Summer Storm Preparedness | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summer is in full bloom, and it brings with it all the things we love about the warmest season. Many of us finally get to take our anticipated vacations, higher temperatures practically beg us to head to the pool or the coast, and the days are longer and full of sunshine—most of the time, that is.

It may sometimes seem that summer months are more prone to thunderstorms, and that would be because it’s totally true. The presence of moisture and warm air mean that atmospheric conditions are more favorable for heavy storms in summer, especially in certain parts of the country.

The beginning of summer typically greets the Portland area with less rain than the earlier months of the year, but September begins to ramp back up toward double-digit rainy days per month.

Be Storm-Alert

Thunderstorms don’t often get a lot of attention, because we see so much rain in Oregon anyway, but they should never be ignored. You should always heed storm alerts, and when thunderstorms are predicted, you should consider postponing outdoor events as a safety precaution.

Keep an eye on local weather forecasts and buy yourself an NOAA Weather radio, which can continue to keep you updated if power is lost.

If flooding is forecast, stay inside and off the road. Heavy storms can sever tree branches and toss around backyard items and trash cans, so keep your trees trimmed and move garbage cans, trampolines or patio furniture to safety.

Dozens of people die every year in storm-related situations, so exercising caution is always your best bet. Never take storms for granted.

Be Storm-Safe

Stay inside during lightning storms. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from where it’s raining, making it unsafe to resume outdoor activity until 30 minutes after you’ve heard the last clap of thunder.

It turns out your mom was correct—you shouldn’t bathe or shower during a thunderstorm, and you should stay away from windows.

In cases of flooding or extreme thunderstorms, prepare an emergency kit, and be familiar the evacuation route for your part of town. Stay on high ground and avoid touching flood waters. Flood waters can carry you or even your vehicle away, and they can also conceal roads that have been damaged or washed away, so turn around if you come to flooded roads.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.