Recent Storm Damage Posts

National Hurricane Preparedness Week in 2023

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is April 30 through May 6, 2023.

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. You can learn more from the NOAA by clicking here.

Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. On average, 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

Hurricane-force winds can cause damage to homes and other buildings, ranging from moderate to catastrophic depending on both wind speed and structural integrity. Wind damage can lead to large areas with power and communications outages, as well as uproot trees and make roads impassable due to debris. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage.

While we don't see the typical hurricane damage in our area, we have experienced severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that can often be a byproduct. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall. Stay informed and stay safe.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

When Does a Thunderstorm Become Severe?

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

You hear the term thunderstorm and severe thunderstorm used often this time of year in our area, but what's the difference?

A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning.

A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.

According to the NOAA, here are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year worldwide. This means that at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress on Earth. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. Wow! About 10% of those reach severe levels.

We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration. It is the cornerstone of our business! We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows our team to get your home back to normal quickly.

NPM 2021: Week Two "Build a Kit"

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Happy Tuesday y'all! Did you enjoy the long weekend? Welcome to Week 2 of National Preparedness Month! The theme for this week is "Build a kit." Do you already have an emergency supply kit created? If not, here's your reminder that you should. Today we are sharing information you'll need to create a basic emergency supply kit. It's helpful to double check this list even if you already have a kit to ensure that you have everything you may need.

The lists we are sharing are from Ready.gov. They even have a printable version of their list, so be sure to visit their website if you'd like to have a list you can check off one-by-one.

A basic emergency supply kit should include at least...

Water and non-perishable food for several days Extra cell phone battery or charger
Battery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Can opener (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps

Consider these additional items based on you and your household's needs to also add to your emergency supply kit.

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food, water and supplies for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a portable waterproof container
Cash and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies, personal hygiene items and hand sanitizer
Mess kits, Paper cups, plates and disposable utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

If you don't have a kit already, don't wait for disaster to strike! We hope that this blog helps give you ideas on what to put in your kit or add to your current kit in order to ensure that you are prepared.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

NPM 2021: Week One "Make a Plan"

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

In our last blog, we introduced National Preparedness Month 2021. The theme for week one is "Make a plan." What does this mean? It means you should talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the Coronavirus.

Ready.gov has an entire page on their website dedicated to making a plan for your family filled with valuable content & resources. Here are the four steps to consider.

Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?
Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus.
- Get masks (for everyone over 2 years old), disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment.

Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan.

Download the PDF from Ready.gov to use (or to base your own from) by clicking here.

Step 4: Practice your plan with your entire household & family.

Practice makes perfect! Make sure each member of the household knows & understands the plan.

We hope this helped you think through your current plan or how to make a plan for yourself if you didn't already have one! Be sure to check out Ready.gov for additional resources for making a plan.

National Preparedness Month 2021

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Today is not only September 1st, but it is the very first day of National Preparedness Month 2021.

You might be asking yourself, "What is National Preparedness Month?" National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”

We are so excited to share tips with all of you. Follow along on our blog & our social media each week this month so you don't miss out.

Severe Thunderstorms in Harris County, Georgia

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

If you follow us on social media, you may have seen our post yesterday about the severe weather that was going to be coming through yesterday evening and into early this morning.

What is the definition of a severe thunderstorm? According to our friends at Weather.gov, "Severe thunderstorms are officially defined as storms that are capable of producing hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts over 58 mph. Hail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs and vehicles. Wind this strong is able to break off large branches, knock over trees or cause structural damage to trees. Some severe thunderstorms can produce hail larger than softballs or winds over 100 mph, so please pay attention to the weather so you know when severe storms are possible. Thunderstorms also produce tornadoes and dangerous lightning; heavy rain can cause flash flooding."

What can you do to prepare? Make sure to be checking your forecast regularly. Additionally, it is helpful to know how your community sends warning. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents to severe storms. Don't forget to set up notifications if that is the case! Next, you'll want to have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Get more ideas for a plan here. Stay safe y'all!

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (706) 575-1930