Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
Protecting Your Roof During a Hurricane
8/31/2023 (Permalink)
How to Protect Your Roof During a Hurricane
Protect your roof. Consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is bolted to the rest of your house. And inspect your roof tiles or shingles to make sure they are secure. Use roofing cement to fix any loose tiles to prevent them from becoming lethal projectiles during a storm and damaging the underlying roofing material. Seal any areas where wires enter the home, minimizing the chance of water damage during heavy wind and rain.
Trim your trees. Broken limbs could land on your (or your neighbor’s) roof/house or become missiles that can break windows during a storm. If your tree damages your house or a neighbor’s house, your insurance cover the damages, but it may pay only a portion.
If your home is damaged during a San Antonio area storm, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs. Faster to Any Size Disaster
Source: Kiplinger
How to Set Up Weather Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
7/24/2022 (Permalink)
Search for "CMAS" or "WEA" in your phone's messaging settings. You can also dial "##2627##" (minus the quotes) on your phone to turn them on.
If neither of these do the trick, you might not have a phone that is WEA enabled. But, you can still get emergency weather alerts with weather apps like the Weather Channel app or WeatherUSA, for which you can search your app store.
WeatherUSA sends out real-time alerts to you every time there’s any weather-related warning in your area. They send these alerts out whenever they are released by any federal agency, including the National Weather Service. These alerts are sent across to the subscribers via SMS or email. You can choose to add your county or state for the local weather warnings.
For Android users, To meet the FCC standards, Android introduced “Emergency Broadcasts” features in all its mobiles. Through this service, you can get severe weather alerts instantly. Apart from these alerts, this feature also sends out an alert whenever there’s any emergency in your area.
Source: USA Today Online
Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting
7/24/2022 (Permalink)
Unlike other types of house fires, which occur more frequently in the winter months, fires in the home caused by lightning are more likely to happen in June, July and August in the late afternoon or early evening. From 2007-2011, NFPA says there were an average of 22,600 fires per year caused by lightning strikes. Lightning is responsible for a number of wildfires as well.
Lightning during storms poses the greatest risk outdoors and frequently strikes the highest point on a structure.
Safety tips During Lightning Storms:
- When possible, stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
- Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
- Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
- Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm as metal plumbing is an excellent conductor of electricity.
Source: Property and Casualty 360 online and National Fire Protection Association online
Safety in Removing Water After a Storm
2/21/2022 (Permalink)
Should you experience a flood in your home after a storm, our team of technicians will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered. If you suspect your home or business has been contaminated with "black water", please do not try to remove it yourself. Please call the professionals at SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs who are bio hazard certified.
What exactly is black water? Category 3 "black water" is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
- May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
- Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup
24 Hour Emergency Service
Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Helotes / Leon Springs are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any emergency situations that arise. We are here to help.
Emergency Alerts on your Smartphone are a Proven Lifesaver
2/21/2022 (Permalink)
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can save your life. Here's how it works: when the National Weather Service issues an urgent alert for a storm in your location, the system looks to see which cell phone towers are included in the storm’s area. All cell phone towers within the warning area send out an instant emergency alert to WEA-enabled devices. The alert plays the classic emergency alert tone and pushes a notification to your screen.
The great benefit to these alerts is that they only go off if you're in the area affected by hazardous weather. This helps remedy the problem of receiving false alarms for storms dozens of miles away on the other side of your county. If you receive an emergency alert on your smartphone, you know you need to take immediate action to keep yourself and your family safe. Wireless Emergency Alerts are pushed out for tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, hurricane warnings, dust storm warnings, extreme wind warnings, and local dangers such as AMBER Alerts and evacuation orders.
Source: Forbes
Roof Damage After Storm Sweeps Through San Antonio
2/21/2022 (Permalink)
A located in Leon Springs experienced storm damage when strong winds and heavy rains rolled through our area. A couple of shingles blew off during the storm which allowed rain water to get into the attic. The rain soaked the insulation and the drywall in the ceiling, causing the ceiling in this home to collapse. SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs received the call and came out immediately. Our technicians did a temporary tarp job on the roof to prevent further rain from causing additional damage to the home until the roof could be repaired. Then they began extracting any standing water and removing debris from the collapsed ceiling. They set up fans and dehumidifiers throughout the house to thoroughly dry the affected areas to prevent mold from forming. SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs, Here to Help.
