Doug Lefeber April 10, 2020 4 min read

Preparing for Severe Weather Events: What to do Before, During, and After

Spring weather is unpredictable and with that comes the possibility of severe weather. Being prepared for weather events is not difficult, but it does require some thought in advance and timely preparation. Now that most of us are confined to our homes, the timing is right to improve our preparedness.

Here is what you should be doing before, during, and after a storm, along with some helpful resources.

Before

Storm damage Broken tree in woods, springtime in northern Illinois
  • Know what you’re going to do: make sure all family members know the plan, and assemble an emergency kit. Don’t forget about planning for your pets!
  • Get rid of dead and rotting trees that could fall and injure someone or cause property damage.
  • Secure outdoor objects, doors, and close the blinds, shades, or curtains.
  • Make sure cell phones are charged up.
  • Unplug electronic equipment and appliances.
  • Keep your garage clean enough so you can fit your vehicles inside.

During

sizeofthunde

  • Use a battery powered weather radio.
  • Avoid contact with corded phones and devices. Cell phones that are not plugged in for recharging are fine.
  • Avoid contact with plumbing. Don’t get in the shower, do dishes or laundry during this time.
  • Avoid contact with anything metal including motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, bicycles, and tractors.
  • If you’re in a vehicle, pull over safely, put the emergency flashers on, and avoid touching metal.

After

cloudy-sky
  • Don’t drive through a flooded roadway.
  • Resist the urge to go look at storm damaged areas.
  • Stay tuned to the weather radio.
  • Keep a close eye on your animals.

 

Enjoy your summer and stay safe! Here are some additional resources for you if you would like to learn more about how to stay safe during a storm. 

https://www.weather.gov

https://www.ready.gov

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Doug Lefeber

Doug has over 30 years of insurance industry experience, and has been with Hausmann-Johnson Insurance since 2014. He oversees the sales and service of about 2,000 Personal Lines accounts and welcomes the opportunity to interact with clients whenever they have an insurance need. As a manager, he believes that if you take good care of your employees, they will in turn take good care of your customers. Doug holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Prior to joining Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, he gained experience as a manager and producer for AAA, Rural Mutual Insurance, and Met Life. He is a member of the Northside Business Association and the East Side Club and volunteers with them regularly. He also enjoys spending time with his family and attending summer music festivals in the area.

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