Can I Protect My Home from Tornado Damage?
Tornado damage can destroy a home. Thankfully there are things you can do to protect your property from these horrific events.
Tornadoes and twisters are incredible, yet dangerous, forces of nature. Their winds can reach higher than 200 miles per hour and can flatten your home and lift your car into the air without effort. If your house sits directly in a tornado’s path or Tornado Alley, unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about the damage caused. Outside of those worst-case scenarios, there are several things you can do for your home to prepare it for the high winds and strength of a superstorm.
Continue reading to learn how.
How to Protect Your Home from Tornado Damage
You nor your property need to be blown away when one of Mother Nature’s biggest threats, the tornado, makes an appearance. But preparation is essential. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your house from disaster:
MAKE A PLAN — If the threat of a tornado is a reality to you and your family, it is imperative to have a plan in place. Make sure each person in your family knows what to do when a tornado strikes. Make sure to listen to a weather radio for updates so that you can act accordingly. If a tornado has been spotted and you are in danger, make sure to find shelter in a low place, ideally underground. Avoid rooms with windows and heavy furniture.
BOARD UP WINDOWS — You may have heard that by opening your windows, you can create a window tunnel to equalize pressure and avoid broken windows. This is a myth! Open windows will only allow fast-moving debris to enter your home. Instead, shutter your windows and glass doors to avoid breakage.
CLEAR YOUR YARD — When you know a storm is coming, it’s a good idea to walk around your property and put away items that could blow away in a storm — for example, your patio furniture, grill, and lawn ornaments. Additionally, you may want to trim any tree branches that pose a potential threat to your property.
PACK SUPPLIES — After a tornado hits, you may be left without power, food, or water. Make sure each member in your family has what they need for a few days to get by. This will look different for each person; keep diapers, prescription medications, formula, cash, and whatever else you need a place you can quickly access.
REINFORCE YOUR GARAGE — Garage doors are a weak spot in your home; however, you can install a vertical bracing system making your garage door and house more likely to survive a tornado.
INSTALL A SAFE ROOM — If your property is in the center of Tornado Alley, installing a safe room or reinforcing an existing room in your home might not be a bad idea. Safe rooms can be installed above ground and are designed to stay anchored to the ground and protect its occupants during a severe storm such as a tornado.
Contact Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters
The repercussions of tornado damage can be catastrophic, and having someone on your side to help you through the insurance claim process can be necessary.
When disaster strikes, contact the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters. With decades of experience in construction and disaster restoration, our knowledgeable team of adjusters can help you quickly resolve your insurance claim and resume your normal life. The experts at Hudson Douglas represent you, not your insurance company, and can serve you if you live in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. Contact our team today to receive a free claim review.
