Heavy winds from hurricanes, tornadoes or other storms can cause significant and costly damage to your home, business, or other property. The good news is that a few preventive steps can help you reduce your risk of wind-related damage.
Here are ten tips to help you reduce wind damage to your home and/or business.
Inspect your roof regularly.
Consider hiring a licensed roofing professional to evaluate the integrity of your roof and perform necessary repairs.
Maintain roof flashing and siding.
Wind can tear away loose shingles or worsen cracks in a building’s siding, making it possible for rain to seep in and cause water damage.
Secure rooftop equipment.
Strong winds can damage satellite dishes, lights, solar panels, and other items attached to your roof. Use anchored straps and cables to hold them in place.
Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
Rain often accompanies strong winds and can lead to water damage if your home or business’s drainage system is blocked.
Inspect trees on or near your property.
Heavy winds can uproot dead or dying trees, which can fall on your house or car. If you are worried about a large tree close to your home or business, call an arborist for pruning or removal (get permission from local authorities if required).
Remove debris around your property.
Strong winds can hurl loose objects like tools, boards, and toys at your property and result in broken windows and damaged walls.
Bring outdoor furniture indoors (if possible).
Have a secure place to store these items when you get a storm warning or consider using anchor straps or cables to tether them to a sturdy fence or building, so they can’t blow away.
Secure your home or business.
Close and lock the windows, and interior, loading dock, and garage doors to help prevent potential wind uplift.
Prepare your vehicle(s).
Park your car, truck, or other vehicle under cover, ideally in a garage, and away from trees.
Create an emergency plan.
Consider enabling emergency alerts on your cellphone to get the latest updates. Decide where you and your family or employees will go if ordered to evacuate. Create a disaster kit with food, water, and first aid supplies to last a few days.
We encourage you to practice proactive risk management. Taking time to prepare for windstorms can improve the odds of keeping your property safe when one occurs. Make these moves today and enjoy some added peace of mind knowing that you are more prepared for high winds that blow your way.
If you do experience a loss, you can start your claim online if after hours. During regular hours, you can call us at 864-288-9513 or email turner@turneragencyinc.com.
Choosing the right insurance agent is one of the most important decisions you will make. The Turner Agency, Inc. is a local Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Serving the Upstate of South Carolina and beyond since 1962, we offer a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs for your business, homes, automobiles, recreational vehicles, secondary homes, and more.
Information in this article includes contributions from Selective Insurance and is not all inclusive regarding the subject matter. This content is offered for educational purposes only.
