Flash Flood Emergency vs. Flash Flood Warning

4/21/2024 (Permalink)

Know the difference between a Flash Flood Emergency and a Flash Flood Warning.

Have you ever wondered, what is the difference between a flash flood emergency and a flash flood warning? The difference is important to know.

Flash Flood Emergency

A flash flood emergency is a rare situation in which there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage to the affected area. It should be known that when a flash flood emergency is issued, any person in that threatened area should seek a safe place to shelter and sometimes will be required to evacuate.

Flash Flood Warning

The more commonly known, flash flood warning, is issued when there are dangerous floods happening or will happen soon. This warning lets people in the affected area know that some roads will be flooded, as well as homes and businesses. It is important to NEVER drive through a flooded road during these conditions.

How to Prepare Your Moorhead Home for a Storm

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Prepare your home when a storm is in the forecast

If there is a storm in the forecast, you may want to do some preparing beforehand. Preparing your home before a storm can minimize the risk of damage and reduce chances of needing restoration work. Follow these steps to protect your home:

• Ensure Doors and Windows are Shut

Before a storm make sure that your windows and doors are shut. If there are any cracks or openings, properly insulate them so that water or debris does not come into the home.

• Check Exterior of Home

If you have siding that is damaged or weathered, a storm can cause even greater problems for you. Check around the exterior of your home for any holes or cracks. Water could enter the walls through the damaged exterior, causing damage to the inside of a home.

• Clean Out Your Gutters

Gutters are often overlooked when preparing for a storm. It is so important to make sure that your gutters are clean from debris so that water can drain properly. Backed up water can lead to leaks and damage to the roof and walls of the home.

What is the Difference Between a Storm Watch and a Storm Warning

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

When a storm comes through your community, know the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning

A storm watch and a storm warning are different things. Many times we hear the radio or tv talk about a “watch” or “warning”, but do you really know the difference?

Storm Watch

A storm watch means that the weather conditions are favorable to it becoming severe weather, although no severe weather has been reported yet. This lets people know that they should prepare for severe weather. A storm watch can always turn into a storm warning.

Storm Warning

A storm warning means that severe weather has been reported and specific locations are announced. When a warning is reported, you should take shelter immediately to ensure your safety.

At SERVPRO of *Franchise* we are prepared for any type of storm damage that may come your way. Our crews are always ready and on standby when a storm rolls in. If you find yourself needing storm damage restoration services, give us a call!

SERVPRO of Moorhead – (218)236-7447

Your Local Cleaning, Restoration, and Construction Company.

Red River Flood Warning Issued for Clay County?

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24-hours a day in Moorhead.

Last month the National Weather Service issued hazardous weather and flood warnings for Clay and Cass Counties. Our local team in Moorhead mitigates and restores storm damage 24-hours a day. Here is some information from the National Weather Service on the different flood alerts.

Flood Watch

• Be Prepared. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will happen, but it is possible.

Flood Warning

• Take action!A Flood Warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flash Flood Warning

• Take action!A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Call Us Today!

If your Moorhead home or commercial business has storm damage, our local team in Moorhead can help. We’ll restore your storm damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Tornado Drills in the Moorhead Area?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County!

Our Moorhead team responds to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County. We typically arrive within four hours of your call for help. Severe weather is no stranger to Moorhead, Minnesota. During the first week of April, the National Weather Service held Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. Each day was devoted to a different preparedness topic, including statewide tornado drills.

Daily topics:

• Monday – Alerts, and Warnings
• Tuesday – Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning
• Wednesday – Floods
• Thursday – Tornadoes
• Friday – Excessive Heat

Statewide tornado drills were held using outdoor sirens in some communities for the exercises, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios were activated using test wording. Tornadoes can touch down rapidly with little advanced warning. According to the NOAA, tornado warnings are issued thirteen minutes (on average) before the storm hits.

Tornado Drills

During a tornado drill at work and school, you will proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums. If you are outside, seek shelter inside a sturdy building if a tornado is approaching.

Call Us Today!

