Stay Safe During Summer Storms

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Summer storms, though sometimes brief, can still be very dangerous. Make sure you're ready for when they pop up.

When the days get longer and the sun gets hotter, pop-up summer storms are expected in Iowa. Storms like this may not seem too threatening, but it’s important to remember that any storm with thunder has the ability to develop dangerous conditions such as high winds, hail and lightning strikes.

Being aware of how to protect yourself no matter where you are when severe weather develops can help you and your family stay safer all summer long.

Know your options for shelter. Ideally, the best place to be in the event of severe weather is an interior room of your own home or office with no outward-facing windows or doors. However, if you get caught on the road in the storm, staying in your car is the second-safest thing to do. Pull the car over, turn off the engine and avoid touching anything metal inside the vehicle until the storm passes.

Practice electrical safety. If a building is struck by lightning, the electrical charge will rush to the ground as quickly as possible—often through electrical wires in the walls of the home. When this happens, a power surge can be transferred to anything that is plugged into the wall. If you have the time before a storm moves through, unplug everything in your home to prevent this from happening. As an extra measure of protection in case you forget to unplug something like a computer, plug surge protector extensions into every outlet.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. Structures made of concrete may feel like the most solid option when faced with severe weather, but when it comes to lightning, they can actually be quite dangerous. Concrete is often constructed with steel bars for reinforcement at the center, and can thus become a conductor if electricity begins to move through it. Avoid leaning against concrete walls or laying on a concrete floor if possible when a storm is moving through.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. The good news about summer storms is that they often start and end suddenly, but that can cause a false sense of security when the skies become clear. Lightning strikes can occur as far as 25 miles away from the storm clouds, so officials advise waiting at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap before heading back outside.

If your Ames, Madrid, Boone, Huxley, Story City or Nevada home or business is damaged from a storm, SERVPRO of Ames can be there quickly to help prevent more damage and begin restoring your property back to its former condition. Contact us to learn more about our storm restoration process. Call (515) 233-4454, any time night or day.