You’ve seen the way blockbuster
movies present a windstorm (whether straight-line winds, tornado, or hurricane).
The lesson from Hollywood? If you don’t own an underground storage cellar,
you’re going to end up flying through the air and swallowed up by a big, dark
cloud. But forget the silver screen – Paul Davis of Daytona Beach has seen the
aftermath of real storms, right in our area. We’ve experienced the true-life
heartbreaking stories…and have proudly helped families restore their property
after they’ve thought there was no way to repair the damage. In the process of
helping property owners recover after a windstorm, we’ve also learned about
some other surprising lifesavers that can protect Floridians and your property
from a windstorm. Here are 9 tips we hope can help you.
1. Your Door
Wind pressure can rip your home
open at its weakest points. You may think the most likely points of damage are
the windows, but doors are also vulnerable. Doors manufactured before 1994
aren’t usually rated for pressure. Consider
replacing your exterior doors with newer models that are code approved for
both wind pressure and debris impact. Have
them installed to open outward rather than inward.
2. Wooden Furniture
A sturdy, solid piece of wooden
furniture can be your best friend during a tornado or hurricane. As part of your emergency preparedness
plan, think about which table, desk, or workbench you can easily move to the
safest part of your house such as the bathroom or closet (make sure the
furniture fits through the door). When you hide under this piece of furniture,
you will have an extra shield against falling debris – including heavy pieces
like roofing materials or tree branches.
3. Mulch
Gravel and rock are lovely
choices for landscaping. But they can easily become deadly projectiles in high
winds. They can break your windows and cause shrapnel-like damage to the human
body. If you live in an area that is prone to windstorms, use materials like wood mulch instead of gravel in your flower beds. Choose
to pave your driveway with concrete instead of pebbles.
4. Trimmed Hedges
Speaking of power lines, you can
decrease your risk of electric shock by making sure the city is doing its job. Anytime you see vegetation and trees
growing into the utility lines near your home, give the city a call to
report this unsafe condition. When they cut back vegetation, this reduces the
risk that you will step outside after a windstorm and find that downed power
lines are energizing the puddles of rainwater around your home.
5. Mask and Goggles
You will need added protection if
you absolutely must go outside to secure your belongings. Make sure you have dust masks on hand along with airtight goggles.
They can also be helpful when a tornado is on the way since high winds can
carry dust and other debris. Getting a splinter in your eye during a
weather-related emergency makes a bad situation worse!
6. Duct Tape (Duck Tape)
Don’t laugh! This adhesive really
is very useful during and after a windstorm. Securing windows with duct tape
does little to improve protection from broken glass (boarding up your windows
is ideal). But it can be helpful for other last minute safety adjustments since
this tape is strong and water proof. You could use it to help keep smaller
items in place should the roof blow off during a hurricane or tornado. For
example, you might tape extra
emergency-preparedness supplies and tools to the underside of heavy pieces of
furniture. Duct tape can also help prevent water leaks around windows and doors
from wind driven rain.
7. A Whistle
If you get trapped under debris
when structures collapse in a tornado or hurricane, blowing a whistle may save
your life. The sound will travel farther than your voice with far less effort.
A loud whistle can sometimes be heard through solid structures. A safety whistle will get the attention of
rescuers faster and save you from losing your voice from shouting.
8. Waterproof Heavy Duty Flashlight
You can use a bright flashlight
to signal rescuers in low light situations. Sound does not carry very well
during extreme windy events, especially upwind in a rainstorm. If you sustain
injuries that prevent you from speaking, flashing
a light can draw attention to you when you need help most (take a moment to
learn SOS in Morse code if you don’t know it already). Power may be out
immediately after a windstorm. A reliable emergency light source will help you
get around in the dark without injury. Keep in mind that a flashlight may
require backup batteries to ensure longer life.
9. Air Purifier
An air purifier that removes both particulates and chemicals may help
keep your family comfortable indoors during a severe-weather event (assuming
the power stays on). Since staying inside is your safest option in any
windstorm, you might as well still have access to fresh air!
10. NOAA Weather Radio
If you’re lucky enough to live
near the coast and own a boat, always carry an NOAA Weather Radio to warn you
of wind storms and unexpected waterspouts. Waterspouts are cousins to tornadoes
that form over the water – often during seemingly calm weather. They can be
dangerous to boaters and can even move inland, causing damage and injury. Boaters should be particularly vigilant in
the summer, when waterspouts are the most common. If you’re on the water, get
out of the way by going at a 90-degree angle from the motion of its path.
It may be tempting to draw in close, but a waterspout can overturn your boat or
send items flying through the air (and these can become deadly missiles!).