storm:
Keep valuables safe. Flood water is notorious for ruining valuables within the home. Items such as family photos, clothing, heirlooms and other valuables can be protected from water damage by storing them in a watertight container. Keep them up high, preferably on a shelf or in your attic, where floodwater can not reach them.
Secure your roof. Your roof protects the interior of your home by keeping water out. When preparing for a storm, it is critical to reinforce your roof. Keep it well-maintained by nailing down or replacing any loose shingles. Once a storm has passed, have the roof inspected to ensure it’s still in good, working condition.
Clean your gutters and downspouts. July is usually the wettest month in Conyers, but storms can arrive at any time, bringing heavy rain that will rush through your gutters. When functioning optimally, the gutters and downspouts keep rainwater from running down the sides of your house and causing structural damage. Be sure to clear them of any leaves, twigs and any other debris to keep the water flowing.
Do some yard work. Cleaning up around the lawn can keep trees and debris from falling on your house during high winds. Trim any large branches that reach for your roof or are close to your house since they can break off and damage anything in their path. Clear dead plants, branches or shrubs to keep strong winds from blowing them against your windows or walls.
You can’t completely avoid storms, but you can do everything you can to protect yourself and your house. Regular weather maintenance and awareness is an effective strategy to safeguard your belongings and property from the consequences of severe storms.
If your home has been affected by water or infrastructure damage as a result of a major storm, we specialize in home restoration. Contact us right away, and we can restore your home to its preloss condition.
Storm Preparation Can Save Your Life
6/8/2022 (Permalink)
Storm preparation can save your life, let SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley help you get ready.
When a severe storm warning is issued, you race to prepare, unsure of what to do first to keep you and your family safe. Preparing for storms ahead of time can keep you from having to rush to make a plan.
But with that in mind, 42% of Americans say they do not have an evacuation plan in place. A lack of preparation for an impending storm puts you at risk of the storm’s fatal effects.
Here are a few steps you should take ahead of time to prepare:
Develop a safety plan. The first step in storm preparation is to create a safety plan. Make a household meeting place and, in the event of an evacuation, know where you need to go. Make sure that everyone in your household is aware of any impending weather events and what they can do to stay safe.
Pack an emergency kit. Having an emergency kit on hand ensures that all of the essential items you may need in the event of an emergency or evacuation are all in one place. Items such as emergency food and water, medical supplies, flashlights, and a first-aid kit should be included. Keep your kit in a location where everyone in the house can access it when needed.
Prepare valuable possessions. Flood water can enter your home during severe storms, and if your belongings aren’t in a safe area, they might be ruined by water damage. Passports, birth certificates, family photos and any other items that are too important to lose should be stored in a plastic bag or a waterproof container.
Stay informed. Keep an eye out for local weather alerts to get ahead of any approaching storms. You can stay up to date on current weather events by listening to local radio and television stations. Make sure you understand the difference between a storm warning and a storm watch, as they require distinct preparation measures.
Find a safe place to stay. If you need to shelter in place, stay in your basement or an interior room with no windows. If you feel you need to find a safer place to shelter, you can search for a local mass care shelter to evacuate to. Wherever you find yourself during a storm, be sure to always bring your emergency kit.
When severe storms damage your property, quick action can prevent further damage. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to repair storm damage of any size ASAP.
Do You Have a Plan for Staff Safety in Severe Weather?
4/9/2022 (Permalink)
Do you have a Plan for Severe Weather? Reach out to SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley today for help.
Severe weather can be an extremely dangerous thing. Not only is it often unpredictable, but it is also quick-moving—meaning waiting to prepare when it becomes imminent can put you in harm’s way.
If you are a business owner, preparing in advance is even more important, as it will help you keep both yourself and your staff safer in the event of weather concerns.
If you have not yet put together a plan for severe weather, now would be the time to do so. Not only is it a requirement from OSHA that you have an emergency action plan in place, but it is also a smart way to keep everyone calm and comfortable even when the weather goes south. There are a lot of key elements in emergency planning, but below, we will focus specifically on some things to consider to keep your staff safe.
How to Keep Your Staff Safe During Severe Weather
**Make planning a collaborative process.** Having an emergency action plan is great, but it does not do much good for your organization if no one is aware of what the plan is. Make sure you include your staff in the planning process and keep them aware of what protocols to follow should severe weather become imminent.