What Secondary Damage can Occur after Storm Damage?
1/7/2022 (Permalink)
After roof leaks or flood damage, if not properly dried and treated, a home or business can develop mold from the moisture left on: wood, tile, carpeting, windows, concrete, and/or other materials/items that were affected. SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs strives to prevent secondary damage every time we remediate water damage. Building material and flooring are dried and treated to prevent mold and other allergens/contaminates using specialized equipment and cleaning products.
If water damage is not properly treated, the perfect environment is created for mold spores to grow in your home and to contaminate the air that is breathed.
Should you ever suffer water damage due to: excessive rain, storm damage, leaky roof, flood damage, a water heater leak, sink overflow, fire, refrigerator leak, or any other reason water has invaded your home or business, please know that SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs is here to help. Faster to Any Disaster
Entering Your Home After a Storm, Hurricane, or Tornado
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Entering your home or business after severe storm damage can be risky… roofs can collapse, glass from shattered windows will be on surfaces and floors. Cleaning up after major storm damage can mean facing: contaminated water, animals and insects, splintered wood and sagging ceilings. It is best to let the professionals who are trained and certified to work in these storm damage environments handle the damage restoration. However, according to the American Red Cross, if you absolutely must enter your home or business, be sure to wear:
- Sturdy shoes or boots (no tennis shoes or flip flops)
Whether it’s for your home or for your business, for more information on storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs, click HERE.
We are here to help, San Antonio.
Source: Red Cross Online
Black Water Damage after a Storm
7/25/2021 (Permalink)
Sometimes during a bad storm or flood, sewage water has no place to go and will start coming up through the toilet, bathtub, sinks, and other areas with pipes. This water is considered very hazardous and is called, "Black Water".
Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
- May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
- Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup
24 Hour Emergency Service
Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any emergency situations that arise. We have been a trusted name in safety and properly restoring homes and businesses for over 15 years! We are properly trained for bio hazard restoration and are here to help!
How to Fill and Stack Sandbags to Prevent Flooding
2/18/2021 (Permalink)
Sandbags for Flooding are essential tools if you live in an area prone to flooding.
Filling Your Sandbags
It is recommended that you use sand to fill your bags with, however if it is not readily available soil will work too. When filling your bags, you want to fill them just slightly more than half-full so they lay flatter, are easier to stack, and are lighter to move. Bags are much easier to handle if they are no more than 40 pounds when filled, although this may vary depending on the size of the bag (typical bags for sand-filling are 24-26 inches long by 14 inches wide).
Stacking Sandbags
One factor to keep in mind when protecting your home and property in the event of a flood is that sandbags are simply meant to divert water and debris away from the home, but do not create a water-tight seal. Proper placement will, however, significantly reduce the amount of water that seeps in.
First, you will need to prepare the site where the bags will be placed. You should clear the area where they’ll be placed by removing debris such as large sticks, ice, and snow etc. These may cause gaps in your structure. Your barrier won’t serve you any good if the ground is too slippery and your sandbags all slide away when the water flows so you need to be sure there is enough friction to keep them in place.
If your home has experienced flooding, please call SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs right away, as time is a factor. The professionals at SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs offer emergency services 24/7. Here to Help.
Source: Chainsaw Journal Jan 2020.
Proper Tree Trimming and Storm Damage
1/20/2021 (Permalink)
Trees in our yards are beautiful, necessary for clean air, help to prevent water damage to our homes, and provide the relief of shade. As healthy as a tree can be, often larger, older trees can have dead limbs that require trimming. When trees are not properly trimmed, dead limbs are very susceptible to breaking off during a storm, causing storm damage to our homes or places of business. SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs has received multiple calls this storm season from homeowners who have suffered storm damage due to a tree limb through their window or roof. When this happens, it is important to board the roof or window as quickly as possible after the storms have passed and to call a SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs' remediation crew right away in order to prevent further water damage and mold from forming. Faster to Any Disaster, (210) 973-7636
San Antonio Area - Are you Storm Aware?
