A Storm's Aftermath

There was a loud interrupting noise that didn’t quite fit the theme of my good dream. Rustling myself awake, I heard the tornado sirens blaring. Blaring is what you want in tornado sirens, by the way, since a tornado itself is louder than you can imagine.

Cell phone – check. Compliant cat – check. Following close dog – check. Escape artist cat last – check. Into the prepared shelter we go to wait out the storm. The night before an anticipated storm, I lay out what I need to wear in case the storm is severe, in the shelter. Time to get dressed.

Having experienced storms, some resulting in extended power outages and having volunteered at Serve Moore cleanup hearing their stories, here are a few tips if a storm causes damage at your home or business:

1. Assess your damage vs. your deductible. If it appears that your loss is less than the home owners deductible, do not call the insurance company. If you may have had roof damage, not obvious damage, call a trusted roofer first to determine if there is damage. If you call the insurance company and there is or is not a claim, your rates can/will be raised. I was abrasively confronted with this fact last year.

From one of the many North Texas storms

2. If you have damage, let your friends and family know. When we lost trees, I posted on Facebook. The next thing I knew, John & Asher were there with chain saws to help me clean up. We rally. There is no suffering in silence necessary after a storm. We can share resources: tree guys, roofers, contractors, etc. And actually hands and feet to help clean up.

3. Beware of roofer trolls targeting your neighborhood. They crawl out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need. I am sure some are honest and qualified but do your research before signing up. Get their information and check the Better Business Bureau. Google™ for reviews. Ask for references. Never ever sign an agreement before doing your research. If you decide to go with them, do not give money up front.  If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. After a storm, you will be inundated with phone calls and door knockers. Be firm.

4. Alert the power company of your outage, even if you know your neighbors have called. It is how they schedule. You only need to call once. Do not clog the lines by calling them more than once. Restoring power can take days. The longest we were out of power was a week, when I still had both my parents here to care for. Dad was on portable oxygen tanks, for which we went through fairly quickly but was grateful the company delivered to replenish.

5. Unplug all your electronics. Power surges when it is restored. If you do not have adequate joules on your power strips, then you could damage your electronics. Computers, televisions, everything. Turn off your lights too but leave one lamp on so you will know when the power comes back on.

6. If your car is in the garage and the power is out, you need to know how to do the manual release of your garage door opener. By the way, if you need gas, realize your local on the corner gas stations are operated electronically and probably do not have power either. This is also true if you need gas for your chain saw. And do not turn the car on with the door closed to charge your cell phone. If you get carbon monoxide poisoning, you won’t need your cell phone.

7. Refrigerator. If you lost electricity, keep the doors shut. If you have kids, this doesn’t work. Your alternative? Put everything spoil-able from the refrigerator part to the freezer. Get a small thermometer and place it in the freezer. If it is colder than 40°, then it is good to refreeze. If not, you must throw it away. It is not worth the risk of getting sick. If a large population area is out of power, you may be out of power for a while. My biggest cost of one storm was losing freezer food – almost $1000. There is no need to lose freezer food. If you have friends in the area with power, see if they have space available in their freezer. If they do not, they will know someone who does. Cook the food and share. Of course, that only works if you have a gas stove top. One neighborhood cooked all their food on a grill and invited the neighborhood to come eat. It made me sick to throw away all the food.

8. Prepare for the worst and be happy when it comes back on. Waiting to get batteries for the evening lamps until they are sold out at the store is not a good idea. I prefer to use flashlights or battery operated camping lamps vs. candles. I have animals and candles are not a good idea. Candles are fire and can cause much bigger fires.

9. If the storm is bad, texting most always works when phone calls may not get through. Make sure your family and friends know you are safe, and where you are sheltered.

10. If it is a hot day, stay at a friend’s house that night. The hotels will most likely be full. If you have friends in the area, let them know you are open for options.

11. Now is a good time to read a book or go to a movie. In the midst of storm stress, take a break. It can be overwhelming and likely something you may never forget.

Just as in most crisis’, planning ahead can help in the midst. It is spring. Severe spring storms in North Central Texas, and many other parts of the country, have become the new norm. It is only March, with plenty more storms ahead. I still think it is ironic that the tornado that went through me and my hotel room was in downtown Atlanta, GA, not Texas. Plan ahead and if you need resources, reach out.

Most of all, stay safe!

 [Since it’s only March, and the Dallas Fort Worth area has been hit hard twice now this week with storms, I preempted the previously scheduled blog posting to provide needed information.]

Spring Storms

What Scares You More:

    Spring Storms or Spring Cleaning? 

The ceiling where I had been lying just moments before the tornado hit.

 

It's that time of year again.  Spring, aka Storm Season.

 

Regardless of what part of the country you live in, you only need to listen to the Weather Channel to hear the anticipated potential of our spring storms this year.  It has been nine years this month since the Atlanta tornado that affected the2008 Hinman Dental Meeting.  That tornado went through me and my hotel room, causing havoc on both.  The result is I am more prepared when traveling and at home. 

 

Storms come in all sizes and intensity.  In Texas, we sometimes have several days notice of possible severe storms.  In other words, "pay attention because it could be bad." 

 

Then, sometimes, there is no warning, like the Atlanta tornado.

 

Regardless of the intensity of the storm, we need to be prepared.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!  I've heard this phrase a hundred times.   

 

We must think through the worst case scenarios - it's what gives us the things to do, the checklists.   Think ahead.  Things do happen when we least expect them. 