**Make sure everyone’s needs are accounted for.** It is a good idea to pack a general emergency kit for your workplace to cover things like flashlights, first-aid supplies and general items to keep everyone comfortable in the event of a power outage. However, you should also encourage staff to have their own personal emergency kits that meet their needs—that way, if there is an emergency scenario, they will have access to necessities such as medication and personal items.
**Make it clear where everyone should go.** In the event of a severe weather event, you and your staff will need to seek shelter on-site until the threat passes. Be sure you have a safe area clearly identified so staff know exactly where to go. This area should not have any windows or external-facing walls, and ideally will be at or below the building’s ground floor.
*If your building has damage due to severe weather, we are the team to call! Contact us today to learn more about our storm restoration practices.*
Potential Spring Weather Hazards Across The Country and Close to Home
4/4/2022 (Permalink)
Extreme temperature changes can lead to the possibility of severe weather. SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley is a just a click away.
The United States is the third largest nation in the world, coming in behind Russia and Canada based on land mass.
When you have such a large geographical area encompassed in one country, “spring weather” season can have a much different meaning depending on where you are. There are all types of different weather events, which means there will also be different weather threats.
With spring right around the corner, read on for a look at what different parts of the country can expect, weather-wise.
First, let’s take a look at the Pacific Northwest region. The residents here experience heavy rainfalls during the spring months, causing flooding and water damage. There are areas with high elevations that may be dealing with a different type of wet weather—remnants of snow or ice melting, which cause problems of their own.
Now looking at the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions, these regions basically don’t know the difference between winter and spring! This region experiences winter weather to the fullest, dealing with snowstorms and blizzards all the way until early summer at times.
Then you have people living on the West Coast who don’t even know what winter weather is, as it’s almost non-existent in this area. Rather than blizzards or snow, they are dealing with excessive heat waves. These heat waves can endanger the lives of those living in the area, and they also contribute to wildfire conditions.
When you get to the middle part of the United States, you will notice that from Iowa to Texas they are dealing with dry, windy weather! Things like wildfires, windstorms and derechos are just a few of the weather hazards this area faces during spring. Not to mention an area that is named “Tornado Alley” is in this region as well.
Then you have the Southeast region, where we are located. We see spring as a wonderful time of the year; however, we do experience our fair share of weather hazards. Intense thunderstorms and even tornadoes are common this time of year. And states that border the ocean also have to look out for rip currents and early-season hurricanes.
So, what’s the point here? No matter what “spring weather” looks like in your neck of the woods, there are always weather hazards! That’s why despite of where you live, you will need to be prepared for any kind of weather event.
If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.
Tornadoes 101
3/31/2022 (Permalink)
Spring storms can cause major damage to your property. If you experience any damage reach out to SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley.
Georgia is prone to severe weather of all types but is particularly prone to thunderstorms and tornadoes. All of Georgia is prone to tornadoes throughout the whole year, but they are most likely to occur from March through May and peaking in April.
When there is severe weather, be sure to keep a close eye on how the weather changes and know how to identify tornadoes. Tornadoes are often accompanied by thunderstorms and can develop quickly, so it’s important to have dependable ways to get updates about storms by turning on your radio or TV, or by having notifications on your phone for weather alerts.
A tornado watch means that there hasn’t been a tornado sighting yet, but the weather is favorable for them to happen.
Once a tornado watch is issued, it’s important to stay notified through the tornado warning system in your area, stay tuned to local radio stations or an NOAA radio or have notifications on your mobile device for weather updates.
Most tornado-prone areas have an outdoor siren system. Know how to distinguish between the siren’s warnings for a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
A tornado warning is sent out as soon as a tornado has been spotted or shown on the weather radar. You should seek shelter as soon as a tornado is on the way.
Some tornadoes come quickly and without warning, so it is important to know what to look for. Signs that a tornado may be approaching include:
- A rotating funnel-shaped cloud
- Dark or green-colored sky
- Large, dark, low-lying cloud
- Hail
- Loud roar that can be compared to a train
If a tornado is heading your direction, it’s important to take shelter immediately in the lowest indoor area of whatever building you are in, away from windows. The best places to go are basements and cellars, but hallways or other windowless, centrally located areas are good, too.
