Emergency Response Planning for Storms

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

When a storm ravages your premises, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

As the saying goes, "Before any storm, preparation is key," this holds particularly true for the tempests of nature. At SERVPRO®, we believe in proactive measures for surviving tumultuous weather—bulletproofing your safety with our guide to emergency response planning for storms.

Understanding the Importance of Emergency Planning

An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is a safety net, a blueprint that outlines how your home or business will respond in the face of an unruly storm. Fast, effective responses can significantly reduce injuries, damages, and recovery time.

Steps to Prepare an Emergency Response Plan for Storms

1. Risk Assessment

Evaluate your property's vulnerability to different types of storms—hurricanes, tornadoes, floods. Consider factors like location, structural integrity, and landscape.

2. Establish Communication Channels

Create a system to share storm warnings and updates using multiple communication methods to ensure everyone is informed.

3. Outline Evacuation Procedures

Plan evacuation routes and safe spaces in your home. For multi-story buildings, allocate a safe space on each floor.

4. Assemble an Emergency Kit

This should include essentials like flashlights, first aid equipment, non-perishable food, water, batteries, and important documents.

5. Regularly Update and Practice the Plan

Make your plan a living document. Regularly review, update, and practice the plan to ensure everyone is familiar with the procedures.

6. Insurance Back-Up

Review your insurance coverage to understand what is covered and what isn't, before a storm strikes. Document your property and belongings as a pre-emptive measure.

7. Identify a Professional Restoration Service

Research and identify a professional storm damage cleanup and restoration service like SERVPRO of Northwest Wichita. Quick professional help can mitigate damage and hasten recovery.

SERVPRO®: Your Partner in Storm Damage Restoration

When a storm ravages your premises, the aftermath can be overwhelming. But remember, you're not alone. SERVPRO of Northwest Wichita is always ready to offer expert storm damage restoration services. We will help recover and restore your storm-stricken property swiftly and efficiently, letting you return to normalcy sooner.

Emergency preparedness can seem daunting, but a little planning goes a long way in protecting what matters most in the face of a storm. As you weather life's storms, our SERVPRO® team is just a call away, ensuring it's "Like it never even happened."

Navigating Flash Floods in Wichita, KS

9/12/2023 (Permalink)

Wichita, KS, with its diverse weather patterns, is not immune to the threat of flash floods. These sudden and intense floods can wreak havoc on properties, causing extensive damage and disruptions. To ensure the safety of your home and property, it's crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of flash floods and implement protective measures. In this blog, we'll delve into the dynamics of flash floods and offer practical insights for safeguarding your property against their potential impact.

The Nature of Flash Floods in Wichita

Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the capacity of drainage systems, causing rapid and intense flooding. In Wichita, the risk of flash floods is heightened due to its flat terrain and frequent thunderstorms. These floods can occur with little warning, making preparedness a necessity for homeowners and property owners.

Recognize High-Risk Areas

Identify the flood-prone areas on your property. Low-lying regions, areas near creeks, and places with poor drainage are particularly vulnerable. Understanding these high-risk zones helps you plan and implement protective measures effectively.

Maintain and Clear Drainage Systems

Regularly clean and maintain gutters, downspouts, and storm drains. Clear debris that could obstruct water flow and prevent excess water from pooling around your property. Well-maintained drainage systems are crucial for diverting water away from your home's foundation.

Elevate Electrical Systems and Utilities

Elevate electrical panels, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and other utilities above potential flood levels. This prevents damage to essential systems and minimizes the risk of electrical hazards during a flood.

Opt for Flood-Resistant Building Materials

When building or renovating, consider using flood-resistant materials for flooring, walls, and foundations. These materials are designed to withstand water exposure and minimize damage. Elevating the living spaces above the potential flood level is also a viable option.

Create Proper Grading

Proper grading of your property involves shaping the land to direct water away from your home. The land should slope downward and away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation. Consult with landscaping professionals for effective grading solutions.

