What kind of damage can a storm cause? Here are some examples. Lightning can damage electrical appliances; high winds and flash flooding can harm landscaping. Water damage can be disastrous, and the cost to water clean up damaged homes or businesses can run into the millions. If you live in an area that receives frequent storms, you can learn more about the dangers of water damage from a storm. You’ll be glad you read this article.
Storms can cause property damage
Homeowners and business owners who have experienced severe storm damage should contact a water clean up a contractor as soon as possible to get repairs started. While severe storm damage may be covered by home and business insurance policies, the homeowner’s deductible and re-insurance amount are the responsibility. In addition, the extent of the damage, the building’s age, and the neighborhood’s property values factor into the final settlement. Insurance companies do not usually target customers individually in storm-damaged communities but can increase rates for whole areas.
Powerful winds are often the main culprit in property damage. Besides downed trees, these winds can also cause damage to power lines and other structures nearby. Even if your property is not directly affected by a storm, the force of the wind can be powerful enough to destroy siding, windows, and roofs. This can create a significant safety risk for residents. In addition to structural damage, storm-damaged properties may need new roofs and siding, so it’s essential to contact a storm damage restoration fort collins co as soon as possible.
Lightning can cause damage to electrical appliances
If lightning strikes your home, you may need to replace your appliances or rewire them. Lightning can also damage electronics, wiring, and other electrical items. Because lightning produces a shockwave with 50,000 degrees of heat, it can fracture concrete, brick, and stone. The electricity travels along the reinforcement rods when the energy hits the materials. If the electrical appliances or wiring are plugged in, this can cause a fire.
The power surge created by a lightning strike can fry electronic appliances. These appliances were not made to handle the extra power, so when lightning hits, they suffer damage. Lightning can result in thousands of dollars of damage, so if you have multiple appliances plugged in, consider using surge protection devices. In addition, it would help if you stopped using extension cords, as they may break during a lightning strike. Lastly, stop plugging multiple appliances into one outlet.
High winds
Severe windstorms can cause a great deal of damage to homes, landscaping, and structures. For example, a derecho that hit northern Minnesota on July 4, 1999, reached a maximum wind speed of 160 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour. It toppled trees and knocked down tens of millions of trees. Even buildings with sturdy structures can suffer significant damage from high winds. In the worst cases, homeowners may have to make temporary repairs while repairs are made.
When high winds reach 25 mph, large branches and utility wires will sway, causing considerable damage. Older trees, especially, are particularly at risk because weakened branches may fall onto rooftops or parking lots. Walking and using umbrellas becomes more complicated when winds reach 30 mph or more. The National Weather Service issues a wind advisory at this point. Even small unsecured objects can be blown around during a storm.
Flash flooding can affect landscaping
Implementing a flood-resistance landscape design around your home is the best way to protect your landscaping from floods. Flooding can cause damage to your landscaping due to natural changes caused by excessive rainfall or snowmelt. If your home is not at risk for flooding, you can make the necessary changes during spring and summer. Check the flood map for your area to learn about the highest stakes. You can also get information about the best landscaping practices to protect your property from flooding.
In areas where there is little or no vegetation, small streams and low-lying areas can flood very quickly, and they can become inundated very quickly. Low-lying areas are especially vulnerable to flash flooding because water can seep into the ground and promptly reach low areas. Lack of vegetation can also contribute to flooding, as can soil conditions. Clay soil, rock, and too-dry or moist soil can prevent water from infiltrating the ground.
Beach erosion
Extreme coastal storms can affect coastal environments through their massive wave energy. However, severe storms can also affect beach systems, disrupting their ecosystems. The projected changes to many coastal ecosystems jeopardize their future resilience. In addition, the limited knowledge of future storms can make modeling their impacts difficult.
Researchers have determined that extratropical cyclones (ETCs) are a significant driver of large-scale beach erosion in temperate zones. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying rapid morphological change caused by ETCs remain poorly understood. In this study, they present an unprecedented dataset of regional-scale morphological response to an ETC and evaluate these new observations within the context of a long-term coastal monitoring program.
Power outages caused by storms
Storms can cause power outages for various reasons, from heavy wind to lightning. In addition, trees and untrained tree trimmers can strike power lines, leading to an outage. Large earthquakes can also cause damage to power lines and facilities. Power outages caused by storms are common, but they can also be a symptom of a more significant problem. However, despite the dangers associated with hurricanes, homeowners should be prepared for them and follow the steps outlined below.
Weather-related power outages can be costly and can affect thousands of people. Fortunately, utilities can minimize their impacts by improving the reliability of their power systems. They take measures to prevent storm-related outages, including tree-trimming schedules, undergrounding lines, and distributed generation. Utility companies can also focus their maintenance practices on improving power system reliability. In addition, utility companies can enhance their operational reliability by improving their metering systems, monitoring power quality, and monitoring weather conditions.
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