1/20/2021 (Permalink)
As we continue to see storms throughout our San Antonio area cities, we at SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs want you to be aware of what the different threat levels mean so that you can be prepared for whatever happens.
Flash Flood Watch
A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood Watch
A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Warning
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
If your home or commercial building ever suffers flood damage, call the SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs experts.
Securing Your Home for Hurricanes
7/26/2020 (Permalink)
Brace your garage door to prevent more-extensive damage. Most garage doors are not reinforced, and when the wind gets into the garage, it creates a positive push at the same time that the wind swirling above the structure creates a negative pull. That push-pull combination can cause the roof to fly off. Find a kit that you can buy at home-improvement stores to brace your garage doors.
Secure your windows and doors. Broken windows can let in wind and rain, and they can also increase the pressure under the roof. Storm shutters provide the best protection, but boarding up windows when a storm is on the way can help, too. Make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they don’t fly open; deadbolts are best. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides of the home -- not just the one facing the body of water where hurricanes could form -- because hurricanes can swirl in any direction.
Source: Kiplinger
Flooding and Sandbags - Which to Choose
2/19/2020 (Permalink)
When the threat of a flood is close to your home, sandbags for flooding become as valuable as gold, yet they’re cheap. There have been advancements with sandbags, which is great, thanks to water-activated sandbag which mimic the ability of real sand bags. Yes, they cost more, but are much quicker to move and implement in the case of a flood so the cost is negligible.
Sandbags for flooding are essential tools if you live in an area prone to flooding. It is not advised to use other bags that are not intended for use as sandbags as they may not be as effective. Sandbags are constructed for the use of containing sand or soil to prevent or reduce the impact of water damage in the event of a flood. They are typically made with woven polypropylene or burlap sacks. Plastic garbage bags are slick and will not create a sturdy structure when stacked. Feed sacks, although made of similar materials to sandbags, are usually large and are also not practical for handling.
If your home or business has experienced a flood, please call the professionals of SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs right away – open 24 hours for emergency services and here to help!
Source: Chainshaw Journal. Jan 2020.
Storm Damage Prevention and Treatment
1/9/2020 (Permalink)
Storm damage prevention and treatment: reducing damage from storms with preventive action using trees.
Damage to trees from storms can be minimized by designing and implementing a tree management plan. Designing and executing a plan can help prevent problems. There is no doubt trees can cause damage and be damaged in storms. However, appropriately placed and well-maintained trees can help to reduce storm damage to structures by deflecting wind, as well as reduce damage to the tree itself. Appropriate actions include: proper placement and planting, structural pruning prior to the storm, and proper species selection. Actions in the weeks and years following a strong storm can help bring damaged trees back to health.
If your home or business is affected by a storm, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs. To learn more about storm damage restoration with SERVPRO of Helotes / Leon Springs, click here.
Things to Do to be Prepared for a Hurricane
8/1/2019 (Permalink)
Things to Do to Be Prepared in the Event Your Home is Affected by a Hurricane
Take inventory. The last thing you want to be doing after you’ve been affected by a hurricane is to try to remember everything you had in the house. Having an inventory will make the process of getting through the claim and getting back to normal so much easier. Keep the inventory list in a safe place away from your home like a safe deposit box or email the list to yourself and your spouse.
Update your insurance. Make sure you have the right amount of insurance, and fill in a few key gaps in coverage. Call your Insurance Agent for more information.
SERVPRO® of Helotes / Leon Springs will work with your insurance and try to make things go as smoothly as we can for you. Faster to Any Disaster
Source: Kiplinger online
One Year After Hurricane Harvey
8/2/2018 (Permalink)
One Year After Hurricane Harvey
August 25th marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, the category 4 hurricane that deeply affected the great state of Texas one year ago. Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain in parts of the Houston area, flooding thousands of homes and killing more than 80 people. The devastation was swift, and the recovery is far from over. SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs was proud to come to the aid of the people whose homes were damaged by the hurricane. The water damage was catastrophic. The professionals at SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs worked especially hard during that hurricane and will always be here for you during any Texas storm...faster to any disaster to help you through any type home flood.
