Emergency Storm Tips for Morris/Ottawa Residents

3/17/2017 (Permalink)

Take precautions

Find out about weather warnings in effect in your region or in the area where you are planning to travel. Take such warnings into account when you plan your activities.

Prepare yourself when a windstorm is forecast

When the meteorological service forecasts a windstorm, fasten anything that can be blown away outside your home to prevent dangerous situations and injuries.

Postpone all unnecessary travel. If you absolutely have to travel, visit a web site like wather.com to find out about weather travel warnings.

Take precautions during extreme windstorms

Follow these tips in the event of extreme windstorms or events such as tornadoes:

• If you can shelter in a building.
• Take refuge in your house, preferably in the basement.
• Take refuge in a solid building that can withstand strong winds.
• Stay far away from doors and windows and keep your back to them.
• Do not use the elevator in a building.
• Evacuate in a timely manner your mobile home or any other shelter that the wind could sweep away. Also evacuate your home if you receive evacuation instructions from the authorities.

If you cannot take shelter in a building:

• Take refuge in a ditch or other depression in the ground, lie face down on the ground and protect your head with your hands.
• Avoid taking shelter under a bridge, viaduct or overpass, since winds are more intense there.

After a windstorm, make your environment safe

• Barricade the windows
• Lock the doors
• Cover damaged areas
•  

Make sure that your home is safe after a windstorm. Inspect the premises for damage.

• Check the roof.
• Check structures that might have been weakened, such as the shed.
• Pick up debris scattered by the wind.
• Never touch downed power lines or electrical installations. Call Hydro-Québec at 1 800 790-2424 if you notice a downed power line.

If windstorms have damaged your home inform:

• Your insurer, to have the damage recorded
• The financial institution that granted you a mortgage loan, to declare the damage
• Increase the security of your home to keep away looters and inquisitive individuals if extensive work must be carried out before you can return to your home. Be sure to:

CALL SERVPRO of Morris / Ottawa. SERVPRO responds immediately to your flood and storm damage emergencies. We have the storm damage restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your Morris home or business back to pre-storm condition. Call (815) 416-0075.