Recently a massive windstorm struck the inland Northwest knocking out power for 500,000 homes while doing tremendous damage ranging from lifting a few shingles off homes to hundred-year-old trees totally demolishing houses. Thinking through in advance our response to high wind alerts will help us be ready and mitigate potential damage.
A first step is to download any number of severe weather alerts to your smart phone which offer notifications. Additionally, an Emergency weather radio with backup batteries will provide immediate threat information.
Most of us are familiar with hurricane and tornado warnings, which we need to pay attention to, but the National Weather Service also has other high wind alert thresholds. For example, a high wind watch provides an advance warning of strong sustained winds being possible while a strong wind warning indicates heavy winds are already occurring. When the weather service issues a wind advisory expect that the “wind velocity” would be less than the other warnings. When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued winds in excess of 58 mph are possible.
Most will take a tornado warning very seriously and find immediate shelter realizing the threat lives. Window alerts may be sloughed off or seen as less serious. We need to recognize these events may be fatal to the unprepared or the careless. Seek shelter immediately when experiencing a severe wind event and take similar precautions that you would during a tornado warning, staying away from windows and making sure you’re in a safe structure. If you’re on the road when possible get off the road, park and get into a safe structure.
I have driven in strong winds and literally felt my car one time shift by the wind 3 feet to the right, thankfully there was no vehicle in that lane. Reducing our speed is the first step in taking precautions, the slower speed the less wind will affect our vehicle. If you’re driving a high-profile vehicle, like a van, trailer or larger truck consider pulling over and waiting for the storm to pass with the strongest winds. During the strong events when a tractor trailer can be turned on its side, we need to take precautions.
Most of us know to stay away from downed wires even if they’re not crackling and sparking, we have no way of knowing if they’re safe. Also, down wires can electrocute a person standing several feet away. Usually, rain accompanies a wind event and water, and puddles will conduct electricity a significant distance. When possible call the utility company or local police about the downed wires, never assume they already have a report.
There are steps we can take in advance to minimize the effect of a windstorm. First, we should make an emergency plan with our families, something we should do to respond to any emergency and will be effective in dealing with the wind event. We need to assume the power may go out and be prepared to shelter in our home with alternative methods of home heating, cooking, and lighting.
Before the storm hits, we should already have walked the perimeter of our property and considered steps we can take to protect our property. Trees should be trimmed or cut down when they pose a threat. One friend already had trees that were compromised and not removed. When the windstorm struck their house they were the victim. Also, we should check out our property and secure items which may become a missile like loose plywood, trampolines, and other items which could blow away or damage a home.
We need to protect our electronic devices. Computers should be backed up on a regular basis, such as using a cloud system, which will allow us to access the data from another location if necessary. You may also want to consider a power surge protector.
Always be aware of how to turn off your utilities both electric, water and gas. If your home was damaged, you may need to turn off the utilities. And, if you have a possible gas leak because of home damage you don’t want to create a massive explosion.
After the storm make a careful examination of your property particularly checking out your shingles, siding and gutters. When you see a branch on your roof don’t just assume it can simply be removed. In our house we had a branch hit the roof, one branch created a hole through the roof that was not discovered till much later.
If you’ve had property damage take a significant number of photos from all angles of your property damage which will be helpful when you contact your insurance company. Further, do not begin to throw out any property until you have talked to an insurance adjuster. When items are tossed and not properly documented they will generally be disallowed from a claim. Your insurance adjuster will provide guidance in how to deal with ruined items.
Strong winds have always occurred as we read in Job 1:19: “when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" Hopefully, the strong wind won’t kill your family, but solid planning will minimize the damage and inconvenience.
Learn more how to be a ReadyChristian helping your family and others in crises both large and small.
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