Recent Storm Damage Posts

Storm Team

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO as a whole has a storm team that goes all over the country to different disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or anything else that may need our help. Once the initial team gets to the destination, they will determine how many teams would be best to have come and help and then send a nationwide message to all SERVPRO franchises asking for help. Although asked, franchises do not have to help. From experience sending people from our franchise, it is an amazing training tool and the citizens in the communities are very thankful for our help. SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties are here to help and we will do whatever it takes to help those in need.

Winter Storms

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not ready for it. From heavy rain to freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can control who you call upon to help with the loss that occurred to ensure it is done right and in a timely manner. SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties will be there in your time of need regardless of the amount of snow on the ground, the temperature or anything else. We are here to help.

Precautions to Take Before Winter Storm

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Winter storms are no fun and they will be here before we know it. Here are some precautions you can take for your home and or business to ensure it is being protected. 

1. Roofs, water pipes and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from the building so water does not flow towards your home or business.

2. Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.

3. Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present. 

4. Protect water pipes from freezing by leaving cabinet doors open to allow warm air to flow inside it. If there are pipes outside make sure they are protected from the weather.

Water Loss From Storm

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you ask a midwestern person about storms, must will say that they sometimes happen out of no where and they love watching them roll through. Although storms can be fun to watch, it is not fun to see one cause a waterloss in your home due to the large amount of rain it is bringing. Here are some things you should and should not due if you are experiencing a water loss until help arrives.

DO:

1: Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified person to stop it.

2: Turn off any circuits that lead to the wet areas to prevent fire or shock.

3: Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture and the wet floor to protect furniture.

DONT:

1: Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist

2: Use a vacuum to suck up water because it could damage the vacuum or even shock you.

3: Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Once SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties arrive, we will make sure the water source is shut off that caused the loss and then we will begin the mitigation process while answering any questions you may have.

Tropical Storms

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties responded to Alabama after the bad hurricane hit. We sent two guys down and they worked some really long days while they were down there. Our franchise responded to 5 calls while we were down there and our crew learned so much and got a lot of experience. The folks down there were so nice and thankful for us coming down to help. Although the situation was terrible, our crew enjoyed being down there helping. Tropical storms happen every year and although they differ from severity, they are nothing to mess with and should always be taken seriously. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, be sure to prepare yourself and take the correct precautions.

Old Windows

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

Aging windows is not good for homes for multiple reasons. Aging windows calls for higher electric bills both in the winter and summer. A big thing about aging windows is that when a storm hits and depending on the severity, those windows could have cracks or creases that will allow water to get into your home regardless of the level of the home it is on. If the wind is strong enough and it is raining hard enough, it could potentially find its way in your home through the busted caulk, creases, cracks or anything else that could have an opening. Be sure to check windows annually to make sure they are still in good condition and does not need maintenance.

Structure Damage

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Depending on the size of the storm, they can cause catastrophic damage to not only homes but communities. Storms can do everything from uprooting trees - which could fall on houses, fences or just damage land overall, rip off siding, shingles, gutters or anything else on the exterior of the house. Either one of those things can be very expensive to repair and even taking the right precautions would not help protect from those things happening. SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties does everything from the inside of the home to the outside, so if anything comes up and you need assistance, give us a call (765) 659-9600.

After the Storm

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Every storm is different and the severity can fluctuate throughout its duration. The best thing to do before a storm is to prepare your household with what to do in case of a power outage, tornado or anything else like that. However, there are some things that you should do after a storm to make sure your home was not damaged. After a storm, be sure to go outside and look at gutters and your roof to make sure no shingles, siding or possibly even your gutters had not been ripped off. After checking the structure of your home, be sure to go to the lowest level and make sure there is no water coming in. If there is, give SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties a call and we will be there to get it taken care of. Also be sure to check your sump pump to make sure it is working correctly. Give us a call if anything arises and you need our assistance!