Storms can happen at any time and sometimes with little advanced warning. When your Moorhead home or business has storm damage, our local team in Moorhead is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your storm damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Emergency Disaster Plan for Moorhead Pets?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24-hours a day in Clay County.

Our Moorhead team has years of experience restoring storm damage. Our furry friends play important roles in our lives, so it is a good idea to have a disaster plan in place for them. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross for keeping your pets safe during a disaster:

 Pet Disaster Plan

• Make an evacuation plan for you and your pets. Many hotels and shelters do not accept animal guests other than service animals.
• Include pets in your emergency kit, or assemble an emergency kit for your pet
• If it’s not safe to stay in your home during an emergency, it is not safe for your pets, either

 Pet Emergency Kit

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure they can’t escape
• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and a manual can opener if your pets eat canned food
• Mediations and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container
• A first aid kit
• Current photos of your pet in case they get lost
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets
• Pet beds and toys if easily transportable

Call Us Today!

When your Moorhead home or commercial business gets hit by storm damage, our local team in Moorhead will arrive to begin the cleanup and restoration process immediately. Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Survival Kit Replenishment Tips for Moorhead?

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County.

Have you inspected and replenished your emergency survival kit lately? This past winter brought more blizzard conditions and severe weather to Moorhead than in recent years. Our local team in Moorhead wants everyone to be prepared in the event of another storm and offer these tips from the American Red Cross on things you should have on hand in a survival kit:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries 
• Deluxe family first aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Maps of the area

Call Us Today!

You never know when the next big storm or disaster may occur, so it’s always good to prepare for any eventuality. When you have storm damage in your Moorhead home or commercial business, our local team in Moorhead will arrive quickly to begin the cleanup and restoration process immediately. Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Severe Weather Warning in Moorhead?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County.

SERVPRO® of Moorhead has been restoring storm-damaged properties in Moorhead for years. Here are some helpful definitions for severe weather watches and warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Watches are issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, or flash floods. If you are in a watch area, continue with normal activities and make plans to seek shelter if necessary.

Warnings are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Seek shelter immediately if you are in or near the path of the storm. Warnings are issued by county and city names. Make sure you know the name of the county in which you live and the cities that surround you. Updates are given until the immediate threat has ended.

Advance Information

The forecast and warning process begins one or more days ahead of time when the threat area is determined. Hazardous weather outlooks are issued early every morning and updated as conditions warrant.

If a Watch is Issued

Local weather offices are staffed with extra personnel. State officials are notified, and they pass the information to the county and local level. Counties and cities activate their spotter groups as the threat increases. Television and radio stations pass the word to the public.

Call Us!

Moorhead residents and businesses can rely on SERVPRO^® of Moorhead to restore storm damage no matter how big the job is. We’ll restore your storm damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Ice Dam Damage in Dilworth?

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County.

SERVPRO® of Moorhead has been restoring storm damage for Dilworth residents for years. The University of Minnesota’s website has an excellent section on ice dams. Here is some information from their website:

Ice Dams

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

Immediate Action

• Remove the snow from the roof
• Use a roof rake or push broom to remove snow (may damage roofing materials)
• In an emergency where water is flowing into the house structure, making channels through the ice dam allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof

• Hosing with tap water on a warm day will do this job
• Work upward from the lower edge of the dam
• The channel will become ineffective within days and is only a temporary solution

Long-Term Action

• Make the ceiling airtight so no warm, moist air can flow from the house into the attic space
• After sealing air leakage paths between the house and attic space, consider increasing the ceiling or roof insulation to cut down on heat loss by conduction

Call Us!

When you have storm damage in your Dilworth home or business, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Storm-Proof Garage Doors in Moorhead?

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24-hours a day in Clay County.

