Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
SERVPRO of The Hill Country is Prepared for Storm Damage
9/3/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of The Hill Country keeps an eye on the weather and is always prepared for storm damage at any moment. In the event of a huge tropical storm or hurricane that affects a great deal of homes in the area, SERVPRO® storm "Extreme Teams" are called in to help us so we can restore storm damage in even more homes and businesses in the The Hill Country area. Often times with storm damage comes water damage, and if the water damage is not properly treated, mold damage occurs. The first 48 hours of storm damage are critical in preventing further water and/or mold damage to your home or business. As always, SERVPRO of The Hill Country will work with your insurance every step of the way.
Contaminated Water After a Storm
8/27/2024 (Permalink)
Should you experience a flood in your home after a storm, our team of technicians will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered.
Category 3: "Black Water"
Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
- May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
- Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup
24 Hour Emergency Service
Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians at SERVPRO of The Hill Country are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any emergency situations that arise. We have been a trusted name in safety and properly restoring homes and businesses for almost 15 years! We are here to help!
Storms in The Hill Country
8/8/2024 (Permalink)
When flooding in The Hill Country occurs from powerful storms, SERVPRO of The Hill Country is Here to Help. SERVPRO of The Hill Country will work with your insurance and will work with you every step of the way. When a homeowner in Boerne had seepage coming in from underneath her front door, she called SERVPRO of The Hill Country to come and remove the water and completely dry out the area as well as to spray for mold prevention. Mold growth can occur if storm damage is not properly remediated, this is known as secondary damage. The first 48 hours of a storm damage are very important to preventing more damage from occurring. We were able to work with her insurance company and restore her entryway at little cost to the homeowner. If you have encountered storm damage, please give us a call today to start the restoration process.
Preventing Mold on Your Furniture
8/31/2023 (Permalink)
How to Prevent Mold on Your Patio Furniture
If you’re hoping to save your current furniture or you’ve bought a new patio set and want to keep it from falling victim to the same problem, you can take steps to prevent mildew and mold. When purchasing new furniture, look for water-resistant fabrics and materials and check to see if the dyes used are also weather-resistant. Acrylic and polyester are usually the most durable. You can also waterproof your patio furniture yourself by purchasing a waterproofing kit at your local supply store.
Note that sunscreen and bug spray are known to soak into cushions, so always use a towel to sit on as added protection, and never sit down directly after coming out of the pool. If you do spill water or otherwise soil the furniture, clean it immediately, and do routine cleaning every few weeks. If you do not use your patio furniture year round, consider using furniture covers, or find a shed, garage or storage unit to house it during the off season.
Now that you know how to remove mold and mildew from patio furniture, you can clean up your chairs, table and umbrella to return it to good condition. You’ll be back to lounging out in the summer heat in no time.
Source: Living Direct Online
Securing Your Home for a Hurricane
8/31/2023 (Permalink)
How To Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane
Brace your garage door to prevent more-extensive damage. Most garage doors are not reinforced, and when the wind gets into the garage, it creates a positive push at the same time that the wind swirling above the structure creates a negative pull. That push-pull combination can cause the roof to fly off. Find a kit that you can buy at home-improvement stores to brace your garage doors.
Secure your windows and doors. Broken windows can let in wind and rain, and they can also increase the pressure under the roof. Storm shutters provide the best protection, but boarding up windows when a storm is on the way can help, too. Make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they don’t fly open; deadbolts are best. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides of the home -- not just the one facing the body of water where hurricanes could form -- because hurricanes can swirl in any direction.
Source: kiplinger
Which Sandbags to Use for Flooding and Why
8/16/2022 (Permalink)
Which Sandbags to Use for Flooding and Why
When the threat of a flood is close to your home, sandbags for flooding become as valuable as gold, yet they’re dirt cheap. There have been advancements with sandbags, which is great, thanks to water-activated sandbag which mimic the ability of real sand bags. Yes, they cost more, but are much quicker to implement in the case of a flood so the cost is negligible.