What to do After

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

When a big storm is in the forecast, the first thing to do is make sure you and your family have a gameplan for if and when things become severe and need to seek safety. When the storm passes, regardless of what type it is, you should check the outside of your home for any damage that the storm may have caused. Also be sure to check the lowest points of your home to make sure that no water is finding its way inside. If the weather is cold enough, check all pipes that are near the outside to make sure none of them have busted or are leaking. If there is any damage to the outside or inside of your home, contact SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties and we will be there right away.

Answer the Call

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties is a 24/7 fire and water restoration company that responds to calls within a few hours. Whether it be a snow storm or thunderstorm, our crew will get to you and help get your home or business back in working order. Thunderstorms can cause both a fire and a water loss, but no matter what occurs, SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties will be there. If the thunderstorm causes your sump pump to fail or floods your basement by high amounts of water coming in, we will be there to extract the water and begin drying. If something happens to catch fire, we will be there once the fire department has done their job and begin going through everything that may be trash or could potentially be saved.

How to Prepare for a Storm

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Storms are inevitable and can cause a lot of damage depending on the severity. When the forecast is calling for a thunderstorm or even heavy rain, here are some things you should do to make sure you are protected from potential damage. The first thing is to go down to the lowest point of your home and make sure there are no cracks or crevices where water could come in. Next thing you should do is check your sump pump if you have one to make sure it is working properly. We also recommend that you and your family in the home come up with a plan to get to safety if the weather gets bad enough as well as know where all of the shutoffs are just in case something were to happen. Those simple tasks can protect you and your family from any damage the storm may cause. 

Summer Storms

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Storms in the summertime can be very severe and with the high winds could lead to tornadoes in some areas. If you are in an area that is known to have tornadoes, you and your family need to be sure to have a safety plan so everyone knows where to go in the case of an emergency. Winter storms typically just brings a lot of snow and cold temperatures that makes you want to bundle up and watch a movie by the fire place, but storms in the summer can be quite scary, especially if the power goes out. SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties highly recommends a safety plan that includes a safe place to meet, shutoffs, phone numbers just in case the parents are not home and anything else the family thinks should be on it. Tornadoes can cause a ton of damage, so it is best to be prepared.

When Storms Hit, We're Ready.

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties specializes in water restoration. If a storm causes a leak or any other damage, our highly trained crew will be there and restore your home or business to pre-storm condition "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties will be there in a timely manner, which will lessen the damage, limit further damage and reduce the restoration cost.

Once we respond, we will get the problem under control, answer any questions you may have and then monitor the situation in the coming days. Things that can be done during a storm to stay on top of potential problems would be to periodically check the lowest and highest points in the house to check for leaks. Also have a plan in place with your family for if the power goes out or if something were to happen such as a leak, flood, or even tornado. 

SERVPRO of Boone & Clinton Counties is here when you need them and will take great care of you. We will get the problem under control and keep you in the loop throughout the whole process. Call us at 765-659-9600 if you have any questions or need our service.

Spring Storms

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is on the horizon, which means so is the unpredictable weather that spring brings. With the fluctuating weather, storms are very common along with tornadoes if it becomes severe enough. Regardless if it is a storm or tornado, SERVPRO of Boone and Clinton Counties will be there to assist you in your time of need. 

Storms can cause a great deal of damage to a home or business. Whether it be water damage or damage caused by a fire that was ignited by lightning, or any other damage that may have been caused by the storm, SERVPRO will be there. 

SERVPRO of Boone and Clinton Counties is open 24/7 and will always respond in a timely manner to get your problem under control. Our goal is to not only identify the problem and get it fixed but to also educate our customers on what we are doing to make sure they are always on the same page. We want to leave our customers knowing that they are pleased with our service and that we are leaving the job like nothing ever happened. 

Flash Flood Precautions

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Since we are experiencing lots of rain these days, we wanted to provide you with some helpful information on flash floods--especially because many of our customers live close to lakes and rivers. However, as fun as living near the water might be, it can put home/business owners at a high risk for water damage due to flash flooding. 