Minnesotans know a thing or two about severe winter weather. SERVPRO® of Moorhead responds to many storm damage emergencies each year. Garage doors can be damaged in severe storms when strong winds blast into them, causing them to buckle and break under the pressure. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are steps you can take to protect your home from wind damage:

• Inspect your garage door to make sure it can withstand strong winds and have reinforcing supports installed if necessary
• Cover doors and windows to prevent broken glass and damage from flying debris. Consider installing storm windows.
• Inspect your roof and make sure that at least six nails or staples hold down each shingle beneath the edges of the overlapping shingles. Install a waterproof underlayment under the shingles to prevent water from entering the structure in the event the wind blows the shingles off the roof.
• Remove trees too close to the home
• Make sure your rain gutters and downspouts are secured to the house and are in good working order
• Anchor potential projectiles like furniture, grills, and small objects

Call Us Today!

When your Moorhead home or commercial business needs storm damage restoration services, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your storm damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Power Outage Preparedness for Hawley?

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County.

Power outages can happen at any time in Hawley. SERVPRO® of Moorhead responds to storm damage emergencies every year, and in many cases, there was no power when we arrived. Here are some tips for preparing for a power outage from the American Red Cross:

Create a support network. Identify people who can help you stay at home or evacuate during an extended power outage. Keep a paper copy of your contact list.

Stay connected and alert. Sign up for alert systems and apps for text alerts. Have communication devices that work without home power, including a crank or battery radio, a non-cordless home phone, chargers/batteries for your cell phones and your computers.

Stock food and water. Store non-perishable food and water supplies for at least two weeks. Plan to use coolers and ice to extend food refrigeration and keep a thermometer in the fridge, freezer, or cooler to monitor the food temperature.

Know and plan for your personal and medical electrical needs. Take an inventory of your electrical needs. Consider backup and non-power alternatives for lighting, communication, medical devices, refrigerated medicine, cooking, garage doors, locks, and elevators. Discuss a plan with your doctors for your medical needs.

Call Us Today!

When your Moorhead home or commercial business needs storm damage restoration services, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 218-236-7447.

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Tornado Damage in Moorhead?

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

We mitigate and restore storm damage in Clay County.

Do you know that Moorhead is a high-risk area for tornadoes? Since 1950 there have been 120 tornadoes, and two tornadoes touch down in Clay County each year. SERVPRO® of Moorhead responds to tornado and other severe storm damage emergencies and offer these tips on staying safe during a tornado from the American Red Cross:

• Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows

• In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. 

• In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home, however, it is configured, is safe in a tornado.

• A tornado watch means a tornado is possible

• A tornado warning means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon. Go to your safe place immediately.

Call Us Today!

You never know when a tornado or some other severe weather will cause damage to your home or business, but when it does, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Here to Help. ® We restore storms 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll restore your storm damage in Georgetown, “Like it never even happened.”

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Thunderstorm Damage in Sabin?

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

We are trusted leaders in storm damage restoration in Clay County.

Thunderstorm Winds in Sabin?

Do you know that thunderstorm warnings should be treated just like a tornado warning?  SERVPRO® of Moorhead responds to storm damage emergencies throughout the year and we have witnessed firsthand the damage thunderstorm winds can cause to a structure.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), thunderstorms can produce strong wind gusts that have been known to exceed 100 miles per hour. Here are some more interesting facts about thunderstorm winds from the NOAA:

• Thunderstorms should be treated like you would a tornado. Move to an appropriate shelter if you’re in the path of the storm.
• The strong outrush of wind from a thunderstorm is often called a downburst. Downbursts are caused by rain-cooled air, which accelerates rapidly downward, producing a potentially damaging gust of wind.
• Strong downbursts are often mistaken for tornadoes. They can produce extensive damage and are often accompanied by a roaring sound similar to a tornado. Downbursts can easily overturn mobile homes, tear roofs off of houses, and topple trees.

Call Us!

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead has a team of highly trained and certified restoration technicians on-call to respond to residential and commercial storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll restore your storm damage in Sabin, “Like it never even happened.”

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Red River Flooding in Moorhead?

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Clay County.