Sandbags for flooding are essential tools if you live in an area prone to flooding. It is not advised to use other bags that are not intended for use as sandbags as they may not be as effective. Sandbags are constructed for the use of containing sand or soil to prevent or reduce the impact of water damage in the event of a flood. They are typically made with woven polypropylene or burlap sacks. Plastic garbage bags are slick and will not create a sturdy structure when stacked. Feed sacks, although made of similar materials to sandbags, are usually large and are also not practical for handling.
If your home or business has experienced a flood, please call the professionals of SERVPRO of The Hill Country right away – open 24 hours for emergency services and here to help!
Source: Chainshaw Journal. Jan 2020.
What Secondary Damage can occur after Storm Damage?
5/16/2022 (Permalink)
After roof leaks or flood damage, if not properly dried and treated, a home or business can develop mold from moisture left on: wood, tile, carpeting, windows, concrete, and/or other materials/items that were affected. SERVPRO of The Hill Country strives to prevent secondary damage every time we remediate storm or water damage. Building material and flooring are dried and treated to prevent mold and other allergens/contaminates using specialized equipment and cleaning products.
If storm damage is not properly treated, the perfect environment is created for mold spores to grow in your home and to contaminate the air that is breathed.
Should you ever suffer water damage due to: excessive rain, storm damage, leaky roof, flood damage, a water heater leak, sink overflow, fire, refrigerator leak, or any other reason water has invaded your home or business, please know that SERVPRO of The Hill Country is here to help. Faster to Any Disaster
Entering Your Home After a Storm, Hurricane, or Tornado
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
How to enter my home after a storm
Entering your home or business after severe storm damage can be risky… roofs can collapse, glass from shattered windows will be on surfaces and floors. Cleaning up after major storm damage can mean facing: contaminated water, animals and insects, splintered wood and sagging ceilings. It is best to let the professionals who are trained and certified to work in these storm damage environments handle the damage restoration. However, according to the American Red Cross, if you absolutely must enter your home or business, be sure to wear:
- Sturdy shoes or boots (no tennis shoes or flip flops)
Whether it’s for your home or for your business, for more information on storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of The Hill Country, click HERE.
We are here to help, San Antonio.
Source: Red Cross Online
Recent Storms Required Damage Restoration from SERVPRO of The Hill Country
1/4/2022 (Permalink)
Recent storms that passed through The Hill Country caused storm damage in many residential homes requiring damage restoration from SERVPRO of The Hill Country. A homeowner in Boerne suffered storm damage to his living room when a window broke from debris causing water to come through his living room window, flooding the wood flooring. Flooring can be saved if SERVPRO of The Hill Country is called right away to extract the water from the wood. We worked side by side with his insurance company to dry out the window, the wall around the window, and the flooring. The area was also treated to prevent mold from forming after it was completely dried out.
To learn more about storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of The Hill Country, click HERE.
Be sure to call us right away - the longer you wait, the worse the damage becomes. (830) 995-4102
Tree Limb Through Window
8/17/2021 (Permalink)
How to avoid tree limbs through windows:
When trees are not properly trimmed, dead limbs are very susceptible to breaking off during a storm, causing storm damage to our homes or places of business. SERVPRO of The Hill Country has received multiple calls this storm season from homeowners who have suffered storm damage due to a tree limb through their window or roof. When this happens, it is important to safely board the roof or window as quickly as possible after the storms have passed and to call a SERVPRO of The Hill Country remediation crew right away: (830) 995-4102. The longer you wait, the more rain enters your home or business, and the more potential for mold growth. To learn more about how SERVPRO of The Hill Country can help you or your business during and after a storm, click here.
Local Storm Causes Water Damage to a Home in The Hill Country
5/26/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of The Hill Country got a call from a homeowner in the middle of the night stating broken windows from a storm were letting in water and causing water damage to her second floor bedroom. There was water on the carpeting and water seeping in through the walls through the window sill. The homeowner was very upset and needed us to come right away. We are open 24 hours for emergency service, so the professionals at SERVPRO of The Hill Country were there for her within an hour. We helped to board the window and to begin to remove the water. Later, air movers and industrial grade dehumidifiers were placed in the room to completely dry out the area. The affected area was also treated for mold prevention. To learn more about storm damage restoration, please click here or call today!