If you are outdoors, find a place to take shelter, but if that is not possible, find a ditch and lay face down, covering the back of your head and neck with your hands.
Tornadoes and other severe storms can cause serious damage to your property. If your property is damaged by a storm in any way, SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley has you covered. We are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week so we can begin the restoration process immediately.
Areas we Inspect After Storm Damage
3/23/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley will help you with the whole restoration process after a storm. Call us today
You never know when you might suffer property damage due to bad rain, storm damage, wind or debris. In the wake of severe weather, you’ll want to contact SERVPRO to inspect, document and restore any damages to your business for you.
There is a lot you can do to mitigate storm damage, but it’s never completely preventable. Storms can be extremely costly to businesses.
In fact, experts predict that storm and flood damage could cost businesses over $13 billion in 2022.
It’s not always easy for the untrained eye to spot damage after a storm, and damage that goes unnoticed can grow and become even more costly and destructive. When you call SERVPRO to inspect the damage, here are just a few of the main areas we would look for when inspecting your property:
The Roof
Roof damage is one of the most often-occurring kinds of storm-related property damage. We will inspect the roof for loose, curled, missing or cracked shingles.
Additionally, dark patches on asphalt shingles may indicate water damage. Dents or weakened areas on the shingles are indicators of hail storm damage.
We will check for water damage indoors that has sneaked through a damaged roof. Water stains or leaks running down the wall, through a skylight or pooling in the center of the ceiling are further indications that the roof has a leak.
However, not all indications of water damage are obvious. The wisest course of action is to hire an expert to evaluate your house and search for indicators of a leaking roof.
The Exterior
Following a severe storm, you’re likely to find debris scattered around the exterior of your property. These pieces of debris may strike your property, cars or other structures, such as barns or machinery.
We will inspect the whole exterior of your property for loose or broken siding, doors, windows and gutters, among other things. Oftentimes, the exterior can be a significant source of unwanted water leakage that can cause interior water damage and flooding during a storm.
Dents or bends in gutters are often the result of hail, wind and/or debris damage. It is critical to employ an expert to evaluate, record and repair any possible damages precisely and safely.
Windows and Doors
Windows may potentially sustain damage during a severe storm, especially one with heavy winds. Our technicians will inspect the glass for broken panes, shattered glass, chips, scratches and fractures. Additionally, we will search for indicators of damaged seals that allow water to enter through windows and doors.
SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley will help you with the whole restoration process after a disaster, from damage assessment through restoration and rebuilding. Do not hesitate to contact our professionals to get your storm damage emergency repaired immediately and properly.
Can Lightning Cause Serious Property Damage
3/14/2022 (Permalink)
Lightning can cause serious property damage. If you need help repairing your home after lightning damage, contact SERVPRO today.
Though most rain fronts that pass through our area are no major event, severe weather is something that is entirely different. Severe weather can strike nearly any time of year if conditions are right, and with it, bring heavy rains, high winds, lightning strikes, hail and more—all of which can be rather dangerous.
Many of us are cognizant of the injuries and fatalities that lightning strikes in particular can cause. Around the world, they are responsible for 2,000 deaths each year and many more injuries. However, did you know that lightning can cause serious property damage, too? Below, we will be taking a look at why lightning strikes where it does and the types of damage to be aware of.
Why Does Lightning Strike Where it Does?
The majority of lightning strikes that occur during any given thunderstorm will be from one cloud to another as the electrical charge is transferred from area to area in a storm. However, with all this electricity in the air, lightning can also begin to target the ground, as objects such as buildings, trees and bushes send up sparks to meet it. While it is true that taller objects are more likely to be struck by lightning, it is not a guarantee—lightning will strike anywhere there is a charge, whether it be the ground, a tree or a home.
How Does Lightning Cause Damage?
When lightning strikes a building, it can cause serious property damage as a result. The main ways this can happen are:
* Damage due to fire where lightning strikes. When lightning strikes, it is incredibly hot—and therefore, this heat will be transferred to the impacted target. In many cases, this will cause immediate combustion at the site of the strike.
* Damage due to electrical fires. In addition to the threat that lightning can cause an initial fire where it strikes, it can also cause damage due to electrical fires. Because lightning carries an electric charge, it will travel through a building’s wires once it makes contact—this can cause damage to those wires and lead to an electrical fire, either immediately or later on.
