Severe Weather Safety

4/9/2022 (Permalink)

The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work

Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms*:

• 10,000 severe thunderstorms
• 5,000 floods or flash floods
• 1,300 tornadoes
• 2 land-falling deadly hurricanes

Approximately 98 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather-related, leading to around 650 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage.* Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action, and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

Know Your Risk.

The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business, and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms, and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action.

Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Be an Example.

Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same.

Contact SERVPRO® of Durant for more readiness tips and tools, including SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile® (ERP). Having an ERP in place for your facility can help minimize business interruption in the event of a disaster.

SERVPRO® of Durant can help you be “Ready for whatever happens!”

*Facts and figures provided by noaa.gov

**Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 29, Iss 3

Storms or Floods on the way to Paris? SERVPRO is ready!

2/19/2022 (Permalink)

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Oklahoma

SERVPRO of Durant 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 Oklahoma, we 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 (580) 740-4848

Tornado Damage and Your Home

11/20/2021 (Permalink)

Tree uprooted by a tornado

Tornadoes are a terrifying, often devastating, weather event.

They can turn houses into dust, and flip lives upside down. Living through a tornado can be traumatizing, and sometimes the aftermath is just as bad. Parts of your home may be destroyed, and the idea of fixing it can be overwhelming. Recovering from a tornado could be a huge task, depending on how bad the damage was. However, there are steps to take toward recovery and people ready to help along the way. There are steps that should be taken right after the storm passes, and other steps to take down the road when it is time for repairs and cleaning.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

The first step is to stay in your safe place until the storm has completely passed. If you are able, try and wait until you get the all clear from local officials. After the storm, check yourself and those with you for any injuries. If someone is hurt, the next step is seeking out first aid. After everyone has been checked and is okay, you should see how bad the damage to your house is. Make sure to watch out for anything that is unstable and likely to fall. If you go outside, look out for any downed power lines. They can be life threatening, so if you see downed power lines stay inside.

Protect Your Property

After you make sure yourself and your loved ones are protected, start protecting your property. You can make temporary repairs in order to prevent further damage. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost, so make sure to keep receipts just in case. In addition to temporary repairs, living expenses may also be reimbursable. If your house is damaged to the point of you having to stay in a hotel, keep the receipts. Your policy may pay you back for the cost of it. Make sure to make a list of anything that was damaged, and don’t throw out damaged belongings. An adjuster will need to assess them for value if your policy covers replacing them. You should also inspect all utility lines and appliances. Any damage could lead to a gas leak or electric shortage. Damaged electric wires may also cause a fire. You may even have to turn off the main valve in order to prevent more harm to your house. Once these steps have been taken, contact your insurance company. From there, they can work with you to see what your policy covers. Most of the time, they will hire services to come out and repair damages.

Clean Up and Repair

SERVPRO of Durant has an incredibly fast response time when it comes to disasters. We have equipment and personnel ranging across 1,700 franchises. Our experience and training will allow us to restore your property quickly and efficiently. In addition, we will document the entire process.

The Need for an Emergency Plan

11/13/2021 (Permalink)

Make sure you and your loved ones have a PLAN!

In recent years, many different types of disasters have affected the United States. 

Flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and blizzards are natural disasters that can threaten your home, business and community. Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals want you and your customers to be aware of the steps to take to help prepare for Mother Nature's worst.  

Right now is the perfect opportunity to review your emergency plan. Emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people just like you. Tornado outbreaks, river floods, flash floods, historic earthquakes, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time.  

The more you know about what to do in an emergency, the more confident and secure you will feel in your abilities to manage through a disaster. Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but now, you can plan for it. Contact your local SERVPRO of Durant for more information and tools to help you be "Ready for whatever happens."  

Flood Facts

10/23/2021 (Permalink)

Stay away from floodwaters - Turn around don't drown

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

- If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of Durant at (580) 740-4848.  Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order. 

If a Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Ready?

10/16/2021 (Permalink)

Sign up for local alerts and warnings

It is important to prepare before a storm or disaster occurs.  Consider the following steps to better prepare for an emergency situation:

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts.
• Develop and test emergency communication plans with your family.
• Assemble or update your emergency supplies.
• Learn about local hazards in our  city, and conduct drills to practice emergency response actions.
• Participate in a preparedness discussion, training, or class.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents.
• Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.
• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.
• Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage.

Emergencies and storms can happen anytime to anyone.  Taking action now helps to protect not only yourself, but also your property.