Hurricane Harvey Clean-Up and Restoration SERVPRO Report
2/21/2018 (Permalink)
Overview
Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Major Hurricane at Category 4 strength on Friday, August 25 causing widespread devastating flooding and wind destruction along the Texas and Louisiana coast. After making landfall, the storm’s track continued through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, causing heavy rains and additional flooding situations.
Flooding
Unprecedented flooding occurred across Houston, Beaumont and Port Arthur in Texas. Rainfall totals exceeded 50 inches in Houston.
Response Update
SERVPRO mobilized and deployed Disaster Recovery Teams to the most heavily impacted areas of Texas and Louisiana. Over 400 fully-equipped storm crews were deployed and additional crews were being added daily.
During disasters of this magnitude, SERVPRO appreciated residents and business owners while we made every effort to respond to each need as quickly as possible.
SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs Comes to the Aid of Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
1/15/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs Comes to the Aid of Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
Fortunately, the Helotes and Leon Springs area received only a handful of inches of rain due to Hurricane Harvey.
Unfortunately, Corpus Christi was hit hard by Harvey's strong winds and high rain totals. Immediately, Austin Tonroy, owner of SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs responded to the owners of the homes in Corpus Christi. Windows were shattered, roofs were torn off, and water had flooded in from every direction in some cases. Our SERVPRO team was able to bring in generators to power the: pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers that helped us to remove the water and dry the homes. As in most cases with water damage, many homes were in need of mold prevention applications as well. There were many, many long work days and meals on the go.
In the end, we at SERVPRO® of Helotes and Leon Springs, were immensely proud to have helped our fellow Texans during one of their most desperate times of need.
If you are ever found in the same situation with terrible storm damage, please know we are Faster to Any Disaster and are always happy to help.
Storm and Flood Maps Available Through FEMA
1/15/2018 (Permalink)
Storm and Flood Maps Available Through FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) partners with Tribal nations, States, and communities through the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program to identify flood hazards, assess flood risks, and provide accurate data to guide stakeholders in taking effective mitigation actions that result in safer and more resilient communities. This data is incorporated into flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), that support the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and provide the basis for community floodplain management regulations and flood insurance requirements. Flood hazards are dynamic and can change frequently because of a variety of factors, including weather patterns, erosion, and new development. FEMA, through the Risk MAP program, works with communities to collect new or updated flood hazard data and periodically updates flood maps to reflect these changes.
The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Use the MSC to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products, and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk.
FEMA flood maps are continually updated through a variety of processes. Effective information that you download or print from this site may change or become superseded by new maps over time. For additional information, please see the Flood Hazard Mapping Updates Overview Fact Sheet
Source: https://www.fema.gov/
San Antonio Businesses Affected by Memorial Day Storms
7/26/2017 (Permalink)
An office affected by Memorial Day storms. There was glass to clean up and water damage to mitigate.
SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs was called out to this commercial building located in San Antonio, Texas when a terrible storm blew in over Memorial Day Weekend. The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. So strong, in fact, that it managed to blow in a window, sending shards of glass throughout this lawyer's office causing damage to a couple pieces of furniture that were in the room. Not only did this office experience damage due to the glass breaking, but the rain caused an extensive amount of water damage too. Since the storm hit over a holiday weekend, it went unnoticed until Tuesday morning. By the time SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs was called, the water damage had spread throughout the entire fifth-floor office, as well as dripped to several floors below it. There was a lot to clean up, but no job is too big for our awesome team of technicians who made this disaster "Like it never even happened."
If you experience any type of storm damage, call SERVPRO of Helotes & Leon Springs at (210) 973-7636. No job is too big or too small! We have been proudly serving San Antonio & the Texas Hill Country for almost 15 years.
Preparing For Disaster: Floods
2/2/2017 (Permalink)
An intersection in Boerne, Texas under water during a storm in May 2015.
Natural disasters can strike at any moment, but you can be prepared when they do happen. Being familiar with what natural disasters affect the San Antonio area is the first step in getting prepared. It is then important to know what to expect and what to do if a situation arises. Planning can be the difference between a bad situation and a catastrophic one. You should also inform your family or co-workers on what to do if a disaster were to happen in your home or commercial building. When disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed.
