Have you ever put thought into how to prepare for a thunderstorm? When you think about the different natural disaster types, you may think of earthquakes, tornados, and flash floods before considering a thunderstorm. However, these natural disasters can be just as dangerous to you and your home.
There are several steps you can take when it comes to how to prepare for a thunderstorm. From creating an emergency kit to creating a communications plan and ensuring that you and your family stay indoors, these steps can help you stay safe from the dangers of these natural disasters.
Whether you know how to prepare for a natural disaster or not, this article will go through the essentials.
Create a Communications Plan
A thunderstorm can render your power and cell signal useless. It’s imperative that you create a communications plan with your family so that you can all be on the same page in case of a severe thunderstorm. Pick a safe room in your home to set as a meeting place and make plans for what you should do if you’re unable to make it to the designated meeting area.
You can find inspiration for plans on how to prepare for a natural disaster by visiting the government page on natural disaster preparedness.
Creating an Emergency Kit
Creating an emergency kit will help you and your family brave a natural disaster should you be trapped in your home or vehicle for extended periods. You can find most of the items you’ll need for your emergency preparedness kit at most stores. These items include things like:
- Water bottles or gallons
- Non-perishable food
- Non-prescription medication
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
- Flashlights
- Standard first-aid kit with ointments and bandaids
- Extra batteries
- A whistle or similar item to call for help
- Dust masks to filter contaminated air
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to create a temporary shelter
- Wrenches and pliers
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Backup batteries for cell phones
Additional Supplies: Depending on your situation and the people involved, you should also consider including the following items in your preparedness kit:
- Prescription medications
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, and ointments
- Pet food and additional water for your pets
- Cash or checks if you’re traveling
- Important family documents in a waterproof container
- A fire extinguisher
- Matches
- Feminine hygiene products
- Activities for children
These items should be able to keep you and your family safe and healthy during a natural disaster.
Power Down Your Circuit Breakers
You should turn off the circuit breakers before the storm hits to prevent lightning from surging throughout your home.
Keep Up With Weather Forecasts
There’s a good chance your power may go out if the thunderstorm is severe enough or you’ve powered down your circuit breakers. While you may be unable to keep up with weather forecasts via television, you can download a weather app on your phone to track the storm.
Make sure to download a weather app that can provide you with real-time warnings and crowd-sourced reports that pinpoint potential danger zones.
Staying Safe During a Thunderstorm
Once the storm commences, there are some steps you should take to keep you and your family safe until it passes.
Stay indoors: you should remain indoors until the storm passes and weather reports show that your area is safe from the disaster. Staying indoors reduces your chances of being struck by lightning or caught up in inclement weather.
Stay clear of water and plumbing lines: according to the Centers for Disease Control, one-third of lightning strikes occur indoors. Ensure you and your family stay clear of water or plumbing to avoid a potential strike.
Move to a secure shelter: as mentioned previously, you should move to a safe shelter such as a basement. If you live in a manufactured or mobile home, it’s recommended you seek out a public building that may be offering protection during a natural disaster emergency or contact family members about staying with them while the storm passes.
What to Do After a Thunderstorm
Out of all the natural disaster types, a thunderstorm can do a significant amount of damage. After a thunderstorm, you should still exercise caution and wait at least 30 minutes after it has ended to go outside.
When it’s safe to venture out, stay on the lookout for the following:
Downed wires: a thunderstorm brings lighting, which can strike trees and cause them to bring down powerlines with them. It’s crucial never to touch anything in direct contact with a downed powerline; this can conduct electricity and shock you. If you see any downed powerlines, call 911 immediately.
Avoid driving through flooded areas: if you’re going to be hitting the road after a storm, make sure you avoid flooded areas. Flash floods and high water levels can quickly sweep cars away. Even if the water doesn’t seem too high, it’s best not to take the chance.
Alert the authorities if you smell natural gas: natural disasters can damage gas lines, resulting in gas leaks that can be dangerous to your and your family’s health. If you smell natural gas after a thunderstorm, notify the authorities immediately.
Call Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration If Your Home Sustained Damage
While you may do all you can to prepare for a natural disaster, sometimes it can still seriously damage your home. You may need to contact a restoration company to address these damages in these situations.
If your home has sustained damage from a thunderstorm or other natural disaster, contact Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration at 801-383-0964. We work 24/7 to take care of all types of damages, ranging from water, fire, and storm damage to mold remediation, sewage backup, and biohazard cleanup. You can be sure that our licensed professionals based out of Murray, Utah, will help restore your home or commercial space to the best standards.
