Take Shelter if a Summer Storm Catches You Off-Guard | SERVPRO® of West El Paso

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Have you been affected by a storm event? SERVPRO of West El Paso is available 24/7 and ready to assist you with any storm damage.

Enjoying a beautiful summer day outside is a great way to spend an afternoon, but it is important that you are always aware of the dangers that a thunderstorm can lead to. While that may be the furthest thing from your mind on a clear day, storms can feed off of the heat and humidity synonymous with summer, popping up suddenly and causing danger.

These tips can help you stay safe even if a storm catches you off-guard.

Stay Safe Even if a Storm Catches You Off-Guard

Know your options for shelter. When a storm is heading your way and you are safely at home or in another secure location, you can wait out the danger in an ideal way. However, not every situation will work out this way, so it is important to know how to safely take shelter in your vehicle as well, just in case.

Practice electrical safety. There is always a possibility that lightning will strike the ground if thunder is in the area. Even if you are in a building, lightning can pose risks due to power surges, which ruin electronics and can cause sparks. The best thing to do is unplug everything that is nearby if you know a storm is coming—but if not, installing surge protectors at home and at the office is a good permanent solution.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. It is commonly assumed that a concrete structure will be your best bet for a storm shelter, but it is important to take precautions even then. Concrete will often be reinforced with metal materials, making it sturdy yet hazardous if lightning strikes. If you are sheltering in a concrete building, avoid directly touching floors or walls so you do not receive any electrical charge.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. If you have been interrupted by a storm as you go about your day, you will understandably want to get back to what you were doing as quickly as possible—but because of how far lightning has been known to travel from storm clouds, it is recommended that you put a pause on all outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

If your home sustains damage due to a storm, you can count on us to help. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our storm restoration process.