Over the past couple years, flooding has been a major problem in and around San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. Storms can roll through bringing torrential rain. The large amount of rain is not absorbed by the ground quick enough, so the water will run off and accumulate in low-lying areas. Water will also run into creeks, rivers, and ponds causing the water level to rise. Both bodies of water and low-lying areas can quickly accumulate water and the water can rise very fast.
If the forecast is calling for heavy rain, it is a good idea to stay up-to-date on the threat level. A flood or flash flood warning means that flooding is possible and you should be prepared to possibly carry out your emergency plan. A flood or flash flood watch means that flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If your San Antonio home or business is prone to flooding, you will be told to evacuate the area.
When planning for an emergency, the first step is getting basic supplies together. Some of these items include water, canned food, first aid supplies, and batteries for radios and flashlights. These items should be kept together in a separate area from where they would usually be stored, and everyone in your home or office should know where it is located in the event that an emergency were to occur. It is also a good idea to keep important documents – birth certificates, medical records, insurance cards - in this box/area. If a flood warning is issued, fill your gas tank and move your emergency items into your car. If you do not own a car, make arrangements with family, friends, or neighbors for transportation. Gather family and pets, if possible. If your pets will not fit in a car with you, or if you own livestock and are unable take them, find a safe area to move them to. You should also adjust refrigerator thermostats to the coolest possible temperature in case the power goes out.
If you are told that you need to evacuate, you should leave as soon as possible; never ignore this order! It is advised to turn off your water, electricity, and gas and to unplug appliances, if you have time, to reduce the possibility of additional damage. Those of us who have grown up in the area, have heard the saying a thousand times – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”. Don’t ever attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. You cannot be sure of how deep the water actually is, nor can you properly gauge the strength of the moving water.
Flooding is common in our area and being prepared is essential to avoid making a bad situation worse than it needs to be. If your home or business experiences flood or water damage, SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs will be there to make it “Like It Never Even Happened”. Call us at (210) 973-7636
Preparing For Disaster: Emergency Supply Kit
2/2/2017 (Permalink)
Being prepared for an emergency is essential to surviving a disaster
It is important to have basic emergency kit supplies gathered in the event of a disaster. These items should be kept separate from where you normally store them in your San Antonio home. The last thing you need in an emergency is to find out that your child used your emergency batteries to replace the dead ones in their video game controller a month ago. If you keep them separated, you will reduce the likelihood of something like this happening. While you can’t plan when a disaster happens, you can plan for a disaster. The following items are recommended to have in your emergency kit:
- Water – You should have one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. This water will be used for not only drinking, but also sanitation (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc). If you have pets, you should have water on hand for them as well.
- Food – You should have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. These items can include canned fruits and vegetables, soups, crackers, nuts and seeds, and canned tuna. Don’t forget to put a can opener in your emergency kit. Again, if you have pets, you should also pack away at least three days worth of pet food for them.
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a weather radio with a tone alert. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand for both, if they require batteries.
- Flashlights and extra batteries for them. Not everyone will need one, necessarily, but it is a good idea to have more than just one on hand.
- First aid kit – alcohol wipes, band aids, gauze, bandage tape, disposable latex gloves, thermometer, tweezers, saline solution, aspirin, just to name a few. You can purchase pre-made first aid kits or make your own with extra supplies sitting around your home. If making your own, put them in a separate bag to prevent them from getting lost amongst your other emergency kit items and to help keep them as sterile as possible.
- A Whistle, to signal for help. Again, while you don’t need one for each person, necessarily, it might be a good idea in the event that you and your family members get separated.
- Dust masks – These will help filter the air in case it becomes contaminated. Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off an area in your home is also suggested.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off your utilities with
- Cell phones with chargers, inverter or solar charger. No need to purchase an emergency cell phone; you can use the one you use everyday. But keep in mind that cell phones should be used for emergency reasons only during a disaster. This would not be the time to drain your cell phone battery playing games or scrolling through Facebook.
A couple additional emergency supplies you might want to consider keeping on hand:
- Prescription medications
- Eyeglasses and/or an extra set of contacts
- Important documents such as identification, birth certificates, bank account records, and copies of insurance policies. These should be kept in a waterproof, portable container.
- Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper. Bleach can used to treat water and it can also be used as a disinfectant. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Bleach as a disinfected: nine parts water to one part bleach
- Bleach to treat water: 16 drops of bleach per gallon of waterSleeping bag or warm blankets for each person. If it going to be cold, you might want to consider having extras on hand.
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Personal hygiene items
- Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic eating utensils. If you are packing mess kits, be sure to also pack a small bottle of dishwashing liquid soap and a sponge.
- Paper and pencils
- Activities to keep you and your family occupied, such as books, games, puzzles, and coloring books
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes. Clothing should include at least a long sleeved shirt and long pants. Extra, thicker clothing may be required if cold weather is in the forecast.
SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs is Faster to Any Size Flood Disaster
10/31/2016 (Permalink)
When the flood waters rise...so do we.
Before the Flood:
Tips from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) for Preparing Your Home or Business for a Flood.
- Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
- Disconnect electrical appliances.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
- Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.
During the Flood:
- Listen for news reports to learn if the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
- Avoid flood waters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged.
- Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
After the Flood:
Flooding is still possible. Listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.
Know the terms:
Flood Watch:
Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.
Flash Flood Watch:
Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flood Warning:
A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
Bexar County Disaster Preparedness
10/31/2016 (Permalink)
In order to be fully prepared, you should have all pertinent and proper information in a written plan for easy retrieval. Some key questions to consider when creating a personal emergency preparedness plan include:
- Do you have an escape or evacuation route in place?
- Do you have a designated meeting place in case of separation?
- Does everyone have a list of contact information including family members out of state who can serve as a point of contact?
- Do you have a disaster supply kit with necessary supplies?
- Do you have a first aid kit that includes necessary prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and basic medical supplies?
- Do you have enough non-perishable food and bottle water?
- Do you have access to important family documents, including insurance policies, bank, credit card and loan information and family records such as birth certificates and social security cards?
- Do you have an inventory of valuable household goods?
A well-equipped disaster supply kit should include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Water- a large enough supply to provide each person with 1 gallon daily for drinking and sanitation.
- Food- enough to last 3-7 days. Food need to be non-perishable or canned food. You will also want to include a non-electric can opener, paper plates, and plastic utensils.
- Bedding including sheets, blankets, and pillows
- Clothing- remember it may be warm, however, you may be working and cleaning and may prefer pants or long sleeves to protect your skin. You will also need sturdy, closed-toe, non-slip shoes if available.
- First aid kit including antiseptics or sanitizers and bandages, over-the-counter and prescription medications.
- Extra flashlights and batteries. Oil lanterns also provide a good source of light, if available.
- Toiletries including toilet paper and hygiene items. Hand sanitizers are also good to have on hand.
- Battery-operated radio with extra batteries so you can listen to weather service announcements.
- Cash- you will want some cash and small bills on hand as banks may not be open.
- Emergency phone numbers and contact information including insurance agent, SERVPRO of Braun Station, and family contacts.
- Tools, tarps, plastic sheets, trash bags, duct tape, etc. to help make minor repairs.
- Important documents should be kept in a waterproof bag or plastic sealed container and should include insurance, medical and family records, birth certificates, social security cards, bank account information and a complete home inventory analysis.
- Gas- fill your car's tank ahead of time if time permits. You may also want to fill plastic gasoline-approved container with gas to store.
- Pet care items including food, leash and a carrier or cage.
Don't wait until it is too late; prepare now to help protect your family in an emergency or disaster situation.
Bexar County Storm Experts
10/7/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs are the experts you can trust with your storm damage remediation needs. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year for your commercial or residential storm remediation needs. Whether you have wind-driven rain damage to one room in your home or a full commercial building full of flood waters, SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs is here to help. We have the resources available by accessing the equipment and trained personnel of 1,700 franchises in the event of a catastrophe. We are a trusted leader in the water restoration industry and have the industry training needed to remediate the damage a storm can cause. We can be reached at (210) 973-7636 or on our website at Web Inquire Contact
When Storms or Floods hit San Antonio, SERVPRO is ready!
8/17/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Valley specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit San Antonio, we at SERVPRO of Helotes and Leon Springs can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today
24/7 Emergency Service