* Water damage due to impact. Even if it does not start a fire, lightning will leave a hole where it strikes a home, which can lead to water damage if it is raining.
*If you have damage to your home, due to lightning or other storm-related causes, we are the team to call. We are here 24/7 to help—get in touch today.*
How Can High Winds Cause Damage During a Storm
3/8/2022 (Permalink)
If your home has been damaged due to high winds, call SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley 24 hours a day. ??
When it comes to severe weather, there are a lot of ways it can cause harm to an impacted area. More than 75% of deaths pertaining to natural hazards are a result of severe weather, and the property damages caused by storms can be far-reaching and severe. When most people consider severe weather hazards, heavy rains and lightning strikes are probably the first things that come to mind—but unfortunately, straight-line winds can also be significantly damaging to property and people.
Damaging straight-line winds are anything over 50–60 miles per hour, but gusts can reach up to 100 miles per hour if conditions are favorable. When thunderstorms are over an area, they will often cause downdrafts of wind that impact the ground below in several unfavorable ways, which we will look at below.
How Do High Winds Lead to Storm Damage?
**They can rip limbs from trees.** While trees grow to have a certain amount of flex to them in order to withstand the threat of high winds, occasionally, branches will still be ripped from the tree. This is especially true of branches that grow at an odd angle or are less than healthy, which is why trimming trees regularly is so important. When limbs are ripped from trees, they can become high-speed projectiles, crashing into any object or home that ends up in their path.
**They can topple mobile homes.** Because straight-line winds can reach up to 100 miles per hour, they can easily generate an extremely strong force—and in many cases, this can be enough to topple mobile homes or trailers. Even anchored mobile homes can be at risk if winds are strong enough, which puts the people who seek shelter in these homes at serious risk.
**They can make homes more susceptible to water damage.** High winds and water damage often go hand in hand, because winds can cause damage to homes that make them more susceptible to water damage. Projectiles carried on the wind can shatter windows, which will then let in rain. Additionally, high winds can damage roofing shingles, flashing and other exterior elements of the home designed to keep moisture out, resulting in hidden leaks that can be costly.
*If you have storm damage to your home, you can count on our team to help. Get in touch today to learn more about our restoration processes—we’re here 24/7 to help.*
The Dangers That Occur When Severe Weather Strikes
3/2/2022 (Permalink)
If your home is damaged from flash floods, lightning, or hail call SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley 24 hours a day!
More than simply being an inconvenience, severe weather can cause serious damage in a variety of ways. In addition to being dangerous enough to cause personal injury to anyone who has not sought out adequate shelter, severe weather can also cause property damage to any homes or businesses in the line of the storm.
While severe weather can often move through an area without causing much damage, any time it is a possibility, it is wise to be vigilant so you know when to seek safe shelter to protect your family. Below, we will be taking a look at the types of hazards that happen during severe weather so you can be better prepared for their occurrence.
The Types of Hazards That Occur During Severe Weather
**Flash flooding threats.** Flash flooding is a serious problem, in part because it is quite unpredictable—hence the term “flash.” Flash flooding is more common in low-lying areas, but it can happen anywhere that receives a heavy amount of rainfall in a short period of time. Rapidly rising creeks and ponds are often sources of flash flooding, but even overwhelmed storm drains can become backed-up and impact an area.
**Fire hazards from lightning strikes.** Lightning strikes can occur any time there is a thunderstorm, and they are responsible for around 2,000 deaths per year throughout the world. In addition to being dangerous for anyone caught outside, lightning strikes can also introduce serious fire risks when they strike homes. Lightning can start a fire when it hits a home, due to the intense amount of heat it transfers, but it can also cause electrical fires as it travels through (and damages) a home’s wires on its way to seeking grounding.
**Damage due to high winds and hail.** Severe weather is often accompanied by high, straight-line winds up to 100 miles per hour—which as you can imagine, can cause serious damage. High winds can break off tree branches and turn them into projectiles, which can shatter windows, damage roofs and make homes susceptible to water damage as a result of being vulnerable to heavy rains.