The Hill Country - Are you Storm Aware?
5/17/2021 (Permalink)
As we continue to see storms throughout The Hill Country area cities, we at SERVPRO® of The Hill Country want you to be aware of what the different threat levels mean so that you can be prepared for whatever happens.
Flash Flood Watch
A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood Watch
A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Warning
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
If your home or commercial building ever suffers flood damage, call the SERVPRO® of The Hill Country experts. "Like it never even happened."
Faster to Any Disaster: 830-995-4102
How to Set Up Weather Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
5/28/2020 (Permalink)
How to Set Up Weather Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
Search for "CMAS" or "WEA" in your phone's messaging settings. You can also dial "##2627##" (minus the quotes) on your phone to turn them on.
If neither of these do the trick, you might not have a phone that is WEA enabled. That's OK, though. You can still get emergency weather alerts with weather apps like the Weather Channel app or WeatherUSA.
WeatherUSA sends out real-time alerts to you every time there’s any weather-related warning in your area. They send these alerts out whenever they are released by any federal agency, including the National Weather Service. These alerts are sent across to the subscribers via SMS or email. You can choose to add your county or state for the local weather warnings.
For Android users, To meet the FCC standards, Android introduced “Emergency Broadcasts” features in all its mobiles. Through this service, you can get severe weather alerts instantly. Apart from these alerts, this feature also sends out an alert whenever there’s any emergency in your area.
Source: USA Today Online
Storm Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
4/29/2020 (Permalink)
Emergency alerts on your smartphone are a proven lifesaver.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can save your life. Here's how it works: when the National Weather Service issues an urgent alert for a storm in your location, the system looks to see which cell phone towers are included in the storm’s area. All cell phone towers within the warning area send out an instant emergency alert to WEA-enabled devices. The alert plays the classic emergency alert tone and pushes a notification to your screen.
The great benefit to these alerts is that they only go off if you're in the area affected by hazardous weather. This helps remedy the problem of receiving false alarms for storms dozens of miles away on the other side of your county. If you receive an emergency alert on your smartphone, you know you need to take immediate action to keep yourself and your family safe. Wireless Emergency Alerts are pushed out for tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, hurricane warnings, dust storm warnings, extreme wind warnings, and local dangers such as AMBER Alerts and evacuation orders.
Source: Forbes November 2018
Filling and Stacking Sandbags to Reduce Flooding
1/6/2020 (Permalink)
Filling Your Sandbags
It is recommended that you use sand to fill your bags with, however if it is not readily available soil will work too. When filling your bags, you want to fill them just slightly more than half-full so they lay flatter, are easier to stack, and are lighter to move. Bags are much easier to handle if they are no more than 40 pounds when filled, although this may vary depending on the size of the bag (typical bags for sand-filling are 24-26 inches long by 14 inches wide).
Stacking Sandbags
One factor to keep in mind when protecting your home and property in the event of a flood is that sandbags are simply meant to divert water and debris away from the home, but do not create a water-tight seal. Proper placement will, however, significantly reduce the amount of water that seeps in.
First, you will need to prepare the site where the bags will be placed. You should clear the area where they’ll be placed by removing debris such as large sticks, ice, and snow etc. These may cause gaps in your structure. Your barrier won’t serve you any good if the ground is too slippery and your sandbags all slide away when the water flows so you need to be sure there is enough friction to keep them in place.
If your home has experienced flooding, please call SERVPRO of The Hill Country right away, as time is a factor. The professionals at SERVPRO of The Hill Country offer emergency services 24/7. Here to Help.
Source: Chainsaw Journal Jan 2020.
Avoiding Water and Pipes in your Home During a Storm
6/13/2019 (Permalink)
Avoiding Water and Pipes in your Home During a Storm
WATER & PIPES
People on or in or near water are among those most at risk for lighting strikes during thunderstorms, both inside and outside the home. Water is a good conductor of electricity, and many homes have metal pipes (themselves perfect conductors ). Not only can lightning striking your home travel through your pipes but lightning can travel stealthily into your home through shared pipelines that have sustained strikes some distance away from your home. Do not take a bath or shower, wash your hands, do laundry, or otherwise use running water when there is lightning danger in the area.