 

Here are a few areas to consider:

 

Emergency plan.  Where do you go?  This is the most important question in a crisis.  Personal safety.  Where is the safest part of any building you regularly frequent?  If there is a pending storm, how is the building laid out?   Where are the exits?  This is similar to knowing the exit row when flying.  You never expect anything to happen but just in case... 

 

Find an interior reinforced room with no windows to be your designated shelter area.  Basement?   In the little space under the stairs?  An interior bathroom?   In the bathtub?   It needs to be the structural strong part of the facility.

 

Stock this room with bottled water, batteries, flashlights, blankets/towels, first aid kit, extra cell phone chargers, etc.?  I even keep an extra pair of tennis shoes tucked away in my shelter.  Also have towels or blankets in the shelter to cover you.  Flying debris causes most tornado injuries and deaths.

 

This may be nothing more than a backpack with a few necessary survival items.  When a crisis hits is not the time to gather what you might need.  Keep them in the designated shelter room.  Because, when the storm hits, safety is first.

 

Where are all your legal papers?  Where is your will?  I don't mean to be so direct, but if you died in the storm, you would be unable to tell anyone where all these things are located!  I suggest a bank safe deposit box.  It would have to be the worst storm in history to tear up one of those vaults.  Put all your legal papers in the box, not in your home.  Important documents could blow several miles away, never to be recovered.

 

Part of the ceiling was flung across the room and the windows exploded.

Do you have adequate insurance for the worst case scenario?   If you are not sure, ask your agent.  That's what they are there for and they have an idea on replacement costs.   I recently changed insurance providers and the agent spent almost two hours with me, reviewing my prior insurance company policy and upgrading to current coverage and replacement costs. 

 

Do you have an inventory of your possessions - for both the house and the practice?  This is most often used in valuing how much insurance you need and can be helpful in case of damage.

 

If it has been five years since you have evaluated your insurance, the replacement costs have increased during that time.  So it's logical the value of coverage also needs to increase.  AFTER the storm is not the time to determine you did not have enough coverage.  A review with your agent now may save you thousands of dollars in crisis later.

 

Computer Backups.  If you've ever read an article, read a book, or heard me speak, you know that I believe in off-site backups.  I use online backup services, Mozy.com and Carbonite.com.  I have them set to back up 6 times a day, whether I am using the programs or not.  Peace of mind.  

 

My computers and house can blow up, but my data is secured off-site, far away, accessible to be downloaded. 

 

Make sure that all your data files are being backed up.  Actual software programs can be replaced or reinstalled.  But the data cannot be unless you have it backed up.  If you download your email to the computer, for instance to Outlook, be sure to include your email folders in the backup as well. 

Never assume all your files are being backed up.   Always verify. 

 

Many have IT support that cares for the practice’s  or business’ computers.  Do NOT assume that all you “believe” is being backed up actually is being backed up.  Always verify.

 

 Know your financial situation.  How much money do you have on hand?  Do you have some cash hidden away somewhere?  What is your bank balance?  Where are your credit cards?  Where is your checkbook?  Does your spouse know all these answers? 

 

Do you have a list of your credit card numbers?  Put this with your legal papers in the vault.  Do you have a list of passwords?  This too should go in the vault.

 

When I lived in Southern CA, it was during a period of time that we had numerous earthquakes.  Ok, CA typically has numerous earthquakes but during that time, even the TV stations talked about earthquake preparedness kits - water, tennis shoes, cash, etc.  During power outages, grocery stores take cash only.

 

As well, have an accessible emergency cash fund.  Determine an amount that would suffice in case of an emergency - six months salary, for instance.  Set it aside in an online savings account.  If need be, have funds automatically withdrawn from your bank account monthly to the emergency fund until it reaches your determined amount.  Then, let it stay there - for emergency only. 

 

Unplug.   Electrical surges during and after a storm are common and frequent.

If you have a heads up there is a storm coming, unplug all your electrical equipment.  If you have a TV you are using in your storm shelter/emergency area, make sure you have the TV plugged into a surge protection strip that provides protection of at least up to 900 joules.  The higher the joules, the greater the protection.

 

After a storm, if you have power, wait a while before turning on any equipment.  Electrical surges and fluctuations occur after the storm for a while as the power stabilizes in the area.  Your greatest equipment protection is to unplug!

 

Create your checklist - both for the practice & personal.  Include contact phone numbers (home, work & cell), power company, phone company, other utilities.  Then PRINT the list and place it inside a protective plastic sheet cover.  Put one copy taped to the inside of a closet door or your emergency shelter.  Make sure everyone knows where the lists are located for easy access.

 

What if a storm/tornado is imminent, fast approaching?   For a business, if you have time, secure the checks and cash in a locked drawer, safe or closet.  Unplug all electrical, except refrigerators and freezers.  Turn them up to the coldest setting then leave the doors shut.  

 

If you are a professional healthcare practice, turn off any gases or oxygen and secure any hazardous material. The business owner is the last one to take shelter in the safe place.  Go now means go now.   Someone will always think of something they should do.  If it was not discussed prior as part of the emergency plan, then during the emergency is not the time to do it.   Check the parking lot and do a head count for both patients/customers and employees. 

 

The room to the left of the shredded curtains was mine.

Then shut and lock the door.  Remain calm and wait for the storm to pass.

 

 

Summary.

Storms themselves are out of our control.  How we are prepared for what comes our way is within our control.   We never expect storms to really hit our area but it has been too close to me too many times.   And, everyone who knows me, knows that remaining calm is difficult at best.  Something about being at the top of a hotel as a tornado barrels through you and that room at 139mph.  

Here is a NBC5 news report from nine years ago.

 

But being prepared does ease my nerves... a little.

Next week, Spring Cleaning..... also not a favorite topic.....