The City of Moorhead has a section on its website that monitors Red River levels that impact the Fargo-Moorhead area. SERVPRO® of Moorhead has been responding to storm damage emergencies in Morehead for years and offers these safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on what to do before a flood:

• Check to see if you have flood insurance coverage
• Raise your furnace, water heater, or electrical panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded
• Install “check valves” in sewer traps
• Construct barriers, such as levees, berms, or floodwalls, to stop floodwater from entering the building
• Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds
• During a flood or flash flood watch, be prepared to evacuate, including fill your car’s gas tank; bring in outside furniture; move valuables to high points in your home; and unplug electrical appliances and move them to high points.
• During a flood warning, evacuate if you are so advised
• During a flash flood warning, immediately seek higher ground
• Keep your emergency supplies kit, including water, stored in an easily accessible, waterproof place

Call Us!

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead has a team of highly trained and certified restoration technicians on-call 24-hours a day to respond to storm damage emergencies. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll restore your storm damage in Moorhead, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

SERVPRO of Moorhead Goes to Texas?

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

We are proud to be part of SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team!

Moorhead’s Emergency Storm Response Team

When Texas was hit by three consecutive severe winter storms and lost power, SERVPRO® of Moorhead, along with many other SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Teams mobilized to Texas to help mitigate the storm damage. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses were left without power, and the freezing temperatures occurred in a region of the United States where temperatures seldom go below freezing. The storm and power outage combination created a disaster, causing billions of dollars in damages.

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Teams

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team is made up of a network of strategically positioned storm teams throughout the United States who can mobilize quickly to help with disasters, like we did when we went to Texas to help with the freeze crisis. With over 1700 franchises nationwide, we have the equipment, advanced training, and experience to mitigate any size storm or disaster. Recent mobilizations include:

• 2017 California wildfires
• 2017 Hurricane Irma
• 2017 Hurricane Harvey
• 2016 Hurricane Matthew
• 2015 Carolina floods
• 2014 Polar Vortex
• 2012 Sandy
• 2010 Nashville floods
• 2008 Ike
• 2007 Chicago floods
• 2007 Ohio floods
• 2007 California wildfires
• 2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

Call Us Today!

When your Moorhead home or business has a storm damage emergency, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is ready to respond 24-hours a day. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll clean restore your storm damage, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

Storm Damage in Barnesville?

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

We mitigate storm damage in the Moorhead area 24-hours a day.

1941 Blizzard

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a great website that provides information on Minnesota climate, nature, temperatures, and a host of general statistics and summaries. In their historic weather events section, they describe a terrible blizzard that occurred on March 14 to 15 in 1941. This blizzard hit the western counties hard. Eighty-five mile-per-hour winds were recorded at Grand Forks.

Up until this time, regional forecasts for the Minnesota area were under Chicago's jurisdiction, but this blizzard changed this. From this point on, Minnesota acquired the responsibility to dictate its own regional forecasts and procedures.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO® of Moorhead responds to storm damage emergencies day and night in Barnesville and the surrounding areas. When we arrive, we will secure the structure to minimize further damage and immediately begin the mitigation process. We are part of a network of over 1700 franchises nationwide, so we can mobilize resources quickly to take care of any size job or any large-scale disaster.

Call Us Today!

When your Barnesville home or commercial business has storm damage, SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is ready to respond to your call 24-hours a day.  Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll clean and restore your storm damage, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

Emergency Kit Tips for Moorhead?

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

We respond to storm emergencies 24-hours a day in the Moorhead area!

SERVPRO® of Moorhead has been responding the storm damage emergencies in Moorhead and the surrounding communities for years, and know that winter storms often occur unexpectedly, causing power outages and road closures. We want everyone in our community to be safe this winter, and share these tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on maintaining your emergency kits:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in a tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.

Emergency Kit Locations

FEMA suggests keeping emergency supply kits at home, work, and in your vehicle, as you never know where you will be when a storm hits.

• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water, and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
• Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

Call Us Today!

SERVPRO® of Moorhead has a team of highly trained restoration technicians available to assist you 24 hours a day. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll clean and restore your storm damage in Moorhead, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

Blizzard in Barnesville?

1/17/2021 (Permalink)

We have the advanced training, experience, and equipment to respond to any storm damage scenario in Moorhead!