*If severe weather strikes your home, you can depend on us to help. We have a team of storm restoration experts on hand 24/7—contact us today to learn more.*
The Most Common Roof Problems You’re Likely to Encounter
2/2/2022 (Permalink)
Roof care is home care. If you find any signs of damage to your property, call SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth, & Fort Valley.
One of the sneakiest water damage sources in your home is actually on your home. Your roof regularly takes a beating from weather, sun, wind, rain and more, and it does a great job overall. If we were talking percentages, we’d be looking at Hank-Aaron-meets-Ted-Williams-type numbers.
But roofs are also one of the last places we tend to check for leaks, and thusly, one of the last places we catch leaks before they become a problem.
Make this your year to change all that. Keeping an eye on these problem areas can keep water from sneaking into your home through cracks and gaps in the roof.
Storm damage. Wind, hail and other environmental factors can damage your roof during a storm. No matter the season, your roof takes a pounding from storms, and you should always inspect your roof visually after a major storm, at the very least. If you suspect anything negative may have occurred, play it safe and let a pro examine it.
Falling branches and tree damage. Overhanging branches can crack and fall, but they can also rub away the top layer of your shingles over time as they sway with the wind. Trimming trees and being mindful of their proximity to your roof can help you avoid bad shingles and subsequent leaks.
Flashing. Your roof likely already has holes in it, but they’re the kind you have to have. Chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and even HVAC systems all come through your roof for ventilation. If the flashing is poorly installed, or if it simply wears down over time, it can cause seams in your roof and pull shingles and tiles off their proper alignment. Flashing may also need to be resealed from time to time.
Mold. Those dark streaks and patches on your roof are easy to ignore, but they’re really patches of mold—and that’s never good. There are many reasons to get rid of mold whenever and wherever you see it, but in the case of your roof, that mold can eventually eat away at your roofing material, which can let water in.
Gutters. While technically roof-adjacent, this one certainly needs attention as well. Keeping your gutters free of debris and buildup can stop water from damming up and flowing into your house by getting under your shingles.
Time. The truth is, your roof has a life expectancy, and even within that window it’s likely to develop needs that you can’t see from the ground or as an amateur. An annual roof checkup is recommended in order to keep your roof performing at its peak. A professional can identify problems that are, and some that have not yet come to pass.
Roof care is home care, and leak prevention is the name of the game. If water damage becomes an unexpected part of your home ownership experience, contact SERVPRO to get things cleaned up and restored.
Tornado Safety and Preparations | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
12/20/2021 (Permalink)
Prepare, Prevent, Protect
When you hear the word “tornado,” does the Wizard of Oz come to mind? The movie offered a representation of how intense and destructive tornadoes can be. They don’t have a specific season—and they often come without warning.
We recently saw a slew of tornado damage ravage the South, which is even more evidence that knowing what to do in a storm is important. Take some time to review the basics about tornado safety so that your family knows what to do if a watch or warning is issued.
Start with the three components of any safety strategy:
The 3 P’s—Prepare, Prevent, Protect
**Prepare.** Whether we’re preparing for an event or simply dinner, the more we prepare, the better we feel. The same can be said about preparing for a natural disaster. Anytime a disaster like a tornado strikes, chaos will ensue. Knowing your next steps can help you stay at least a little calmer when faced with an emergency. You can also take some steps to prepare your house and family, such as creating a [safety kit](https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/21-tips-to-prepare-your-home-for-a-natural-disaster/) and determining a meeting place in case your family is separated.
**Prevent.** While a natural disaster isn’t fully preventable, you can do your part in *preventing* the worst from happening to your home. You can often save yourself a good bit of time and money by taking simple actions, like scanning the roof to check for broken or missing shingles or ensuring your gutters are free of debris. If high winds or a tornado are possible, tie down outdoor décor and furniture, or move them indoors. This can help protect your home—and your family—from flying debris.
**Protect.** If a storm is imminent, this is the last stage of your safety protocol. You need to know the actions to take to protect your most valued possession—your family. Read up on the steps you need to take when a tornado watch is issued, and know exactly what to do when a watch progresses to a warning. Specifically, you need to know where you and your family will hunker down to stay clear of potential flying debris and safest in case the home’s structure were to collapse. If you live in a mobile home, have definitive plans about what actions you will take to get to a safe place.
