How to Protect Your Home from Spring Storms in New Jersey

Spring weather, especially in New Jersey, is unpredictable and can cause property damage and weather-related deaths and injury. Flooding, heavy storms, and tornadoes are all common natural disasters that occur in the spring, so it is important to be prepared.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences spring storms, you may be more familiar with this kind of preparation than people who live in a region where these disasters are uncommon. However, if you live in a “safe” area, that doesn’t mean you should ignore safety precautions because severe weather can happen any time. If you and your community are unprepared, you increase your risk of injury and death.

It is important and smart to plan ahead, even if you think weather-related disasters won’t happen to you.

Checking the condition of the exterior in your property is an important measure

Prepare for the Worst

The best time to prepare for a disaster is before it occurs so you don’t have to panic and scramble for supplies. There are many simple, yet essential things you can do to your home to prepare for a potential disaster.

First, trim any dead or overly large branches from your trees to prevent them from falling and damaging your property during a thunderstorm. Cover electronic equipment inside your home with surge protectors and learn how to shut off gas, water, and power lines. You may be instructed to turn off these services during a disaster and you will want to be prepared during an emergency.

Check the condition of the exterior of your property and make sure it can sustain severe weather. If not, make repairs and call a professional for inspection. For additional information, perform thorough research and compile a list of the most important tasks for your home.

The above tips are helpful for storm preparation, but you may not have time if the storm or natural disaster is well on its way. To prepare for an imminent disaster, you must stay calm and secure the property quickly.

Unplug all electronic equipment to avoid possible electrocution if the house gets flooded. Close all doors and windows, and draw the blinds and drapes. This way, if any windows are broken, the glass will have a harder time getting in the house and on the floor. Bring inside any essentials and tie down outdoor furniture and grills so they can’t be blown away.

Finally, pay attention to the advice given to you by local authorities. Use your television, Internet service, or radio to listen for updates on the weather conditions and advice on how to handle the situation.

Emergency Kit

One of the most crucial safety precautions you have at your disposal is the emergency kit. The best items and supplies to include are:

• Map of your home (for emergency evacuation plan)
• 3+ days’ worth of nonperishable food and bottled water
• Flashlight
• Radio
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Blankets
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
• List of emergency contacts (numbers of family, friends, neighbors, local emergency providers)
• List of personal information (medical, property, insurance)

Keep all safety tips and precautions in mind as you and your loved ones stay at home

Stay Safe

Assuming you have an emergency kit on hand and your home is properly secured, your priority is to protect yourself and your family from harm.

Keep all safety tips and precautions in mind as you and your loved ones hunker down inside the home. The safest place to be is the basement because it is the lowest part of the home. If your property doesn’t contain a basement, go to the lowest level of the house and keep away from windows in case the glass breaks.

Your electronic equipment should be unplugged to avoid a power surge, but feel free to use your personal devices to monitor the situation and track updates from local authorities. You may be instructed to turn off the water, electricity, and gas in your home or even evacuate the area.

Water Damage Restoration

Thunderstorms and flooding are the most common natural disasters that occur in the spring, which makes storm and flood damage a real threat to your property. Afterwards, you will likely require water damage restoration, but the severity and cost of the repair depends on how well you prepared for the disaster.

We are available 24/7 for emergency water damage restoration in the Newark, NJ, area, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a water damage emergency caused by spring storms.