September is National Preparedness Month

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bartow County to restore your home or business to preloss condition. We can make storm and flood damage "Like it never even happened."

This year for National Preparedness Month, join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared. “Disasters happen” and not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities. Learn how to be prepared.

Make & Practice Your Plan

Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Make sure your family is informed and practiced in your emergency plan. Be sure to sign up for alerts and warnings for your area and download other necessary apps to stay informed, such as the FEMA app.

Learn Life Saving Skills

Do you or someone in your family know CPR? Could you turn off your natural gas if necessary? Do you know how to take cover in an earthquake? Knowing these life saving skills could mean life or death in an emergency situation for you, your family and/or your neighbors.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster? Evaluate which hazards are relevant to your area and obtain the appropriate insurance for your home, business, and/or other property and become familiar with your coverage.

Save for an Emergency

Are you prepared financially in case of a disaster? Does your family have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses after a flood or fire? Check our FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for an in-depth document to help you identify and compile important documents and account information all in one spot. Just search “EFFAK” on fema.gov to view and download the free PDF.

Whether its flood, wildfire or extreme winter weather, we must ensure our families, businesses, places of worship and neighborhoods are prepared. Contact SERVPRO of Bartow County to find out how we can help make it “Like it never even happened,” if disaster strikes in your life.

Storm Safety Tips for Extreme Weather

Tornado Safety Tips from the NOAA - GET IN - GET DOWN - COVER UP - If you are outside, get inside and if you are already inside you should try to get to the middle of the structure you are taking shelter in. Get underground if possible. It is not always possible to get underground but you should try to get to the lowest floor available. Use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris. Flying and falling debris are one of the leading causes of death during storm events.

Floods can result from many different types of precipitation like rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, and overflowing dams or other water systems. Flood warnings should be taken seriously and if you are in an area that is under a flood warning you should seek shelter right away.

What is the difference between a storm or weather watch, warning, and advisories?

Storm watches, warnings, and advisories can apply to many different types of weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms, tropical storms, blizzards, freezes, high winds, fog, smog, heat waves and even wildfire conditions. All weather warnings, watches and advisories should be taken seriously and proper precautions should be taken to protect yourself when they are issued.

Storm or Weather Event Watches are issued when there is the potential for significant and/or hazardous weather events within a given time frame, but does not mean the weather event will necessarily occur. The weather event is possible and people should be prepared for the weather event.

Storm or Weather Event Warnings are issued when the conditions of hazardous weather events are presently occurring or imminent. The weather even is either underway or will soon take place, so people should seek the appropriate type of shelter and/or safety precautions. 

Storm or Weather Event Advisories are issued when specific weather conditions are met and are closely akin to weather warnings. Advisories alert means that a weather event is occurring or imminent. 

*for a more in depth description of individual types of weather warnings, watches, and advisories visit weather.gov for additional information.

Tips for Floods & Flash Flooding Events:

• Stay informed by listening to local radio and television coverage of weather events, particularly the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast. The internet and social media platforms can be a great source for receiving updates on storm events, but please make sure the source is a reliable and reputable outlet that provides up to date information.
• Seek higher ground when available and safe to do so. Low-lying areas will most always be the first areas to be affected during flooding events. As such areas of low elevation should be avoided during flood events.
• Avoid flood waters by abstaining from walking through flood waters when at all possible. People have been known to be swept off their feet in as little as six inches of water and vehicles have been known to be swept away in as little as twelve inches of water. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest point available and call 911 if possible. Driving into flood water is ill-advised and you should not ignore closed roadways by driving around barricades. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has coined the phrase “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” to encourage people to avoid flood waters.
• Electrical safety is paramount during flooding events. Water is a great conductor of electricity and a major contributor to injuries and even deaths during flooding events. Do not enter a flooded room if the electrical outlets or electrical cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises exit the structure immediately, electrical hazards could be present and could cause grave harm to you or your loved ones. 
• The NOAA strongly states, “During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television outlets. Avoid flood waters at all costs and evacuate immediately when water starts to rise. Don’t wait until it is too late!”

When it is deemed safe by local authorities to return to your home, make sure to contact a trusted quality restoration company, like SERVPRO of Bartow County to provide you with the services you need to get things under control as quickly and efficiently as possible. SERVPRO of Bartow County offers a variety of services to remove flood waters quickly and help prevent mold growth that happens due to extensive exposure. Mold can cause severe health effects that you want to avoid. Get the help you need within 48-hours to prevent these problems and other issues in your home.  

SERVPRO technicians utilize a variety of techniques, including IICRC training and EPA guidelines to help return your indoor environment to a healthy, safe one that you and your family can enjoy. Take this opportunity to talk to professional technicians about possible improvements and address any concerns you may have for future events. 

*Check our some of our previous Storm Preparedness Blogs: “Do You Have a Plan?”; “FEMA Emergency Supply List”; “It Doesn’t Cost a Lot to be Prepared”; “Common Types of Storm Damage in Bartow County”; “SERVPRO of Bartow County: Cartersville’s Premier Storm Restoration Company”; “History of Bartow County’s Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes”; “Bartow County’s Epic Flood”