If you have damage to your home or business, we are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you.
A Winter Weather Checklist for Your Southern Home | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
11/19/2021 (Permalink)
If winter weather should bring damage to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley for fast, restorative solutions.
Frosty the Snowman” won’t be found here. It might get cold in our area, but dealing with blizzards into the norm.
We definitely experience colder weather in the winter months and a stray chance here and there for some wintry precipitation, but it’s the exception, not the norm.
Still, though, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your family and house stay safe and secure as the seasons change. Start with these steps:
Service your HVAC. Even though we don’t experience blizzards, it can still get pretty cold. If it isn’t already turned on, odds are your heater will be engaged sometime soon. Have your HVAC unit or other heating implement checked to ensure it is running efficiently—and that it doesn’t present a fire hazard.
Make time for roof, gutter and chimney maintenance. The roof takes a beating from weather conditions throughout the year. Have it inspected as the weather begins to cool, looking specifically for loose shingles and damaged flashing. The gutters should also be cleaned out to make sure they can handle an influx of water from rain or the occasional bit of melting snow. If you use a fireplace, have the chimney inspected, too.
Insulate and seal. Keep your home dry and warm by insulating your attic and ensuring that your windows have a good seal on them. This can help prevent leaks, which in time will cause mold damage.
Maintain your vehicle. While we don’t usually have to worry with snowy roads, you do have to concern yourself with wet roads. That’s why you need to ensure that your vehicle is in good working condition during the winter. Take the car in for a maintenance check on the tires, the battery, and the windshield wipers, specifically.
If winter weather or unexpected flooding causes water to damage your home, we’re always here to help. Contact SERVPRO to see how quick and easy it is to let the pros handle your cleanup and recovery.
The Risk of Summertime Storms | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
8/18/2021 (Permalink)
If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley is on the line, ready to make things right.
Summer months are in full effect, and while we love those long summer nights full of outside play with family, it’s important to remember that summer is time for rain as well.
In fact, it may seem that summer months are more rainy. That’s totally true. In most parts of the country, there are atmospheric conditions in the summer that create moisture and warm air, which helps create thunderstorms.
In our area, from May to August, there’s a 32% greater chance of rain.
Stay Smart
Even though wetter weather is common during the summer months, that doesn’t mean you can treat it lightly! You still need to stay on top of things by being prepared and making sure you are receiving storm alerts.
It’s important to keep up with weather updates, and if you have an NOAA Weather radio, you can still receive alerts even if there is no power.
Flooding is always a possibility and it’s rarely predictable, but if it seems likely, you need to plan to stay off the road. If you have extreme weather, there’s also a possibility of high winds or damaging hail.
Dozens of people die every year because of storm-related accidents. It’s imperative that you stay aware and prepared, because the weather is always unpredictable.
Ways to Stay Safe
If lightning is visible, then it’s best to get indoors. Even if you don’t see lightning, as long as there is thunder, lightning is around, too.
When you are indoors, it’s best to stay away from windows and to avoid bathing or showering.
When storms get out of hand, make sure that you have an emergency kit prepared and in safe reach. Know your evacuation route so that you don’t have to figure it out at the last minute.
Flooding can happen and typically before there’s much we can do about it. Never attempt to drive through flood waters because they can easily sweep your car away. It’s also not a great idea to walk through flood waters because you never know what is in it.
There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.
North American Winter Storm 2021
7/15/2021 (Permalink)
The year 2021 started out with a bang! Winter Storm Uri was an unforgettable and unimaginable event that impacted over 170 million Americans. Winter Storm Uri was an ice storm that came over from the Pacific Northwest and covered most of the southern United States and even dipped as far as Northern Mexico, from February 13, 2021 through February 17, 2021. However, the after affects of what was left behind lasted through the end of April 2021.
Temperatures plummeted to an all-time low of -20F in parts of the Arkansas and over 2 feet of snow in most places across the country. As a result of the powerful winter ice storm, power grids were unable to keep up and as a result, failed across the entire state of Texas. Over 4.2 million people across the state of Texas were left without power. People were not able to heat their homes nor were they able to heat water. Water was not available across most of the affected areas because power companies and water treatment plants had water line breaks. Busted pipes caused significant damage to homes and businesses across the country.
