Tornado Safety and Recovery Tips for the Greenville Area

5/13/2018 (Permalink)

A tornado can form quickly under the right weather conditions. Being Proactive versus being Reactive can help keep you safe.

If you have ever been through a tornado, then you know how unsettling of an experience it can be. The sky grows dark, the wind roars, you can feel the pressure change. You run under a door frame or to a stairwell, crawl into a bathtub, anywhere to feel safe. And although it only lasts for a few moments, it feels like forever.

Week 2 of National Building Safety Month’s theme is Protecting Communities from Disasters. And in the instance of severe weather like tornadoes and microburst, being prepared is some of the best protection to safeguard our Greenville community. The following are some excellent tips provided by the International Code Council to help become tornado ready.

Getting ready for Tornado Season

We may already be well into tornado season in the Upstate, but it is never a wrong time to start to prepare.

• Make sure your family has a plan to congregate in a safe place during a storm.
• Warn your children about finding a safe place away from home.
• Store flashlights and extra batteries.
• Clean storm gutters and drains.
• Prepare your home for high winds and rain.
• Repair/replace storm shutters.
• Check your property insurance policy for appropriate coverage.

Before the storm

It can be impossible to predict when and where a tornado may form, but taking action when the weather is calling for conditions that can produce tornadoes can save precious time if watches or warnings are issued.

• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Check/replace emergency supplies and store bottled drinking water.
• Review family emergency plans.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.

During the storm

Severe weather can be intense and may call for quick thinking and action. Knowing what "NOT to do" can be just as helpful as knowing what to do.

• Stay inside in a secure place, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Listen to a crank- or battery-operated radio for storm progress reports. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE.
• Stay away from electrical equipment and piping that can conduct electricity from lightning.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
• Avoid flooded roads, and watch for washed-out bridges.

After the storm

The impact of a tornado can leave behind damage and create other dangers. Being cautious and alert can prevent further damage or injury.

• Listen for the all-clear from a community siren, or from local radio. Make sure everyone is okay; get emergency help, as needed.
• Be careful as you assess the damage in your home, watching for live wires, broken glass, nails and other debris
• Take pictures of any damage to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
• Check the exterior. Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department. The same goes for gas lines.
• Let your insurance company know of any damage. Work only with accredited companies on any repairs. If you suspect a scam, report it to authorities.

Being prepared goes a long way in keeping a community safe during and after the storm. And if you need us SERVPRO of East Greenville County can help you minimize secondary damage and restore your Greer home, business, or facility to pre-storm condition quickly.