If your home or business has encountered storm damage, please call the certified professionals at SERVPRO of The Hill Country today to assess the damage and begin restoring your property. Faster to Any Disaster. To learn more about storm and floor damage restoration, click here.
Source: Homeguide
Storm damage prevention and treatment
5/29/2019 (Permalink)
Storm damage prevention and treatment: reducing damage from storms with preventive action using horticulture
Damage to trees from storms can be minimized by designing and implementing a tree management plan. Designing and executing a plan can help prevent problems. There is no doubt trees can cause damage and be damaged in storms. However, appropriately placed and well-maintained trees can help to reduce storm damage to structures by deflecting wind, as well as reduce damage to the tree itself. Appropriate actions include: proper placement and planting, structural pruning prior to the storm, and proper species selection. Actions in the weeks and years following a strong storm can help bring damaged trees back to health.
If your home or business is affected by a storm, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of The Hill Country.
Source: University of Florida
Things to Do to Be Prepared in the Event Your Home is Affected by a Hurricane
5/1/2019 (Permalink)
Things to Do to Be Prepared in the Event Your Home is Affected by a Hurricane
Take inventory. “The last thing you want to be doing after you’ve been affected by a hurricane is to try to remember everything you had in the house. Having an inventory will make the process of getting through the claim and getting back to normal so much easier.” Keep the inventory list in a safe place away from your home like a safe deposit box.
Update your insurance. Make sure you have the right amount of insurance, and fill in a few key gaps in coverage. Call your Insurance Agent for more information.
SERVPRO® of The Hill Country will work with your insurance and try to make things go as smoothly as we can for you. Faster to Any Disaster
Source: https://www.kiplinger.com
Protecting Your Roof During a Hurricane
1/10/2019 (Permalink)
Protecting Your Roof During a Hurricane
Protect your roof. Consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is bolted to the rest of your house. And inspect your roof tiles or shingles to make sure they are secure. Use roofing cement to fix any loose tiles to prevent them from becoming lethal projectiles during a storm and damaging the underlying roofing material. Seal any areas where wires enter the home, minimizing the chance of water damage during heavy wind and rain.
Trim your trees. Broken limbs could land on your (or your neighbor’s) roof/house or become missiles that can break windows during a storm. If your tree damages your house or a neighbor’s house, your insurance cover the damages, but it may pay only a portion.
If your home is damaged during a San Antonio area storm, call the professionals at SERVPRO of The Hill Country. Faster to Any Disaster
Source: https://www.kiplinger.com
One Year After Hurricane Harvey
8/22/2018 (Permalink)
One Year After Hurricane Harvey
August 25th marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, the category 4 hurricane that deeply affected the great state of Texas one year ago. Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain in parts of the Houston area, flooding thousands of homes and killing more than 80 people. The devastation was swift, and the recovery is far from over. SERVPRO® of The Hill Country was proud to come to the aid of the people whose homes were damaged by the hurricane. The water damage was catastrophic. The professionals at SERVPRO® of of The Hill Country worked especially hard during that hurricane and will always be here for you during any Texas storm...faster to any disaster to help you through any type home flood.
We Specialize in Basement Floods Clean-Up and Restoration After Storms
6/16/2018 (Permalink)
We Specialize in Basement Floods Clean-Up and Restoration After Storms
A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including:
- A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
- Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
- Storm sewer backup
- Sanitary sewer backup
- Foundation drainage failure
- Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
- And many more
Have Questions about Basement Flooding?
Call Today - (830) 995-4102
If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.
The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of The Hill Country and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.
