As the weather begins to warm up, the likelihood of severe weather will increase too. Tornadoes, heavy rains, flash flooding, and even hurricanes all threaten to wreak havoc for Pennsylvania home owners. Taking the time to prepare your family and home now will help ensure you are ready when the forecast calls for bad weather.
There are a few steps you can take to protect your home against severe weather.
Weatherproof Your Home
- Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. If the rain from a severe storm can’t run through your home gutters and downspouts, it will spill over and land in areas where it can soak through to your home’s foundation, causing flooding and structural damage.
- Keep the elements out. Try to prevent wind and water from entering through windows, cracks, entry doors, and garage doors. Especially in hurricane-prone areas, it is essential to seal your windows and doors as tightly as possible. You can purchase and install special storm shutters to cover your windows.
- Secure all doors. Consider installing steel entry doors if you live in an area that frequently gets heavy storms. High winds can easily tear through double doors, French doors, and sliding patio doors with no structural support between the sides. You may need to purchase and install special hardware to secure the doors where they meet more adequately. Try bolts that fasten the door into the framing at the top and the bottom.
- Prep your roof. A strong roof is another essential element in preparing your house to withstand a severe storm. Apply sealing around your home’s chimney or vent pipes. This will help prevent water from seeping into your home. Hire a contractor to check the structural integrity of the roof system.
Create an Emergency Supply Kit
An emergency supply kit that is ready and easily accessible will help you with any natural disaster. This kit will be important if you are in your home without electricity or if you are forced to evacuate. Your kit should contain water (one gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, family prescription medicines, pet supplies, and important family documents. For more ideas on stocking your emergency supply kit, visit ready.gov.
Develop a Family Communications Plan
Since your family may not be together during an emergency, it’s essential to establish a communication plan. Ready.gov recommends creating a paper copy of your family’s contact information and ensuring everyone carries a copy in a backpack, purse, or wallet. It’s also helpful to send text messages, as they are more likely to go through than phone calls during an emergency. Parents should also know the emergency plans at their children’s day care and schools.
Your family should also have a meeting place if you need to evacuate your home. The place could be inside or 
outside your neighborhood if it’s evacuated. Practice evacuation drills day and night so everyone knows where to go.
To learn more about protecting your home during storms and natural disasters, contact your local home builders association HERE.