Surviving a Winter Storm

The end of 2020 came with a major winter storm that caused blizzard conditions in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. According to an article in AP News, residents were told to stay home because a foot of heavy, wet snow fell on top of a sheet of ice, making travel dangerous and difficult. SERVPRO® of Moorhead has been helping the Barnesville community with storm damage cleanup and restoration for years, and we offer these tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you survive during a winter storm:

• Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, stay inside.
• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
• Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away.
• Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.

Call Us Today!

SERVPRO® of Moorhead has a team of highly trained restoration technicians available to assist Barnesville residents 24 hours a day. Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll clean and restore your storm damage “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

High Wind Damage in Moorhead?

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24 hours a day in the Moorhead area.

Weather Forecast

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the 2020 to 2021 winter season will see above normal snowfall in the east and the coldest periods will be in early to late December, late January, and late February. High winds and snowstorms are known to cause damage to homes and commercial businesses in Englewood, and Mother Nature doesn’t wait for a convenient time to strike.

SERVPRO® of Moorhead is ready to respond to any storm damage emergency you may have, and our team of storm restoration specialists are on call 24 hours a day to mitigate any sized property damage. Because we can access equipment and technicians from over 1700 franchises across the state and country, we will always have the equipment and resources needed to tackle any size job!

We know that every minute counts when mitigating storm damage, and we are proud of our fast response time. Typically, we can be onsite within four hours of your call. Once on-site, we will immediately begin securing the structure and use scientific drying principles to dry the area completely. By the time we complete the restoration process, it will look as if there was never any damage to begin with!

Call Us!

When your home or business experiences storm damage, SERVPRO® of Moorhead is Here to Help.® Call us today at 218-236-7447. We’ll clean and restore your property damage in Englewood, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

Tips for Staying Safe During a Storm

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Moorhead is Here To Help.

Common safety rules and precautions state that the public should generally try to stay inside of a safe area or building when a lightning storm or thunderstorm occurs. There are many commercial buildings in the Moorhead area. SERVPRO® of Moorhead wants to share the following safety tips for staying safe during a thunderstorm while inside a commercial building:

• Stay away from all windows or glass walls, especially during a lightning storm
• Unplug appliances if possible
• Pay attention to all alerts and warnings, as a thunderstorm can develop into a tornado if powerful enough
• Avoid running water if possible since electricity can travel through plumbing

Weather is unpredictable. Although the weather can be predicted, it can also change in an instant without much warning. If a thunderstorm does happen to turn into tornado weather in Moorhead, consider the following tips:

• If the commercial building has a basement or storm cellar, head there immediately
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck in the event of flying debris or shattered windows
• Do not leave the safe area until the local alerting system says it is safe to do so

Remember, SERVPRO of Moorhead is here to help. Our trained team members will show up ready to go and can assist in cleanup and restoration after a thunderstorm, lightning storm, and even a tornado. 

SERVPRO^® of Moorhead is Independently Owned and Operated.

Link: https://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning

Emergency Kit for Evacuation for the Deaf, Blind, and Service Animals in Moorhead

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Moorhead wants you to be ready for any disaster.

Storm Damage & Evacuation in Moorhead

Low vision or hearing loss may make a power outage more difficult in Moorhead. Evacuation may also be more difficult.

SERVPRO of Moorhead has these tips:

Have an evacuation emergency kit ready.  You can also use it at home.

For people who have low hearing or deafness in Moorhead, consider the following:

• Extra batteries for hearing aids
• TTY
• If you Sign, have a pen and paper for people who do not know Sign
• Backup batteries for any augmentative communication devices

For people who have low vision or blindness in Moorhead, consider the following:

• Use large-print or Braille on labels
• Magnifiers or other assistive devices
• White cane (if you use one)

Storm damage makes life more difficult for service animals too.

For people who have service animals in Moorhead, consider the following:  

• Food, water, and other supplies
• Tell emergency responders that your service animal travels with you
• Shelters and other buildings may not refuse entry to a service animal

SERVPRO of Moorhead is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

Prepare for a Winter Storm Moorhead

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

When ice storms occur trust SERVPRO of Moorhead to make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Moorhead has these tips to help prepare for a winter storm.