We are Flooded Basement Specialists:
- We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
- We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
- We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
- Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
- We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
- Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment
Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (830) 995-4102
San Antonio Business Affected by Memorial Day Storms
5/30/2018 (Permalink)
San Antonio Business Affected by Memorial Day Storms
The crew of SERVPRO® of The Hill Country was called out to this commercial building located near San Antonio, Texas when a terrible storm blew in over Memorial Day Weekend. The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. So strong, in fact, that it managed to blow in a window, sending shards of glass throughout a lawyer's office causing damage to a couple pieces of furniture that were in the room. Not only did this office experience damage due to the glass breaking, but the rain caused an extensive amount of water damage as well. Since the storm hit over a holiday weekend, it went unnoticed until Tuesday morning. By the time we were called, the water damage had spread throughout the entire fifth-floor office. Additionally, water had dripped to several floors below it. There was a lot to clean up, but no job is too big for our awesome team of technicians who made this disaster "Like it never even happened."
Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting
5/2/2018 (Permalink)
Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting
Unlike other types of house fires, which occur more frequently in the winter months, fires in the home caused by lightning are more likely to happen in June, July and August in the late afternoon or early evening. From 2007-2011, NFPA says there were an average of 22,600 fires per year caused by lightning strikes. Lightning is responsible for a number of wildfires as well.
Lightning during storms poses the greatest risk outdoors and frequently strikes the highest point on a structure.
Safety tips During Lightning Storms:
- When possible, stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
- Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
- Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
- Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm as metal plumbing is an excellent conductor of electricity.
Source: http://www.propertycasualty360.com and National Fire Protection Association
SERVPRO® of the Hill Country Comes to the Aid of Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
1/15/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO® of the Hill Country Comes to the Aid of Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
Fortunately, the Hill Country area received only a handful of inches of rain due to Hurricane Harvey.
Unfortunately, Corpus Christi was hit hard by Harvey's strong winds and high rain totals. Immediately, Austin Tonroy, owner of SERVPRO® of the Hill Country responded to the owners of the homes in Corpus Christi. Windows were shattered, roofs were torn off, and water had flooded in from every direction in some cases. Our SERVPRO team was able to bring in generators to power the: pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers that helped us to remove the water and dry the homes. As in most cases with water damage, many homes were in need of mold prevention applications as well. There were many, many long work days and meals on the go.
In the end, we at SERVPRO® were immensely proud to have helped our fellow Texans during one of their most desperate times of need.
If you are ever found in the same situation with terrible storm damage, please know we are Faster to Any Disaster and are always happy to help.
Damaged Window Seal Results in Water Damage After Rain Storm
8/18/2017 (Permalink)
In June, the Texas Hill Country received several rain storms. Storms are not common in our parts in the summer time. When we do get summer rain, it is the occasional five minute sprinkle and then the weather returns to being sunny and hot. So these Boerne homeowners were shocked to find out that they had experienced storm damage while they were gone at work for the day.
The couple had returned home from work after a long day and noticed a rather large puddle in their living room. At that point, they were confused about what happened and where the water had come from since there was no obvious cause of loss. That's when the couple realized how wet the area around one of the windows was. Upon further inspection, they noticed that the window seal was cracked. The homeowners fixed the damaged window seal, and then they called SERVPRO of The Hill Country. Our professionals came in and extracted any excess water they could out of the carpet. They were able to save the carpet, but needed to remove part of the pad. Our team set up several air movers and dehumidifiers and before the couple knew it, it was like this disaster had never even happened!
Collapsed Ceiling in Kerrville
6/11/2017 (Permalink)
Due to a roof leak, this ceiling collapsed after becoming saturated with rain water.
We're no stranger to severe weather here in Texas. In the past few months alone, our area has been impacted by floods, tornadoes, and hail, just to name a few. While we do our best to be prepared for disaster, sometimes the extent of the damage is far worse than we could ever imagine. What would you do if one night you're sound asleep in your warm, cozy bed when all of a sudden the ceiling collapses because it has become extremely saturated with water? That was the reality for this Kerrville homeowner after a recent storm. An incident like this is absolutely devastating but SERVPRO of The Hill Country is here to see you through to the other side; SERVPRO is here to help!
No matter when disaster hits, SERVPRO of The Hill Country is here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Rain or shine, big or small -- we are here to help make your loss "Like it never even happened." We have been serving our community for almost 15 years.
830-995-4102
Storm Damage in Kerrville, TX
5/31/2017 (Permalink)
Water damage was observed around a ceiling fan after storms caused roof damage to this Kerrville home.