SERVPRO was contacted with over 41,000 leads and dispatched over 1250 crews from across the country to help assist residents of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. This event of this magnitude had not ever been seen in SERVPRO history! This was by far, the largest storm event in the history of SERVPRO! When SERVPRO arrived they quickly got to work! Crews went into homes and businesses and got any standing water up and placed our specialized drying equipment in to speed up the drying process. By getting there quickly, saved insurance companies thousands of dollars!
Ice Storm Preparedness
By being proactive, you can protect yourself, family, friends, neighbors and your employees.
- Stay weather-ready. Winter storm watches and warnings are given out in advance to give time to prepare.
- Protect your family, pets and animals. Provide a safe place so that everyone is protected from wind, snow, ice and rain.
- Learn how to protect pipes from freezing
- Make sure your home or business is will insulated that include, attics, crawlspaces and window seals.
- If you have a wood burning stove or fire place, keep an extra supply of firewood
- Keep supply of warming blankets, water resistant clothing, batteries, flashlights, nonperishables and weather radio for updates
- In case of an evacuation or emergency, keep vehicles full of fuel, tires inspected in good condition, and fluids are checked and in working order.
- Winter equipment such as shovels, blowers and kitty litter to make driveways or walk ways much easier to walk on.
Although this was by far, the largest storm event in SERVPRO’S history, our crews are ready and available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Should your home or business suffer from any storm event such as ice, snow, tornado, flood or hurricane, contact the pro’s at SERVPRO! We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
For more information on how to protect your loved ones, visit the American Red Cross, ready.gov and NOAA Weather Radio
The Costs of Severe Weather Are Steadily Rising | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
7/7/2021 (Permalink)
When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley to start the restoration process.
So much can be said for the year of 2020, but in terms of the weather, we can safely say, it was a record-setting year. Of all the years in history for which we have data, 2020 was the most financially destructive.
For the year 2020, we saw 22 official weather disasters (which are defined as events that cause at least a billion dollars in damages), along many other damaging storms that weren’t counted in that total. There were so many named hurricanes and tropical storms that the NWS had to refer to the Greek alphabet just to name them all.
How Costly Can Severe Storms Be?
We all know and have seen how disastrous hurricanes can be for families and businesses, and sadly we are starting to see other types of severe weather have the same effect. In fact, the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Out of the official 22 weather disasters, 14 of these were severe thunderstorms, some of which brought along tornadoes.
Just how quickly can they turn? In eastern Nebraska in August 2020, what seemed to be a typical line of thunderstorms exploded into something called a derecho (think of something like a tornado, but with straight-line winds instead of swirling ones, combined with a heavy thunderstorm), which destroyed more than 10 million acres of corn fields, almost half the state’s corn crop. That’s over 11% of the entire country’s corn fields.
Here in Georgia, we see more than our fair share of thunderstorms, most of which bring really strong winds and hail! In 2020 alone, we saw 12 severe thunderstorms and the effects of one tropical storm.
Costs Are Steadily Rising
Statistics are showing that the steady climb of storms is becoming normal for us. 2020 was the 10th consecutive year with at least eight billion-dollar disasters.
During 2018 and 2019, there was a combined total of $136 billion in damages, and 2017 saw damage of over $300 billion, the highest total on record.
When you own a home or business, it’s important that you take whatever precautions are possible to minimize any damage to your property.
While precautions don’t totally prevent damage, knowing your risk can help! If you still manage to get a stroke of bad luck, it’s important to know you have a friend in the restoration industry whose goal it is to recover your valued items and restore your property “Like it never even happened.”
When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.
What Makes It a Severe Thunderstorm? | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
5/7/2021 (Permalink)
Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley if you experience any damage.
Around this time of year, we start to see more thunderstorm activity. While many of these storms may pass through without much damage, other, more serious storms can be catastrophic.
The nature of these severe thunderstorms means that they bring lots of rain, high winds, lightning, hail and flooding. But what makes these storms move from being a “thunderstorm” to a “severe thunderstorm”?
Let’s look below at some of the categorical differences between these types of storms.
A thunderstorm, by definition, is a storm that has both thunder and lightning. These kinds of storms can be dangerous even without additional threats.
But here are the key distinctions for a severe thunderstorm and the types of hazards they can create for your family.
