Preparing Your Georgia Home for Severe Weather Season: Prevention Tips

Don’t Let Mother Nature Catch You Off Guard: Essential Steps to Storm-Proof Your Georgia Home Before Severe Weather Strikes

Georgia’s unique geographical location makes it a hotspot for severe weather throughout the year. Peak tornado season occurs from March through May, while hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Georgia’s location exposes residents to severe weather at any time, with regional conditions that can include snow, ice, lightning, and tornadoes from the same storm event. With proper preparation, however, you can protect your home and family from the devastating impacts of severe weather.

Understanding Georgia’s Weather Threats

Hurricane Helene demonstrated that every part of Georgia is at risk, with 11.2 inches of rainfall in Atlanta and winds reaching 90-95 mph in South Georgia, damaging areas not typically considered high-risk. Severe weather, including tornadoes, can happen year-round in Georgia, with tornadoes common in fall and winter months despite the clear spring peak.

The most common severe weather threats to Georgia homes include:

Essential Home Preparation Steps

Secure Your Property’s Exterior

Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood sheets and secure outside objects such as lawn furniture and grills. Board up windows, secure outdoor items, close hurricane shutters, and be aware of nearby trees and structures that could impact your home. Bring in outdoor furniture and secure loose items to protect against potential wind and water damage.

Prepare Your Home’s Interior

In warm weather, turn your air conditioning down; in cold weather, turn your heat up. During and after storms, keep doors and windows closed to retain inside temperature for up to 48 hours. Charge your cell phone and other devices that need charging, and disconnect or turn off appliances that will start automatically when power is restored to avoid overloading circuits.

Create an Emergency Supply Kit

An Emergency Supply Kit should contain supplies to get you and your family through three days without electricity or running water. Assemble dry food, safe drinking water, medical supplies, blankets, flashlights, battery-operated radios, and fire extinguishers. Stock non-perishable food, water, medical supplies, flashlights, and batteries, and if you have children or pets, ensure you have their food and supplies.

Develop Your Family Emergency Plan

Develop a family communications plan since storms can occur when family members are in different places. Learn evacuation routes and prepare an evacuation plan. Know your evacuation routes and shelter options, inform friends, family, and neighbors of your plans, and heed local authorities’ advice to evacuate when necessary.

During tornado warnings, go to the most interior room of your home, put as many walls between you and the outside, and stay on the lowest level possible. When thunder roars, go indoors – if you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be in danger from lightning. The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

Protect Your Investment with Insurance Review

Review your insurance policies for protection against storm, wind, and flood damage. While standard homeowner’s insurance covers damage from high winds and tornadoes, it doesn’t cover flood damage. A separate policy must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. Consider purchasing flood insurance, as property insurance doesn’t typically cover flood damage, and remember the policy takes 30 days to go into effect.

Create a home inventory by taking photos or videos of your property, especially in flood-prone locations, and if possible, have electronic access to your inventory and insurance policy.

When Professional Help is Needed

Despite your best preparation efforts, severe weather can still cause significant damage to your home. When storms strike and cause damage to your property, it’s crucial to work with experienced professionals who understand the complexities of insurance claims and restoration work. For homeowners in the metro Atlanta area dealing with wind and hail damage, professional storm damage repair in Gwinnett County, GA services can make the difference between a smooth recovery and months of frustration.

Southern Signature Group, based in Suwanee, Georgia, has built a reputation as a trusted leader in restoration services throughout metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. The company specializes in water, fire, and storm damage restoration, working directly with insurance companies so homeowners don’t have to navigate complex claims, with the goal of restoring homes efficiently and getting families back to normal as soon as possible.

With over a decade of experience, Southern Signature Group has become a trusted name in metro Atlanta for homeowners facing unexpected damage, offering 24/7 emergency services, skilled technicians, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. The company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all restoration projects, ensuring that your home is restored to its pre-loss condition or better.

Post-Storm Safety and Recovery

If you incur storm damage, contact your insurer before beginning permanent repairs or signing repair contracts, and keep receipts while documenting all losses with photos. After storms pass, take steps to protect your property from further damage – for example, if your roof is leaking, cover it with a tarp, as most policies won’t cover after-storm rain damage.

Professional restoration companies offer 24/7 emergency services and aim to be onsite within hours, providing immediate mitigation to prevent further damage while you navigate the insurance process.

Stay Informed and Prepared

Monitor TV and radio stations, NOAA weather radio, weather-related websites and apps, and outdoor warning sirens for severe weather updates. Understanding the difference between watches and warnings is crucial: A watch indicates a risk of hazardous weather and you should have a plan in place, while a warning indicates the event is occurring, imminent, or likely, requiring immediate action.

Severe weather preparation isn’t just about having supplies ready – it’s about creating a comprehensive plan that protects your family and property while ensuring you can recover quickly when storms do cause damage. By taking these proactive steps and knowing when to call in professional help, you can weather any storm that comes your way.

Remember, it only takes one storm to make it an active season. Don’t wait until severe weather is in the forecast – start preparing your Georgia home today.