That May weather has arrived here in Texas. This past week, we have been experiencing strong storms wiping through the Hill Country area. Heavy rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning, and flooding is the norm when these storms roll in. This is when our phones at SERVPRO of The Hill Country start ringing; calls from people who are in need of help with various degrees of storm damage, from roofs that are leaking to flood waters that rose too high and intruded into the house. We are here to help 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year, and no job is too big or too small.
Over the Memorial Day Weekend, SERVPRO of The Hill Country was called out to a home in Kerrville, Texas. The homeowner noticed wet spots developing on her ceiling after a bout of heavy rain and strong winds. Upon arriving at the residence, our team noticed that a number of shingles on the roof had been blown off because of the storm. Our professionals tarped the roof to prevent further water from entering and damaging the home. Then they took to cleaning up any standing water before setting up air movers to properly dry out the damp areas.
If you experience storm damage, water damage, or flooding, don't hesitate! Call us immediately - we are here to help!
SERVPRO of The Hill Country -- (830) 995-4102
Restoring Your Hill Country Home After A Storm
4/26/2017 (Permalink)
We're here to help when you need us the most! Call us today if your home is in need of our remediation or restoration services. (830) 995-4102
Restoring properties affected by storms is the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO of The Hill Country is experienced in the remediation of storm damage and flood damage that can occur to your Hill Country home or business. SERVPRO of The Hill Country has a great team of highly-trained professionals who use specialized equipment and their extensive knowledge to quickly and properly restore your property to the pre-storm or pre-flood condition. SERVPRO of The Hill Country is dedicated to responding promptly, which can help minimize secondary damage done to your home.
If your Hill Country home or business experiences storm or flood damage and is need of remediation, give SERVPRO of The Hill Country a call! We service all areas of the Texas Hill Country, including Kerrville, Boerne, Bandera, and Fredericksburg.
(830) 995-4102
Preparing For Disaster: Flood Warnings & Watches
4/3/2017 (Permalink)
An intersection under flood waters in Boerne, Texas during a flood Memorial Day Weekend 2014.
Over the past couple years, flooding has been a major problem in and around San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. Storms can roll through bringing strong winds, thunder and lightning, and torrential rain. The large amount of rain is not absorbed by the ground quick enough, so the water runs off and accumulates in low-lying areas. Water will also run into creeks, rivers, and ponds causing them to swell, which means that the water levels to rise. Both bodies of water and low-lying areas can quickly accumulate water and the water can rise very fast.
If the forecast is calling for heavy rain, it is a good idea to stay up-to-date on the threat level. A flood or flash flood warning means that flooding is possible and you should be prepared to possibly carry out your emergency plan. A flood or flash flood watch means that flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If your Kerrville home or business is prone to flooding, you will be told to evacuate the area.
When planning for an emergency, the first step is getting basic supplies together. Some of these items include water, canned food, first aid supplies, and batteries for radios and flashlights. These items should be kept together in a separate area from where they would usually be stored, and everyone in your home or office should know where it is located in the event that an emergency were to occur. It is also a good idea to keep important documents – birth certificates, medical records, insurance cards - in this box/area. If a flood warning is issued, fill your gas tank and move your emergency items into your car. If you do not own a car, make arrangements with family, friends, or neighbors for transportation. Gather family and pets, if possible. If your pets will not fit in a car with you, or if you own livestock and are unable take them, find a safe area to move them to. You should also adjust refrigerator thermostats to the coolest possible temperature in case the power goes out.
If you are told that you need to evacuate your home or business, you should leave as soon as possible; never ignore this order! It is advised to turn off your water, electricity, and gas and to unplug appliances, if you have time, to reduce the possibility of additional damage occurring to your Kerrville home. Those of us who have grown up in the area, have heard the saying a thousand times – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”. Don’t ever attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. You cannot be sure of how deep the water actually is, nor can you properly gauge the strength of the moving water.
Flooding is common in our area and being prepared is essential to avoid making a bad situation worse. If your Kerrville home or business experiences flood or water damage, call our team in green! SERVPRO of The Hill Country will be there to make it “Like It Never Even Happened”.
