Have you ever been caught in a hurricane, flood, typhoon, or other severe storm? If you have, you know that it can be one of the scariest things you can go through and cause billions of dollars worth of damage around the world every year. But if you take a few precautions to protect your family and home before a storm hits, you can help save lives and keep your property from getting too damaged.

Before

Even if a storm is not predicted, it is a good idea to have a plan in place. Once a storm is predicted, it is even more important to finish the plan. If you write down or type up a disaster plan and keep it somewhere easy to find, like by the front door or taped to the inside of the kitchen cupboard, everyone should know where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. You should all agree on a place to meet in case you all get separated. A landmark is a good choice.

Also, if you can, make a family member or friend who lives out of town your emergency contact, just in case the worst happens. Make sure they know who to call if they can not get in touch with you. Once the storm is over, do not forget to call or send a message to let them know you are safe so they do not have to worry.

If a storm is coming, make sure to listen to TV and radio regularly and follow any evacuation orders, if they are given. If not, fill your bathtub with clean, fresh water. If your windows and doors have storm shutters, make sure they are closed and locked, and put plywood over any exposed glass. You may also want to consider upgrading your windows and doors with Storm Pro Window and Door to further safeguard your home against storms.

Furthermore, make sure any tall trees near your property are healthy and deep-rooted. Trees can easily fall during a storm, crashing straight through your roof or onto your car. Even if you have no trees nearby, your roof can still be damaged, especially if you have loose or old tiles. Luckily, all you need to do is hire a Roofing contractor in San Antonio, TX (or wherever you are) to come and repair any broken shingles, which should protect your home from strong winds and heavy rain.

During

Assuming you did not leave your home and stayed there, you should stay away from any doors, windows, or skylights that lead outside. Hopefully, you already have impact windows installed, but if you haven't, make sure you are well away from the windows. Most of the time, a room inside the house, a closet, or a bathroom are the safest places to go with pillows and blankets to wait out the storm. Stay where you are until you hear that the storm is over. The eye of the storm can cause a false calm, and you do not want to be caught off guard when the winds pick up again. 

After

Even if the storm seems to be over, do not try to leave your safe place and go back home until the authorities tell you it is safe to do so. When you do go home, be careful as you walk onto your property. Turn on your battery-powered flashlight before you go in. If there is a gas leak, even a small spark can start a fire.

First, you need to make sure the building is safe. Look for signs of gas or water leaks, as well as damage to the electric and sewage systems. If you are not sure, or if you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing sounds, stay away and call your gas and utility provider to report the problem. Stay away from downed power lines, broken wires, and cables, and do not walk or drive through flood water. It could be electrically charged or full of raw sewage, oil, or gas.