Six tips to prep for wild spring weather
Spring is the teenager of seasons: Warm and cheerful one minute; surprisingly disagreeable the next.
Knowing that we can get brilliant sunshine, cloudbursts, high wind and lightning – all on the same spring day – here’s how to prep for whatever weather’s on the way:
- Remove dangerous branches. High winds can send overhanging branches crashing down on roofs and cars. Branch removal also is an important part of wildfire preparedness this time of year.
- Clean the gutters. Gutters and downspouts clogged with a winter’s worth of needles can quickly overflow during a spring deluge, damaging whatever’s below – from your foundation and crawlspace to delicate seedlings just getting a foothold.
- Secure your patio umbrella. An unexpected gust can turn it into a window-shattering projectile. Keep umbrellas as well as awnings secured or retracted when not in use.
- Park under cover. Fortunately, damaging hail is a rare event in the Northwest. Still, keeping your car under cover is an easy play-it-safe way to preserve your paintjob.
- Never drive through standing water. Combine a plugged storm drain with a sudden downpour, and it doesn’t take long for 12 inches of water to build up on the roadway – enough to float your car!
- Take shelter during thunder storms. Like the old saying goes, “When thunder roars, head indoors!” Another weather-smart to-do: Unplug sensitive electronics in case of a lightning-strike power surge.
Here’s wishing you a worry less, live more spring!
-Your PEMCO Team
Source: pemco.com