Preparing For Disaster: Emergency Supply Kit
2/20/2017 (Permalink)
It is wise to plan for disaster and to have an emergency supply kit in your Kerrville home
It is important to have basic emergency kit supplies gathered in the event of a disaster. These items should be kept separate from where you normally store them in your Hill Country home. The last thing you need in an emergency is to find out that your child used your emergency batteries to replace the dead ones in their video game controller a month ago. If you keep them separated, you will reduce the likelihood of something like this happening. While you can’t plan when a disaster happens, you can plan for a disaster. The following items are recommended to have in your emergency kit:
- Water – You should have one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. This water will be used for not only drinking, but also sanitation (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc). If you have pets, you should have water on hand for them as well.
- Food – You should have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. These items can include canned fruits and vegetables, soups, crackers, nuts and seeds, and canned tuna. Don’t forget to put a can opener in your emergency kit. Again, if you have pets, you should also pack away at least three days worth of pet food for them.
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a weather radio with a tone alert. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand for both, if they require batteries.
- Flashlights and extra batteries for them. Not everyone will need one, necessarily, but it is a good idea to have more than just one on hand.
- First aid kit – alcohol wipes, band aids, gauze, bandage tape, disposable latex gloves, thermometer, tweezers, saline solution, aspirin, just to name a few. You can purchase pre-made first aid kits or make your own with extra supplies sitting around your Boerne home. If making your own, put them in a separate bag to prevent them from getting lost amongst your other emergency kit items and to help keep them as sterile as possible.
- A Whistle, to signal for help. Again, while you don’t need one for each person, necessarily, it might be a good idea in the event that you and your family members get separated.
- Dust masks – These will help filter the air in case it becomes contaminated. Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off an area in your home is also suggested.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off your utilities with
- Cell phones with chargers, inverter or solar charger. No need to purchase an emergency cell phone; you can use the one you use everyday. But keep in mind that cell phones should be used for emergency reasons only during a disaster. This would not be the time to drain your cell phone battery playing games or scrolling through Facebook.
A couple additional emergency supplies you might want to consider keeping on hand:
- Prescription medications
- Eyeglasses and/or an extra set of contacts
- Important documents such as identification, birth certificates, bank account records, and copies of insurance policies. These should be kept in a waterproof, portable container.
- Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper. Bleach can used to treat water and it can also be used as a disinfectant. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Bleach as a disinfected: nine parts water to one part bleach
- Bleach to treat water: 16 drops of bleach per gallon of waterSleeping bag or warm blankets for each person. If it going to be cold, you might want to consider having extras on hand.
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Personal hygiene items
- Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic eating utensils. If you are packing mess kits, be sure to also pack a small bottle of dishwashing liquid soap and a sponge.
- Paper and pencils
- Activities to keep you and your family occupied, such as books, games, puzzles, and coloring books
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes. Clothing should include at least a long sleeved shirt and long pants. Extra, thicker clothing may be required if cold weather is in the forecast.
Call the Local SERVPRO in the Hill Country That's Faster To Any Size Disaster
10/30/2016 (Permalink)
When disaster threatens a community, it is often too late to take the necessary steps to prepare homes, businesses, and family members for the situation. Whether it's a blizzard, flood, hurricane or wildfire, disasters of all types often give little to no warning before they strike. The time to prepare for a storm is not as it approaches- the time to prepares is now.
No matter where in the Hill Country or surrounding areas that you call home, we want to ensure that you are prepared for any disaster. Whether you have damage caused by a hurricane, tornado, flash flood, or another other reason your local SERVPRO of The Hill Country has the resources, experience and training to help get your doors reopened for business as soon as possible.
If your property suffers a fire or water damage, your local SERVPRO of The Hill Country Professionals will be ready to help you.
When Storms or Floods hit Comfort, TX SERVPRO is ready!
8/5/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of The Hill Country specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit the Hill Country of Texas, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams http://www.SERVPROthehillcountry.com/storm-flooding-restoration that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 830-995-4102
Hill Country Residents Are You Storm Aware?
5/26/2016 (Permalink)
As we continue to see storms throughout our Hill Country cities, we at SERVPRO of The Hill Country want you to be aware of what the different threat levels mean so that you can be prepared for whatever happens.