Install Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are invaluable during flash floods. Install a sump pump with a battery backup in your basement or crawl space to swiftly remove excess water and prevent flooding. Regularly test the pump to ensure it's functioning correctly.

Secure Valuables and Important Documents

Elevate valuable items and important documents to higher shelves or storage areas. Consider using waterproof containers to protect items from water damage during a flash flood.

Understanding the dynamics of flash floods and their impact on properties in Wichita, KS, is pivotal for safeguarding your home and loved ones. By recognizing high-risk areas, maintaining drainage systems, elevating utilities, using flood-resistant materials, creating proper grading, installing sump pumps, and securing valuables, you can significantly minimize the potential damage caused by flash floods. Taking proactive measures ensures that your property remains resilient in the face of unexpected weather challenges.

Storm Preparedness: A Guide to Inspecting Your Building's Exterior

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

When it comes to storm preparedness, inspecting and assessing your building's exterior is a critical step in ensuring its resilience against severe weather conditions. By identifying vulnerabilities and addressing potential issues before a storm strikes, you can minimize damage and better protect your property and its occupants. In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on inspecting your building's exterior to enhance its storm readiness.

Roof Inspection

Inspect the roof for any loose, cracked, or missing shingles. Replace or repair them promptly to prevent leaks and water damage during heavy rainfall. Ensure that flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is intact and properly sealed. Repair or replace damaged flashing and reapply sealants as needed to prevent water infiltration.

Gutters and Downspouts

Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow during heavy rains. Clogged gutters can lead to overflowing water, causing damage to the building's foundation and exterior walls. Inspect gutters and downspouts for loose or damaged sections. Reinforce connections and repair any leaks or cracks to prevent water from seeping into the building.

Windows and Doors

Check for Proper Sealing: Inspect windows and doors for gaps or cracks that may allow water or wind to enter. Caulk or weatherstrip as necessary to maintain a tight seal and improve energy efficiency. Strengthen windows and doors in areas prone to strong winds or flying debris by installing impact-resistant glass or storm shutters.

Siding and Exterior Walls

Look for signs of damage. Inspect siding and exterior walls for cracks, holes, or loose panels. Repair or replace damaged sections to maintain the building's structural integrity and prevent water penetration.

Evaluate Sturdiness

Assess the stability of any outdoor structures, such as fences, awnings, or sheds. Reinforce or secure them properly to prevent damage from high winds.

Trees and Landscaping

Prune tree branches that are close to the building, ensuring a safe distance to prevent potential damage during storms. Remove Dead or Weak Trees. Identify and remove any dead or weakened trees that could pose a risk to the building or nearby structures during strong winds.

Exterior Utilities

Inspect and Secure HVAC Units, ensure that HVAC units, rooftop equipment, or other exterior utilities are securely fastened and protected against high winds. 

Document and Maintain. Check the stability of exterior light fixtures, signage, antennas, or satellite dishes. Reinforce their attachments to prevent damage or dislodging. Document the building's exterior, take photographs or videos of the building's exterior, focusing on vulnerable areas and potential risks. This documentation can be helpful for insurance claims and assessing storm-related damages.

Regular Maintenance

Establish a routine maintenance schedule for inspecting the building's exterior, and address any issues promptly. Regular upkeep can prevent minor problems from escalating during a storm.

Inspecting your building's exterior is a vital component of storm preparedness. By conducting a thorough inspection, identifying vulnerabilities, and addressing potential issues, you can enhance the resilience of your property against severe weather conditions. Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and reinforcing critical areas will help safeguard your building and its occupants during storms. Remember, a proactive approach to inspecting and maintaining the exterior is key to mitigating damage and ensuring the safety of your property.

Protect Your Building's Roof From Hail Damage

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Smart Preventative Measure To Take To Protect Your Property

Hail can strike at any time of year in Maize, KS, so it's smart to stay prepared all year long. Your building can suffer greatly from roof damage caused by hail and strong winds. Listed below are some smart preventive measures you can take to protect your property.

