How to Prepare for Summer Storms

May 28, 2015

It’s not even hurricane season yet, but the Sunshine State has already experienced drenching thunderstorms, swirling water spouts, and tornadic activity up and down the peninsula. Florida might be known as being the land of endless summer, and, the home to some 663 miles of beach, but it’s also largely in a sub-tropical climate, which means summer storms can be severe. Though we experience more tropical formations than practically anywhere else in the nation, homeowners are often unprepared for the damage thunderstorm and other tropical events might inflict. From flooding to felled trees and downed power lines, there are many reasons to get ready for summer storms. Your property is important to you and you need to take preventive measures in order to protect it from the brutal weather elements that befall the whole state through the summer months.

Ways to Prepare for Summer Storms

Storm damage can range from mild to severe, but, if you take a few precautionary steps, you’ll be able to minimize what would otherwise be serious. Of course, there’s no way to prevent all damage, but if do some preventative work, it will save you a lot of time and money.

We may not be in the midst of a thunderstorm-tornado-hurricane apocalypse, but you don’t want to be the homeowner unlucky enough to have a maple tree crash into your dining room…after a major storm. So if you think your house could be better prepared to withstand the onslaught of a summer storm, here are some things to consider – before and after the rain. —U.S. News and World Report

First and foremost ought to be your home. While you might have new windows, there are more ways water can enter and the wind can cause damage. Remember, it’s not necessarily how hard the wind blows, it’s what the wind blows around–projectiles can be made of just about anything. Here are some ways to prepare for summer storms:

Clear gutters and downspouts. These systems are designed to funnel water away from the foundation, but, easily clog, especially on properties with a number of trees. Clean out downspouts and gutters to ensure rainwater is carried away from the foundation of your home.
Check your pool pump and filtration system. You might not know it, but rainwater is harmful to a pool. It changes the chemical balance, not only because of the rainwater, but also, what it causes to stream into your pool. Runoff, fertilizer, pesticides, and more are introduced to your pool, making it unhealthy.
Inspect your roof for signs of wear. Have a licensed contractor check your roof for signs of wear. One way to tell if shingles are loose or worn is indicated by shingles that warp up from the roof. Any repairs ought to be done before the summer storms set-in.
Trim trees and cleanup landscaping. Trimming trees, pruning landscaping, and cleaning up yard waste are all good measures to keep your property neat and are a preventative measure for summer storms.
Put patio furniture away. Before a storm hits, put patio furniture in a secure place, where it can’t be blown around by the wind. Any lawn equipment and yard tools should also be stored away.

Other preventative measures are having an evacuation plan, plenty of canned and dry goods, a lot of water, and, a backup generator. While you won’t be able to power big appliances and systems, such as an oven or central air conditioner, you will have enough power to make it through outages. After the storm, phone a junk hauling service to cleanup and haul off any storm debris.