Common Types of Storm Damage

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County your first call.

Severe storms can raise anyone’s anxiety level

When you own a home, you have the stress of worrying about storm damage. While most homes are built to withstand weather extremes, damages are always possible when a strong storm moves in.

Each season brings its variety of threats, but rain, hail, snow, and sleet will always come with the risk of storm damage to your Dutchess home, sometimes down to the very structure.

Your level of risk will vary depending on several factors, including the type of storm coming in, the materials your home is constructed from, and even your landscaping. And sometimes, whether you receive damages simply comes down to luck.

It is not uncommon to see a wide variety of weather in New York. Still, some of our main extremes include snowstorms in the winter and severe thunderstorms in the summer. We can also see the occasional tornado.

This past July, we saw a week where several tornadoes touched down. The more we learn about common kinds of storm damage and how to protect our homes from them, the safer we can stay.

Wind

Wind damage begins when high-velocity winds pound a building with strong gusts. Hurricanes and tornadoes carry these kinds of winds, but even a mild thunderstorm can blow winds up to 100 mph.

When winds reach this strength, they can cause damage to themselves or toss other items around. To stay safe, shelter indoors in an interior room away from windows and walls. Debris can easily pierce walls or break glass when it is thrown at a high rate of speed.

You can take steps to prevent this kind of damage to your property. Clear limbs and rocks loose or overly close to your house. Tie down your outside furniture so it can’t fly around when the wind picks up. The more debris you can clean up, the less damage wind can cause.

Water

Water damage is one of the most commonly occurring types of storm damage. A storm with a heavy downpour can cause ponding of water outside your home, which can leak through window seals and doors.

When a large amount of water falls, it can begin to seep through your ground floor and cause structural damage.

Use your landscaping as your first line of defense to mitigate your risks from water damage to your property. Create slopes or consider installing an absorbent rain garden. This is a beautiful way to protect your home from the water before it can threaten your home.

You should also keep your gutters clear to allow water to flow away from your house. When the gutter gets clogged, water can pool on your roof and leak through to every level of your home.

Impact

Another common form of damage is when objects are knocked over or blown around and make an impact on another object. This kind of damage can be completely destructive, as it can often include trees falling on vehicles or homes.

To avoid this kind of damage, keep your trees trimmed and remove from your property those that are not healthy.

In 2021, weather disasters led to more than $145 billion in damages. When you take the time to protect your home, you can save yourself money and rest a little easier knowing you are safer.

If your home has been damaged by a storm, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County. We are available 24⁄7 with the industry-leading equipment and experience needed to complete your restoration faster.

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, you must know who to call! Contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County today at (845) 635-4550 to get your storm damage restoration started faster.