Winter Storms in Moorhead can bring high winds, snow, and ice. A winter storm can knock out power, water, and communication. 

SERVPRO of Moorhead wants you to be prepared. Winter storms can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. You can’t prevent a winter storm, but you can minimize storm damage.

• Prepare by gathering emergency supplies. Supplies include warm clothes, extra blankets, flashlights, medicines, and food. Gather any items you will need if you lose power or communication
• Develop a communication plan. Have phone numbers written down in case you cannot use your mobile phone
• Know the winter storm terms. The National Weather Service (NWS) will report a(n):
• ADVISORY when they expect that weather conditions might be hazardous. Be cautious, and the conditions should not be life-threatening 
• WATCH when they predict heavy snow or ice, but cannot yet show when or which areas will be hit. NWS issues a WATCH 12 to 26 hours ahead of the predicted storm 
• WARNING when they expect 4 or more inches of snow or sleet within 12 hours or they expect ¼ inch or more of ice. Keep warm and dry. Minimize driving. Stay indoors
• Tell your local electric company if someone in your home needs power for medical devices. They will make your home a priority
• Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors.

SERVPRO of Moorhead is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1408633655071-32caae446efef4ab2f4fcccdb55f725c/PrepareAthon_WINTER%20STORMS_HTG_FINAL_508.pdf

Be prepared for power outages from storms in Moorhead

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

When storms cause damage, trust SERVPRO of Moorehead.

Managing Without Power in Moorhead 

SERVPRO of Moorhead has seen storm damage lead to power outages.   

A power outage can:

• Disrupt communication
• Make transportation difficult
• Shut down water pipes
• Close businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, ATMS, other services
• Lead to food spoilage
• Lead to contaminated water
• Disable medical devices

During a power outage in Moorhead, be sure to:

• Keep freezer & refrigerator doors closed. It will reduce the chance of food spoilage
• User generators only outdoors and away from windows
• Disconnect appliances/electronics. Power surges can destroy equipment
• Have already set up plan to refrigerate medicines
• For people who use power wheelchairs, have a backup battery.  You may also need a manual chair
• The local power company should already know that someone in your home relies on medical devices
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home or business
• If travel is safe, go to another location for proper heating or cooling
• Check on your neighbors.

SERVPRO of Moorhead is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/index.html

Thunderstorm preparedness in Moorhead

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

Although you cannot prevent thunderstorms, you can prepare for them. SERVPRO of Moorhead wants to help you be prepared.

Thunderstorms are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous.  They can cause severe damage to your home and property in Moorhead. Thunderstorms include lightning and can:

• Include winds over 50 MPH
• Create hail
• Cause flash floods
• Cause tornadoes

In most places, a thunderstorm can happen at any time of the year, and at any time of the day.

SERVPRO of Moorhead knows you cannot prevent a thunderstorm, but you can prepare:

• Know the risk for thunderstorms in Moorhead
• Sign up for your community’s warning system 
• Cut down or trim trees that may fall on your home or office
• Install surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system

SERVPRO of Moorhead repeats the warning, “When thunder roars, go indoors”.  You don’t have to wait for the thunder. If there is a thunderstorm warning, go inside. Once there:

• Unplug appliances
• Do not use landline phones in office or home
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings

If you can’t get inside a building:

• If you are swimming or in a boat, get to land immediately.  Find shelter
• If you are in a car, don’t touch anything metal
• “Turn around. Don’t Drown. '' Avoid flooded roads. 6 inches of moving water can knock you down. One foot of moving water can sweep away your car. 

A lightning strike during a thunderstorm can leave a wake of destruction in its path. This can range from minor electrical issues to fire damage. Lightning is also a major cause of injury or death from weather-related dangers.  Most people survive being hit by lightning, but they often have long-term problems. 

SERVPRO of Moorhead is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1527866280447-8ee0ba123e9a7b91c75b97dfb62cb657/ThunderStorm_May2018.pdf