How Secure Is Your Iowa Home Against Severe Storms?
Extreme weather is threatening Midwest homes, and self-reliance is your best defense. A recent 360-mile derecho just tore through Iowa and Illinois, according to The Weather Channel. At the same time, Tropical Storm Arthur is flooding parts of Texas and Louisiana. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting disruptive El Nino conditions this fall, individual preparedness is more important than ever. Here is how Iowa families can protect their homes and loved ones without waiting for government rescue.
How Can Iowa Families Prepare for Severe Windstorms?
When severe weather strikes, having a solid plan protects your family. Ready.gov reports that September and October are the most likely months for major storms, even though the Atlantic and Central Pacific hurricane seasons run from June 1 to Nov. 30. The Eastern Pacific season starts even earlier on May 15.
Creating an emergency plan is the first step to ensuring your family's safety. You need to know how you will communicate during a crisis and how you will receive emergency alerts. Identify where you will shelter in place and the exact evacuation route you will take if necessary.
Your plan must also account for children, pets, and family members with mobility issues. Make arrangements for anyone who requires special medication or medical equipment. Review this plan with everyone in your household before severe weather season begins.
How Do You Secure Your Property Before a Storm Hits?
Taking proactive steps to secure your property is a matter of basic personal responsibility. As extreme weather approaches, you can reinforce your home against high winds by taking a few practical steps:
- Trim trees to remove weak branches
- Install hurricane-proof doors
- Install storm shutters on windows
- Replace exterior glass with tempered glass
- Create a plan to secure outdoor furniture, potted plants, and toys
What Should You Include in Your Home Emergency Kit?
Rushing around at the last minute is a recipe for disaster. Instead, build an emergency kit or a go bag right now. Having supplies on hand ensures you can rely on yourself instead of waiting for outside help. Your emergency kit should include:
- Nonperishable food
- Bottled water
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Portable radio
- First-aid supplies
- Prescription medication
- Pet food
- Cash
- Blankets
- Phone chargers
- Basic hygiene items
Are Your Insurance Policies Ready for Extreme Weather?
Before storm season arrives, review your insurance policies to make sure you are fully covered. You work hard for your property, and you need to protect it. Verify that your current coverage is sufficient to rebuild your home and replace your personal property in the event of a total loss.
Standard policies do not always cover everything. You should specifically check if you need flood insurance and windstorm insurance. If you live in a high-risk area, make sure you have the right coverage. Understand your deductible, and keep enough in savings to cover it if you suffer a loss.
How Do You Document Your Belongings for Insurance Claims?
Maintain a running inventory of your personal property. If a storm destroys your home, you will need to provide an inventory of the lost items to file a homeowners' insurance claim. The sooner you provide this documentation, the sooner the insurance company can settle your claim and you can start rebuilding.
Go room by room and add each item to a spreadsheet. Include the value of each item. For valuable possessions, include photos or purchase receipts. Store your inventory digitally on a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive. This ensures you can access it even if you cannot return to your home. Update this inventory every year before storm season.
How Do You Protect Important Documents From Storm Damage?
Storing important documents in paper form leaves them vulnerable. Place every critical document in a waterproof and fireproof safe inside your home. Next, create a digital copy of each document. If your home is destroyed and your safe cannot be recovered, you will still have copies of everything.
Important documents to secure include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Social Security cards
- Military service records
- Insurance policies
- Tax statements
- Health records
- Financial records
How to Safely Use Backup Power When the Grid Fails?
Generators can be lifesavers when storms knock out the power grid, but they can also be deadly if used carelessly. Proper use of fuel-burning devices is critical. Never use a portable generator, grill, or camp stove inside your home or garage. The fumes and carbon monoxide they produce can be fatal. Always operate grills, camp stoves, and portable generators outside and at least 20 feet away from any building opening, such as a door or window.
One reliable alternative to a fuel-powered generator is a portable power station. You can recharge these with portable solar panels, giving you off-grid independence without the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Why Should You Keep a Hurricane Checklist on Hand?
Fear and adrenaline make it easy to forget critical steps when a storm hits. Before severe weather arrives, write down a checklist of exactly what you will do and pack. If a storm approaches, simply refer to your list rather than relying on your memory.
Do Iowa Homeowners Need Flood Insurance?
Yes, Iowa homeowners should strongly consider flood insurance. Even though Iowa is not a coastal state, severe Midwest storms and derechos can cause significant inland flooding. Standard homeowners' insurance policies typically exclude flood damage, so a separate flood insurance policy is necessary to protect your property from water damage.
What Is the Difference Between a Derecho and a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters and brings high winds and heavy rain to coastal areas. A derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm that moves quickly across land. Derechos are particularly dangerous in the Midwest because they can produce hurricane-force winds over hundreds of miles, as Iowa recently experienced.