How to Prepare for a Severe Storm: Pro Survival Guide 2024

Severe storms can occur unexpectedly, causing widespread destruction and disruption. Being caught off guard by a powerful storm can pose a high risk to you and your family. That's why you should recognize the importance of storm preparation and take the required actions to protect your home and loved ones. In this article, we will outline every essential step you should take and offer practical tips on how to prepare for a severe storm.

Why Is Storm Preparation Important?

 Storm preparation is crucial because severe weather events can pose high risks to life and property. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and Weather Prediction Center (WPC) use risk categories to convey the severity and likelihood of severe storms and excessive rainfall, respectively.

The SPC categorizes severe thunderstorm risks from 1 (Marginal) to 5 (High), with each level indicating an increasing probability of severe weather occurring within 25 miles of a location. These categories help people understand the potential threat and take appropriate precautions.

• TSTM: A 10% or greater probability of thunderstorms occurring, represented by a light green color.
• MRGL (Marginal):Level 1 risk, indicated by dark green, signifying a minimal severe weather threat.
• SLGT (Slight):Level 2 risk, denoted by yellow, suggesting a slightly higher potential for severe weather.
• ENH (Enhanced):Level 3 risk, represented by orange, indicating an enhanced likelihood of severe weather.
• MDT (Moderate):Level 4 risk, shown in red, implying a moderate risk of severe weather.
• HIGH: Level 5 risk, depicted by magenta, representing the highest level of severe weather threat.

Preparing for a severe storm based on these risk categories is crucial for ensuring personal safety, protecting property, enabling effective emergency response, and maintaining business continuity in the face of severe weather events.

How to Prepare for a Severe Storm?

 Keeping the safety of yourself and your loved ones is the first thing to do during a severe storm. To be well-prepared, here are some essential steps to take:

Have a Plan

Developing a well-thought-out plan is the first step in preparing for severe weather. Discuss with your family what actions to take and where to go in case of an evacuation. Determine a safe meeting place and establish communication methods. Write down your plan and ensure everyone is familiar with it. Consider the exact needs of each family member, including pets, and make arrangements accordingly.

Secure the Exterior of Your Home

Before a storm hits, take measures to protect your home's exterior. Trim trees and remove all dead branches to prevent them from causing damage. Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and any loose items that strong winds could blow away. Install storm shutters and/or board up windows to reduce the risk of shattered glass. Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts to secure proper drainage and prevent water accumulation near your foundation.

Prepare Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready is essential to sustain you and your family during and after a severe storm. Your kit should include:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
• Non-perishable food (enough for at least three days)
• Manual can opener
• First-aid kit and prescription medications
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape
• Moist towelettes, eco/plastic garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Smartphone with chargers and a backup battery

Know Where to Go

Identify the safest location on your property, such as a basement and a windowless interior room on the ground floor (e.g., bathroom or closet). Stay close to the center of the building, as even exterior walls without windows are less safe than interior walls. If you live in a tornado-prone area, consider installing a storm shelter or safe room.

Communicate with Others

Proactively contact friends and family to let them know you're safe. Use a charged cell phone, satellite phone (if you live in an area with poor cell service), or social media to stay in touch. Keep a portable, battery-powered charger on hand for your phone.

Stay Put

Unless advised to evacuate, it's generally safer to remain at home during severe weather. Avoid driving through flooded roads, as even shallow moving water can sweep your vehicle away or cause you to lose control. Rushing water can also easily knock you off your feet if you attempt to walk through it.

Stay informed and Alert

Keep an eye on the sky and be aware of changing weather conditions. Know the signs of approaching storms, such as dark, low-lying clouds and distant thunder or lightning. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, as lightning will likely strike even when the storm seems far away. Stay tuned to local media or weather apps for updates and strictly follow any instructions provided by authorities.

Prepare for an Outage

Storms often cause power outages, so be ready. Unplug appliances and use surge protectors for valuable electronics. Turn off your propane tank and ensure you have a full gas tank for the generator and your vehicle. Adjust refrigerator and freezer settings to keep food cold longer.

Invest in a Solar Generator

A solar generator is an excellent addition to your emergency preparedness kit. Unlike traditional gas-powered generators, solar generators are eco-friendly, quiet, and do not produce harmful emissions. They can provide a reliable source of backup power during outages caused by severe storms.

If you are looking for a reliable solar generator system that can power your home during outages, check out the Anker SOLIX F3800 Solar Generator + 400W Solar Panel. This plug-and-play system offers a whopping 6,000W output, an expandable capacity of up to 26.9kWh, and can scale up to 12kW for extended power outages. With a 2,400W solar input, you can juice up from 0 to 80% in just 1.5 hours of sunlight.

You can also upgrade your solar generator system with the Anker SOLIX F3800 + Smart Home Power Kit + 2× 405W Rigid Solar Panel. This combination offers a comprehensive solution for your home backup needs. The Smart Home Power Kit seamlessly integrates with your existing setup, while the high-efficiency solar panels provide even faster charging capabilities. With the included NEMA 14-50 and L14-30 outlets, you can directly charge your EV and RV, making this system incredibly versatile for your various power needs.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our guide on how to prepare for a severe storm, remember that the effort you put into preparing for a severe storm can greatly mitigate the risks and damages associated with such natural events. With a well-thought, reliable plan, you can rest peacefully knowing that you’ve done everything to protect your home and family. Stay safe, stay prepared, and let the storm pass with you unscathed.

FAQ

What are the most critical items to include in a storm emergency kit?

The most critical items to include in a storm emergency kit are a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, power generators (better if solar), first-aid supplies, non-perishable food, bottled water, and essential medications.

How often should you update your emergency plan?

It is recommended to update your emergency plan at least once a year or whenever there are significant changes in your family situation, such as moving to a new location and/or welcoming a new family member.

What not to do in a severe thunderstorm?

During a severe thunderstorm, you should avoid taking shelter under tall, isolated trees, staying in open areas like fields or golf courses, using landline phones or electrical appliances, and driving through flooded roads.