While we typically don’t see as much severe weather from tropical storms here in the Triad as our coast, we often have increased wind & rain when hurricanes, or other tropical storms, make their way through our state. Many of us experienced this recently when Debbie (aka Big Deborah, Debbie Downer, etc.) made her way through, dropping heavy rain during a short period of time.
Now that Debbie has passed, it’s a great time to check for any damage to your home the storm may have caused, and prepare for additional storms & rain that may head our way throughout the Fall. Here are some tips we hope help you to prepare for potential stormy weather:
- Inspect your Roof
Now is a great time to take a look at your roof (or have an expert do a proper inspection) to check for any damage or aging. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, or see that your roof is in need of repair or replacement, plan to take care of that sooner than later, before the next big rainfall heads our way. - Check your Drains & Gutters
Take a look at your home’s gutters & drainage and remove any debri that could cause clogs during heavy rainfall. Repair any damage you see (or hire a professional to help) & plan to reinspect & clean your gutters and drainage throughout the Fall, as the beautiful Autumn leaves begin to fall, making their way into your gutters. - Review your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Now is a good time to review your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy & ensure that you have adequate coverage, just in case a storm caused significant damage to your home. Home Values typically increase over time, so check with your insurance agent to review your policy and make sure the coverage amounts are adequate for your current home value. And if you are currently renting, consider a renter’s insurance policy to cover any personal property that could be damaged in a storm (this helped us personally years ago when a lightning strick took our some of our electronics) - Check Trees near your Home
Take some time to visually inspect any trees around your home, checking for any dead limbs that need to be removed and anything you see that could potentially damage your home during a storm. A local landscaping company or arborist can help assess the health of your trees if you aren’t sure or have questions. - Have an Emergency Kit Ready
Make sure you / your family is ready just in case a storm rolls through. Consider having non-perishable food, like canned soups, flashlights or lanterns, batteries, backup chargers, first aid supplies, pet food and necessities, & water (water is especially important if your water source is a well with an electric pump, just in case you lose power). And if you have a generator for your home, check to see that it is working before any storms roll through. - Prepare your Storm Plan
Consider creating a checklist to help prepare in the days and hours leading up to a storm, should you know one is on the way. Include things like making sure your emergency kit is stocked & ready (check your canned goods expiration dates), outdoor items are secured to not blow away or be damaged, & stay up to date with weather updates from your local news (we often check Facebook pages of local meteorologists for updates; often at least one will go live during stormy weather, providing updates in real time).
Of course, if there is anything we can do to help you and your family better prepare your homes for storms, don’t hesitate to reach out! Should you need a roofer, insurance broker, arborist, or any other service provider, we would be happy to help connect you with someone who can help.
We hope these tips are helpful & that you all stay safe! If you have any questions or real estate needs, let us know - we are always happy to help!