1. Inspect Your Roof
It’s a good idea to set up a routine inspection program to ensure that your roof remains in good condition. Check periodically for worn or missing shingles and other roofing textiles. Replace any damaged materials as soon as possible.
Inspect the drainage system on the roof as well. Clogs from dirt and leaves can cause water to build up. If water pools on the roof, it can create roof damage and leaking. Anytime you see discoloration on the ceiling, this is a sign that a leak is forming in the roofing materials. It’s critical to contact a water damage expert right away if you suspect a roof leak.
Check the skylights, air conditioning units and other equipment on the roof to make sure there are no cracks or leaks and to ensure the equipment is properly secured.
In addition to routine maintenance inspections, always check for hail damage immediately after a storm.

2. Select Equipment That Can Withstand Hail
HVAC equipment can be purchased to withstand high winds and hail. If you can’t make that investment right away, look for hail guard covers and shields to protect equipment on the roof. Skylights and solar panels can also be purchased that have been tested to withstand severe hailstorms.

3. Trim Trees Near the Building
During strong winds, loose branches can break and cause damage to your building. Keep trees pruned all year long to reduce this risk.
While it is impossible to completely remove the threat of roof damage during heavy winds and hail, these tips can significantly reduce the risks to your property.

What Storm Recovery Services Does FEMA Provide?

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

What Services Does FEMA Offer in the Event of a Natural Disaster?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a range of storm recovery in areas that have recently experienced severe storms or natural disasters. Some FEMA programs require the declaration of a federal disaster area in Valley Center, KS. Learn more about the resources available through this agency.

Inspectors Do Damage Assessment

Agency adjusters and inspectors can determine the extent of damage caused by flooding, adverse weather conditions, or natural disasters. These experts can offer several services:

• Assistance with documenting damage
• Guidance with filing insurance claims
• Professional opinions on mitigation

Depending on the type of disaster and your insurance provider, federal adjusters and inspectors may respond more quickly than other representatives. If you need a fast assessment, this agency may be able to help.

Transitional and Temporary Housing Assistance

FEMA has several programs to provide shelter if your home is uninhabitable. There are a few key differences between the following types of assistance:

• Transitional Sheltering Assistance lowers the price of a hotel stay immediately after a disaster
• Temporary Housing Assistance may be available for one to three months or longer
• Extensions of housing assistance may be available up to 18 months depending on qualification

You will need to prove that you have spent any funding received in authorized ways to extend housing assistance. Any of these options can provide a place to stay while residential flood damage is being mitigated and restored.

Programs for Individuals and Households

If a federal declaration is issued for an area, several financial assistance options may be available. The Individuals and Households program includes a one-time Repair and Replacement Assistance payment. This payment is intended to supplement insurance coverage. If insurance covers a loss, this program cannot duplicate the benefit.

FEMA offers many services to homeowners across the country. You may have access to more services if a federal disaster is declared for the location of your home in Valley Center, KS.

Preparing Your Business for Severe Storms

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Getting Ready for Severe Storms in Your Business

A hurricane, a tropical storm or even heavy rain can critically damage your Maize, KS, business if you do not prioritize disaster preparedness. Creating a plan to fortify your establishment against strong weather can mitigate the impact, especially when it comes to unexpected severe weather. Take these important steps to craft an effective storm plan.

Create a Planning Team

Even with your leadership position, you cannot prepare your business alone. Create a task force team that can handle important elements such as:

• Employee and client safety
  
• Data recovery
  
• Property protection
  
• Communication system
  
  

Depending on the team size and the complexity of these areas, you can either delegate these sections to one team or split them up between smaller groups that meet later. Build a team where members vary in experience, work shifts and locations, as they may have different perspectives on how a storm impacts their day.

Take Advantage of Technology

Today's technology is particularly helpful for disaster preparedness. For instance, wireless communication makes it faster and easier to send emergency messages to team members and clients about any sudden situation via phone call, email, text or social media. Your data is also crucial to your business, so use advancements like the cloud system to move it to an offsite facility. This move ensures that important information is safe from any physical storm damage.