According to weather.gov, flash flooding is the number 1 cause of weather related deaths in the United States, so it’s important to be aware of how they work, and what to do if you experience one. 

There are two key factors that make up flash floods: 1.) Intensity of the rainfall, and 2.) The duration of the rainfall. Soil conditions, as well as ground cover also play a role in flash floods. 

Flash floods can be unpredictable. Sometimes they happen within a few minutes of a storm, while other times they start after many hours of intense rainfall. However, most flash floods are caused by slow moving thunderstorms, or heavy rainfall from tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Another important factor to note is that flash floods can be extremely strong. They can rip out trees, move large boulders, and destroy buildings, homes, and bridges. They can also cause dangerous mudslides, as well as reach heights of  30 feet or more! Please remember that even if flood waters appear shallow, they can still be dangerous. 6 inches of water might not seem hazardous, but if it's moving fast enough, it can knock you off your feet! Even as little as 2 feet of water can float a car! For your safety, and for the safety of those around you, never try to walk, swim, or drive through fast moving flood waters. Turn around, go a different way, and get to higher ground until it’s safe. If your home or business ever experiences water damage from flash flooding, don’t hesitate to reach out! We value your property and personal belongings, and want to give you peace of mind by restoring the damage. We are here when you need us most!

Being Prepared for the Storm

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Tornado outbreaks, river floods, flash floods, historic earthquakes, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities are more examples that affect millions of people for days at a time.

Now is the time to think about the basics, things you will need in advance of an emergency: how you will communicate, what supplies you will need to keep in your home, car or office. Use the list provided here to build an emergency supply kit to ensure your family is equipped and ready for any type of disaster.

The more you know about what to do in an emergency, the more confident and secure you will feel in your abilities to manage through a disaster.

Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one plans on a disaster, but now, you can plan for it.

Build An Emergency Supply Kit:

  • Water, gallon per person per day
  • Food, non-perishable 3-day supply
  • Manual can opener             
  • Battery operated radio and extra batteries
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle to signal for help    
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, if necessary
  • Dust masks or bandannas
  • Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and duct tape
  • Local maps        
  • Hygiene items
  • Clothing
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in waterproof container
  • Cash
  • Important documents such as:
    • Copies of insurance
    • Policies, identification and
    • Bank account information

Contact your local professionals at SERVPRO of Boone and Clinton Counties for more information and tools to help you be “Ready for whatever happens.”

Tips For Thunderstorms

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Knowledge is invaluable when disaster strikes.  Having a plan in place can keep us safe.

Here our some tips from the American Red Cross concerning Thunderstorms: 

Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms produce hail with a diameter of at least 1 inch or wind gusts of at least 58 mph. Lightning produced by thunderstorms kill more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Widespread power outages caused by high winds which damage homes, blow down trees and utility poles. Flash flooding can be caused by heavy rains during thunderstorms.

What’s the Difference? Storm Watch vs. Storm Warning

A severe storm watch is when there is a possibility for severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. It is advised to remain informed and ready to act in the event of a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

A severe thunderstorm warning is when there has been reports of severe weather by spotters or radar. Warnings indicate an imminent danger to life and property. 

People are seriously injured or killed by severe thunderstorms every year despite advance warning. While some may not be informed on such warnings, there are those who hear the warning but do not heed to it; therefore, it is vital to stay engaged and have a plan in place in the event of a severe thunderstorm and if evacuation is necessary. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, may help save lives.

For more information about storms visit the National Weather Service.

If you need us in the event there is property damage, feel free to reach out at (765) 659-9600. We are available 24 hours a days, 7 days a week, 365 days out of the year, 366 on leap years. We're here to help get it back to "Like it never even happened."

When Storms or Floods hit Boone and Clinton County, SERVPRO is ready!

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Boone and Clinton County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Boone and Clinton Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (765) 659-9600