It’s been a wet start to 2023, and predictions of more wet and stormy weather are on the way. With school back in session and safety of paramount concern, The Gamache Team would like to offer some winter storm safety tips for the Tri-Valley neighborhoods.
Preparing Your Tri-Valley Home for Wet and Windy Weather
The Tri-Valley hasn’t experienced this kind of wet and windy weather for years, so we’d like to offer some tips to help you prepare your home.
In the event of a power outage, call your local utility company and stay safe preferably at home.
To prepare for a possible power outage, stock your home with fresh water and canned food, a can opener, flashlights, batteries, candles, and lighters.
Avoid opening the refrigerator often to keep food cold and fresh.
Sign up for emergency alerts at www.acalert.org and follow your city’s social media platforms.
Keep all medication in one place and make certain to have a backup plan for medication that needs to be refrigerated.
Use generators, if possible, and only use them outside.
Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Unplug all appliances in the event of a power surge.
Check all windows and doors for leaks and clean up all water spills to avoid damage to flooring. In the event of a water leak from the rain and wind, dry out walls and carpets with fans, tarp roofs, call your local roofer, and stay off of wet and slippery roofs and areas. Contact your insurance company immediately if you have damage to report.
Be Prepared in the Event of an Emergency Evacuation
Prepare an emergency bag in the event you have to evacuate. Include blankets, clothing, toiletries, medicine, snacks, water, band aids, phone chargers, and phone numbers for doctors, dentists, family members, schools, and emergency centers such as hospitals and fire departments. Keep your car filled with gas and your phones charged at all times.
Bring Pets Indoors
Pets who are not used to severe weather conditions can run away, get injured, or even die. Extreme weather conditions are tough on our pets; bring them inside and make sure they have warm bedding and ample food and fresh water.
Keep leashes and crates and an emergency bag for them in the event of an evacuation with food, bowls, medication, and bedding.
Special Preparations for Homes in Danger of Flooding
If your home is near a flood zone, you need to take extra precautions to avoid mud, water, and debris from flooding your home. Creeks that swell with rainwater overflow and seep into the soil.
When the soil gets saturated and can hold no more rainwater, the water runs freely and can flood your home. In order to protect your home from overflowing creeks or streams, prepare in advance by stacking sandbags where water might flood your home.
Most cities have sandbag locations to help you prepare for flooding. Research your city’s sandbag locations well in advance of the storm so you are prepared.
Driving Precautions in the Event of a Storm
If you must drive during a storm, make sure your car is well-maintained with tires inflated to proper capacity, windshield wipers efficient, brakes in working condition, and headlights and brake lights in working order.
Leave extra early to avoid speeding or hurrying.
Drive slowly, taking extra precautions in flooded neighborhoods or streets and around schools. Never drive through puddles as you don’t know how deep they are. In the event you hydroplane, try not to panic, pump the brakes, and steer into the skid not away from it.
Maintain a safe distance between cars in front of you and behind you.
Avoid all potholes to reduce the risk of damage to the car and flat tires.
Exchange Contact Information with Your Neighbors
It’s always a good idea to exchange contact information with your neighbors. In the event your neighbors are elderly or have young children, you may want to check on them before, during, or after a heavy rain or windstorm.
Keeping an eye out for each other and your homes helps calm fears and creates lasting relationships. Remember, we are all in this together.
Stay safe, warm, and well everyone!