3 Key Elements of What Makes a Thunderstorm Severe
Lightning strikes. Lightning is known to cause damage to houses by starting house fires and felling trees that can do significant damage to permanent structures and vehicles. But did you know that it is reported that [lightning causes around 300 injuries every year](https://www.treehugger.com/how-dangerous-are-thunderstorms-4863120)
High winds and hail. A severe thunderstorm is defined as a storm that has straight-line winds of at least 58 miles per hour and has hail that is at least one inch in diameter, or larger. The combination of of these two can do some serious damage to unsheltered cars, pets or livestock that are not adequately protected and roofs of homes. Hail is already capable of causing damage due to the speed at which it falls (up to 72 miles per hour), but add the high winds and it’s a recipe for damage.
Flash flooding. Flooding is possible for even those outside of a designated flood plain because they can be caused by drains that are not working properly, small roadside ditches that become filled with water and many other threats that can make flooded roadways become life-threatening situations quickly. In as little as 12 inches of water, it is possible for a car to be taken away with the tide.
Thunderstorms are part of the weather patterns for Georgia, so if a storm causes damage to your home or business, we are prepared to help at any time. Contact us to find out how we can get your property back to pre-storm condition.
Simple Projects to Stop Home Rainwater Damage | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you need help dealing with any damage caused by water, contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley today.
You know that flash flooding, strong thunderstorms or interior accidents (like a burst pipe or malfunctioning washing machine) can produce enough water to damage your home.
These can happen frequently in homes, so most of us are prepared to deal with these types of problems. Or we at least have some idea about the things we can do to protect our homes from them.
Here’s another item to add to your list: heavy rains.
Rain can create a real problem for homeowners, especially if you aren’t doing regular home maintenance. Over time, that can lead to progressively more serious levels of water damage.
A Common Homeowner Headache
How likely is it that you’ll have to deal with home water damage this year? Our answer is simple: It’s more likely than you imagine.
It all comes down to doing the math. About one in every 50 Americans will need water damage restoration in 2021. Friends, family members and co-workers may be filing claims this year, too.
We hope you don’t have to file a claim, but we’re here to help you if you do!
Stop Rainwater Damage
Use these basic guidelines to help ensure your home is safer from long-term water damage due to rain:
Don’t overlook the value of native plants. If you do a little homework, the flowers and shrubs you use to help you landscape your home and add curb appeal can also become an added layer of protection. You may want to research native plants in our area.
Look for ways to make your roof safer. Experts estimate that almost 95% of damage is caused by water finding its way through gaps. Sealing your roof can help by keeping water out of gaps between your shingles.
Consider the way your yard drains. Knowing how your yard drains is key to protecting your home. If the water in your yard drains toward your home, then you may want to connect with a landscaping expert. They can help you find ways to protect your yard.
If you need help dealing with damage caused by water, fire or any other issue, we’re here to help you restore your home. We have crews who are available 24⁄7 in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about us and how we can help you restore your home to its original state.
Tips to Help You Weather Spring Thunderstorms | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley
3/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you experience any property damage from spring storms, contact SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley @ 478-956-1214!
Are you ready for spring’s warmer weather? If so, you definitely aren’t alone here in Thomaston.
Many people spend the days before the weather starts warming up trying to decide how they want to spend the Saturday and Sunday afternoons. DIY projects are a popular option.
While you’re considering new paint colors and planning your landscaping, think about adding a few of these projects to your list. They can help protect you from the dangers of thunderstorms.
These steps will help you be sure your home is as ready as it can be for the hazards of spring storms.
Preparing Your Home for a New Season
Why not add these items to your to-do list for the upcoming warmer season?
Check your gutters for debris. Clean gutters are vital. They allow water to move the right way around your house. If your gutters are clogged, they can cause water damage.
If you have a sump pump, check it sooner rather than later. If your home needs one of these to keep water out of your basement, then it’s a good idea to be sure it’s working before you need it.
Check your home for other common storm damage hazards. Check for overhanging tree limbs, unsecured grills, and furniture or gazebos. Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof or garage and secure anything you can.
Inspect your roof for issues. You want to be sure your roof is in good shape if a storm starts hitting. Check for things like missing shingles and signs of leaks. Repair them to keep your home safer.
If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available 24⁄7 in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.
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