Don’t Get Surprised by Summer Storms | SERVPRO® of Hershey/Swatara

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Hershey/Swatara is on the line, ready to make things right.

It’s summertime in Pennsylvania, and that means most people can’t wait to get out and do something. The weather is warm, and the sun is out—what’s not to enjoy?

Maybe you’re heading to Philly to cheer on the home team, or planning a weekend indulging in Hershey. But wherever you go, don’t leave your umbrella at home.

Despite the heat and sunshine (or rather, because of it), summer weather is more likely to produce thunderstorms. Rainfall in Lebanon County peaks in summer, as moisture in the atmosphere combines with the warm summer air to create storm conditions.

Be Storm-Alert

Storms should never be discounted as child’s play. If warnings are issued, pay attention and go over the game plan. An NOAA Weather radio can be a constant help as well, providing frequent updates and giving you a source of information even if you lose power.

If the forecaster warns of potential flooding, take it seriously. You may need to rearrange travel plans or cancel events. And check the area around your house—you may need to move or tie down garbage cans, trampolines or other items that could be washed or blown away.

Storm prep isn’t as fun as watching Bryce Harper hit homers, but it’s crucial if you want to stay safe. Storms and resulting flooding claim a number of lives each year, and some simple preparation and caution could prevent a majority of those fatalities.

Be Storm-Safe

Hunker down indoors during a storm, and stay inside until thunder has stopped for at least 30 minutes—this indicates that you’re out of range for a lightning strike, which can still occur up to 10 miles from an active storm.

Windows can shatter in a storm, so don’t sit or stand near them during the storm. And tubs, showers and the water they contain can conduct electrical current, so wait until later to take that bath.

Make sure you’ve got an emergency kit in the house or shelter, and keep a ready kit in the car as well, in case things turn ugly and you need to evacuate.

Floodwater is a danger for a bevy of reasons. It’s incredibly strong (like, carry-your-SUV-away strong), it can wash away concrete roads and the ground under them, and touching it can cause health effects.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.