How Different Storms Can Damage your Kingston Home | SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz

11/13/2019 (Permalink)

Few things are more unpredictable than a storm. Give us a call to remedy any kind of storm damage you may suffer.

We all have our favorite weather channel, station or app on our phones. It’s true that no one can predict to 100% what a storm will do, but it’s important to take weather advisories seriously every time they are issued. Weather and atmospheric conditions vary greatly and change by terrain, temperature, location and other factors so no two thunderstorms are the same. Though some might pass through and bring gentle showers, others can cause extreme amounts of damage in a short time. You might hear of your friend down the road getting inundated by a weather system when you’ve gotten barely a thunderstorm.

The effects of a severe storm can range from mild to severe, and it is important to know what your homeowners insurance policy will cover and won’t as well as to prepare for when hazardous weather is coming your way. 

To give homeowners in Highland, New Paltz, Saugerties and Kingston an idea of what to expect when severe weather is forecasted, here are the 4 most common types of storm damages that can happen to a home. 

Lightning Damage Lightning strikes occur around 25 million times each year, and yes- it is possible for lightning to strike the same place twice. When lightning strikes a home, it can cause fires, electrical issues and structural fractures. If your home is struck by lightning, having an expert inspection by a fire department, building inspector and electrician is key as lightning damage could also increase your chances for electrical fires in the future. 

Hail Damage Hail is caused when the storm pushes rain clouds upward enough that the water droplets are frozen solid before passing through to the ground. Hail damage is commonly considered for cars that are parked outside, but it can also wreak havoc on a house’s roof, drainage systems and can even break windows if conditions are right. 

Flood Damage Flooding is one of the most dangerous things that storms can lead to. While thunderstorms typically cause what are known as flash floods, they can also lead to more long-term flooding if conditions are right. Flood damages can be detrimental to a home and its contents and cause hazardous conditions for those in affected areas. It’s critical to know what flood insurance you do have and don’t have before it happens. Call your insurance agent today to get clarity.

Wind Damage In some cases, severe storms can have winds as significant as a tornado would, yet they often last much longer. We all can remember a “straight line storm” that was thought to be a tornado by the shear damage it left. Severe weather can cause damage beyond recognition, especially if they face an open area or are in a spot where they might be particularly vulnerable to winds. Fires can be ignited; glass and debris can be airborne, and the structure could be dangerous. Seek shelter immediately somewhere else until the area is deemed safe by officials.

SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz are storm damage specialists.If you’ve sustained any storm damage to your Ulster County home, call us 24/7 to get your restoration process started right away!