---What To Do If You Are Expecting Severe Weather In Your Town

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Severe weather events, from floods to storms, can occur at any time - and we aren’t always given too much warning in advance. What's more, a recent study has found that “the number of disasters has increased by a factor of five over the 50-year period, driven by climate change, more extreme weather, and improved reporting.” 

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As a result, it's important to know ahead of time what is expected of you in this situation, so that you’re able to keep yourself, others, and your property safe. With that in mind, here are some preventive measures you can take today so that you’re prepared should severe weather hit your town.

Ensure that you have home insurance. There are various reasons why you should already have home insurance in place, namely due to the fact that it can protect you financially in a variety of different scenarios, including extreme weather conditions. This way, you will not be expected to pay out of pocket for any necessary repairs that must be carried out. This helps you remain safely within your monthly budget.

Invest in emergency food storage. Extreme weather conditions can often bring down power lines, resulting in extended power cuts. This could mean that while staying indoors during storms or similar conditions, you may not have access to electricity for long periods of time. This could make it difficult to cook or prepare food, and could lead to anything that is refrigerated or frozen getting spoiled. Whatsmore, supermarkets and grocery stores will remain closed during this time. As a result, you should invest in bulk freeze dried foods that you can store in your home ahead of time, ensuring you always have access to nutritious food when you need it.

Stay calm. When dealing with the unexpected, it can be difficult to remain calm and collected. However, this is essential during severe weather conditions, as allowing stress to take hold could impact your rational decision-making abilities. For example, you may feel as though you want to leave your home in favor of another ‘safer’ location when often the government advice encourages you to stay exactly where you are or seek shelter nearby.

Stay connected. While phone lines may get particularly busy during a storm, as people will be reaching out to emergency services or friends and family, it's important that you always have access to a phone. This will help you keep up to date with government guidance and advice. As a result, you should try to conserve power as much as possible, and have a power bank or portable phone charger to hand (in case of power cuts). You may also want to write down important numbers ahead of time, such as the details of local medical centers, friends, family, or weather response teams.

Bring outdoor furniture indoors. During volatile weather, any outdoor furniture, from chairs to trampolines can become displaced - and when carried by the wind, can cause extensive damage to your property and even leave others vulnerable to injury. As such, you should bring outdoor furniture inside during a storm. If this is not possible, try to use ropes and chords to secure the furniture ahead of time.

Keep on top of your home maintenance. Well-maintained homes often fare better during extreme weather conditions, as they are not already vulnerable to damage. For example, if your roof is missing a few tiles, it’ll be somewhat easier for others to get dislodged during high winds, causing further damage to your property.  As a result, you should aim to carry out regular property maintenance ahead of time. Remember, while you will occasionally have to reach out to maintenance professionals, there are plenty of household problems you can solve yourself.