Preparing and Reacting During a Hailstorm
(Updated 2021)
Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can produce sudden, intense hailstorms along with their powerful winds. Although hailstorms are often a short-lived weather phenomenon, they can be incredibly dangerous and destructive. The ice pellets that fall during a hailstorm can sometimes be as large as tennis balls, presenting a severe threat to personal safety and property.
Homes, cars, and businesses exposed to a hailstorm can incur extensive damage. US residents paid over $3.1 billion in hail damage claims in the last year alone.
The most severe hailstorms tend to occur in areas prone to tornadoes and thunderstorms due to atmospheric instability. So, if you live in a place where these weather patterns occur, it’s essential to understand how to prepare for the possibility of a hailstorm.
Here are some ways you can take action before, during, and after a hailstorm.
How to Prepare for a Hailstorm Before it Strikes
If hail is a common occurrence in your area, there are certain precautions you can take to prepare your property – such as the following:
Install Impact-Resistant Roof Covers on Your Home
One way to help minimize the amount of damage to your roof is by installing impact-resistant roof coverings.
Impact-resistant roof coverings can deflect large chunks of hail that fall from the sky. One way you can do this is by Installing impact-resistant roof covers. This minimizes the chances of expensive structural damage occurring to your home during a storm.
Board Your Windows Before a Severe Storm
Windows can be dangerous during a windy hailstorm as the ice pellets move fast and shatter through the glass. However, boarding up your windows with plywood or another similar material can reduce the chances of injury and damages to the interior of your home.
Pro Tip: If you live in an area where hailstorms are common, consider storing plywood in your home for when you need to board up your windows.
Protect Your Car from Hail Damage
Whenever a severe storm is in the forecast, it’s a good idea to find a safe place to park your vehicle. You can do this by parking your car in a garage or covered parking structure to avoid exposure to the ice pellets.
If you can’t park your car in a covered area, the next best option is to park it in a place far from trees or other structures that may topple during a hailstorm.
What to Do During a Hailstorm
As the skies darken and hail begins to fall, you and your family need to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
One of the most important things you can do during a hailstorm is to stay inside your home. You may also want to consider sheltering in a room lined with interior walls rather than windows – such as a closet. This will protect you and your family from getting hit by ice pellets, glass, or other forms of debris.
If you are driving a vehicle when a hailstorm hits, it’s important to pull away from any trees or power lines. As mentioned, wind and hail can damage trees and power lines, causing them to fall over.
Alternatively, if you can get beneath an overpass or parking garage, do so. While you do not want to stay there if a tornado is imminent, temporarily finding shelter can prevent your vehicle from sustaining damage.
Recovery Process Following a Hailstorm
If a severe hailstorm damages your home, it’s essential to stay clear of the property, call a local restoration company, and let them know your situation. A restoration company will assess the damage to your home and begin the process of repairing it.
It’s important to make this call quickly because materials like carpets and drywall may suffer water damage and be susceptible to mold growth the longer you wait. The restoration process typically involves extracting water from the affected areas of your home and can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete.
The restoration company will do its best to expedite the process as much as possible, but they need your cooperation at this time. This means staying away from your home until they permit you to reenter it – and complying with any other instructions they provide you.
Additionally, you should always check on your insurance coverage and understand the loss recovery process before the fact. Make sure your insurance policy covers damage resulting from hail and be prepared to get a quick tally of the costs of damages.
Rapid Restoration Can Handle Your Hail Restoration Needs
When a hailstorm or tornado damages your property, Rapid Restoration is ready to help. We are committed to restoring your property to its pre-storm condition so you can get back to enjoying it again fast. Using industry-leading tools and techniques, we make it a priority to get the job done right.
Please contact us online or give us a call at 612-239-7411 if you have any questions!