Practice for the Situation

A detailed and careful plan never matters without a successful execution, and business preparedness is not an exception to this. Once you have created plans for safety, evacuation and property protection, it is time to practice them to ensure everything runs smoothly during an unexpected event. Assign roles to employees, such as leading the evacuation of certain areas to ensure an orderly procedure. You can both schedule drills and run some surprise ones to test the organization's readiness.

Disaster preparedness allows you to protect both your employees and your building from unexpected storms. Enact these safety measures now and stay in contact with helpful organizations like the insurance company and storm damage remediation to handle the aftermath effectively.

3 Benefits of a Portable Generator

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Three Advantages of a Portable Generator

Does your building in Colwich, KS, commonly suffer from storm damages and power outages? A storm damage cleanup professional is able to help with storm damage, and a portable generator is a great solution to a power outage. There are many benefits to such a device.

1. It's Portable

It's all in the name. We love our portable devices. We all know how much cell phones have revolutionized our life. While a generator might not be as great as a cell phone, it still has many advantages over a traditional stationary one. Being able to move from site to site is a great benefit. It saves you from having to buy a generator for every location, and it's great if you have multiple buildings in different areas that often suffer from a power outage.

2. Prevents Downtime

Whether you're powering computers or power tools, no one likes downtime. Interrupting workflow is one of the most disruptive things for commercial processes and workers. We all know what it's like to lose a bunch of data after a short power dip. Though a mobile generator won't automatically turn on without some extra configuring, it's still better than waiting for a power company to fix the issue, especially in severe weather. The nature of its portability also allows quick setup.

3. Safety Features

Because of their more compact size and portable nature, these types of generators come in-built with extra safety features. A circuit breaker is a standard-issue feature; it prevents power overloads and potentially harmful levels of current. Alongside this, there are several mechanisms working in tandem that help prevent overloads in the first place. A low-oil shutoff is also a standard feature, especially in portable generators. Though it may sound like a bad idea for your generator to automatically shut off, it helps prevent dangerous damages to the mechanisms inside due to a lack of lubrication.
A power outage is a worry of the past with a portable generator.

How To Begin Cleanup Before the Adjuster Arrives

1/15/2022 (Permalink)

Drying up a home in Winfield, KS that had been damaged by flood.

How to Start Cleaning Before the Adjuster Shows Up

Recovering from a flood in Winfield, KS can be stressful, emotionally draining and physically demanding. Having flood insurance coverage can help to alleviate some of those burdens. However, waiting to start clean up until after the insurance adjuster assesses your home could lead to more serious problems.

Why Start Quickly

Here are a few reasons it is important to act fast:

• Stagnant water houses a variety of harmful bacteria.
  
• Mold damage begins to develop within the first 24 hours after flooding.
  
• Delayed cleanup could increase the risk of structural damage to your home.
  
  

What To Do

If you experience damage following a storm, there are a number of actions you should take:

• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Explain the extent of the damage and ask if you can start work before an adjuster arrives.

• Document everything, including conversations with your insurance company. In this case, technology is your friend. Take pictures or videotape the extent of the damage before you remove anything from your home, including water. This will ensure that you get the best reimbursement from your flood insurance provider.

• Remove standing water. This can be done by purchasing a sump pump or dry vac from your local hardware store or by hiring a professional restoration specialist to do the work for you. If you decide to do the work on your own, be sure to wear appropriate protective clothing such as boots and gloves because you will be working with contaminated water.

• Remove saturated objects such as carpets, carpet padding, furniture and clothing. Since these items are made from porous materials, bacteria can remain even after the item is completely dry.

When a flood hits your home, recovering from it can be intimidating. Taking the proper steps early can help prevent more serious flood damage to your home. Check with flood insurance providers in Winfield, KS, to find out what coverage is available to you.