Be Prepared for Heavy Rains

April Showers Bring May Flowers!  This week has brought us some heavy rainfall.  We are entering May and we should be hopefully be leaving the showers behind in April, but as we all know we are also entering hurricane season. Heavy rains can cause many problems from driving conditions to roof and property damage.

We've gathered some tips to help you prepare for heavy rainstorms:

Before The Storm

• Make a list and purchase emergency supplies.
• Monitor weather reports for updated information.
• Buy enough drinking water to last several days.
• Remember your pets!  Bring them indoors for safety.
• Secure loose objects outside your home.
• Get extra cash. ATMs may be out of order after a severe storm.
• Fill your car tank with gas.
• Give yourself extra time for travel in bad weather.

Preparing For Heavy Rains

• Review your current insurance policy and become familiar with what is and is not covered.
• Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance for your home (and business) and its contents. There is a 30 day waiting  period for flood coverage - don't wait until it's raining to think of this important coverage.
• Have emergency evacuation plans prepared.
• Think ahead and list your possessions; take pictures ahead of time.
• Keep valuable items on the upper floors of your property or in a waterproof container.

What To Do If Your Property Floods

• Check for structural damage before re-entering your property to avoid being trapped in a building collapse.
• Take photos and save any damaged personal property.
• Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their purchase date and value with receipts, and place with the inventory you took prior to the flood. Some damaged items may require disposal, so keep photographs of these items.
• Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
• Boil water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
• Prevent mold by removing wet contents immediately.
• Call a restoration company for emergency restoration services.

What To Do If The Power Goes Out

• Call your power company to report the outage. They need to know the affected areas.  Do not call 911, unless you see wires down.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible. Your food will stay cold for hours if the door is left closed.
• Unplug some of your major appliances. When the power comes back on, a power surge could damage those appliances.
• If you have a generator, do not connect it to your properties power system unless it has been properly installed and disconnects you from the main power grid when it is operating.
• If you are running a generator, keep it a safe and proper distance from home to avoid the dangerous fumes.
• If you have a regular wood stove or fireplace, you can use it for heat. Do not use kerosene heaters, BBQs, or any outdoor type heater inside. They can create dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide.
• If you have to go out, drive carefully. Traffic signals may be impacted due to power outages and can cause a danger.

After The Storm

• Stay alert, flood areas can take one to two days to completely flood after a storm.
• Check your roof for signs of damage.
• Inspect your property for water damage.
• Stay alert for musty smells a few days after it rains.
• If you think you have mold, call a restoration company to assess the situation.

The most important thing is for you and your family to stay safe!