Flash Flood Watch
A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood Watch
A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Warning
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
If your home or commercial building every has water damage, call the Hill Country experts.
SERVPRO® of The Hill Country understands that no damage is small when it comes to your home.
4/25/2016 (Permalink)
Big or small SERVPRO of the Hill Country can help with it all
Your home is truly a reflection of you, your tastes and your personality. Suffering damage to your home can feel like a part of you has been damaged as well. We recognize a loss can make you feel vulnerable, invaded or robbed of part of your life. Your loss is unique—in how it started, the emotions experienced and the extent of the damage.
When damage affects your home, you want it to be restored to pre-loss condition. You cannot afford to let the marketability of your home be affected. That is why SERVPRO® has professionally restored property for over 40 years.
SERVPRO® is the trusted choice for hundreds of insurance companies nationwide, because they know SERVPRO® of The Hill Country Professionals have the experience to do the job right.
- IICRC* Approved School for 5 Cleaning and Restoration Categories:
- Over 1,500 Locations Nationwide
- SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals Serving America Since 1967
- Recognized Industry Leader in Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration
- Fire _ Water _ Carpet _ Upholstery _ ASD (Applied Structural Drying)
- Insurance protection
- Exclusive products and equipment
- Extensive training programs
- Safety compliance
- Complete documentation, no surprises
- Defined work processes
- Active customer communication
- Fast work completion
SERVPRO® is a company with the resources and experience to be a national leader in cleaning and restoration.
When you call SERVPRO® of The Hill Country, you can expect:
_ Fast Response. . . . . . . . . . Uniformed technicians will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification.
_ Damage Containment. . . . . Timely response can mean the difference between restoring property and replacing it.
_ Extensive Experience.. . . . SERVPRO® has been a leading provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration for over 40 years.
_ Vast Resources. . . . . . . . . . SERVPRO® has large loss capabilities and can handle any fire or water damage—no matter how big.
CHECK US OUT! WE’LL DO IT RIGHT!
Our Goal:
To make you feel Like it never even happened.®
- Minimize customer interruptions
- Complete the job properly
- Provide regular updates on progress
- Restore the property to pre-loss condition in most cases
- Insurance protection
- Exclusive products and equipment
- Extensive training programs
- Safety compliance
- Complete documentation, no surprises
- Defined work processes
- Active customer communication
- Fast work completion
When fire and water take control of your life, we help you take it back.
Hill Country Storm Damage Experts
4/13/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of The Hill Country is here to help
Last night's storm ravaged our neighborhoods resulting in broken home windows that allowed water to pour into them. We are actively helping to clean up these water damages. If your home or business has experienced water damage, contact us immediately at (830) 995-4102 to help prevent secondary damage. Secondary damage occurs when water is allowed to stay and is not appropriately mitigated. Remember we work with all insurance carriers and will help you through this claim process. We understand that storm damage is a difficult experience and we have the expertise to walk you through each step of the process. We are the Hill Country experts when it comes to storm damage water restoration. We live in the Hill Country, so we are part of your neighborhood and are here to help.
Hill Country Call the Cleanup Team That’s Faster To Any Size Disaster
3/23/2016 (Permalink)
If your bathtub overflows, call the drying experts at SERVPRO of The Hill Country
A pipe bursts. A water heater leaks. A bathtub overflows. Flood waters rush in. A sprinkler system malfunctions. Water damage can happen in any number of ways. But if your business or home is under a few inches of water, everything takes a backseat. Only one thing matters when your business can’t operate, and there is just one thing on the mind of the water-logged resident: A solution.
Your local SERVPRO of The Hill Country Professionals are the solution. Equipped with the knowledge, the experience, and the training to help make your water damage “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of The Hill Country will start helping the moment you call us at (830) 995-4102. Backed by more than 40 years of experience, your local SERVPRO of The Hill Country Professionals will help put your worries at ease, because we understand the science of drying.
When water damage strikes, give us a call; we will help make things right, make things dry, and make it “Like it never even happened.”
24/7 Emergency Service
