Extreme weather can lead to extreme property disasters

Extreme changes in the weather are one of the largest causes of property disasters. Most people who associate property disasters due to weather often think that they only occur in areas where there is severe flooding such as along the Mississippi River or the potential for a hurricane along the Gulf Coast. The reality is severe weather changes can affect homeowners in almost every state and lead to an unexpected property disaster. Weather is by far the largest single factor that leads to large scale catastrophes. Large scale thunderstorms have the potential to quickly lead to property damage from fallen trees and flooding from water saturation. Wind storms can wreak havoc on a property as it has the potential to blow shingles off of the roof and break windows. Tornadoes and Hurricanes often get the most attention by the media and can cause large scale disasters across many communities.

Ice and snow storms can be just as dangerous for property owners. Last week, the central part of the U.S. (Oklahoma City) was caught in a severe winter storm that included significant amounts of ice. Large amounts of ice can quickly cause billions of dollars worth of property damage. Ice is amongst the most dangerous of all weather conditions as the weight can quickly cause trees to collapse, roofs to buckle and lead to fires and floods in a home. Compounding the problem with icy roads make the situation all the more difficult to manage for emergency restoration crews and rescue teams trying to reach people in need of help. The severe cold weather combined with the right level of precipitation can create all kinds of problems for property owners as was witnessed in the Oklahoma City area last week.

Property fires are often more common in the winter time. The sever cold weather will quickly strain a homes heating and electrical systems. Large wind gusts have the ability to cause frozen pipes and break down electrical lines. Properties that are multi story in size are likely to be more susceptible to weather condition changes. Basement areas can also be a challenge with sever weather as they easily flood and take on water, especially when a property loses electricity and a sump pump is not able to properly work.

There are very few areas of the country that are immune from the dangers of severe weather. Northern states are more likely to face challenges from cold weather, and most southern states have greater exposure to storms originating off of the ocean. Staying alert and safe should be every property owners number one focus during these times. Properties and structures can be rebuilt after a catastrophe, so personal safety should never be jeopardized to try and save a home or business. If your property has been damaged, contact an emergency restoration contractor for a safety analysis before you re-enter the structure. Personal safety should never be jeopardized and often dangers such as down electrical lines, broken gas lines or air born contaminants may be overlooked by individuals who lack the experience to inspect a property.