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Weather Alerts: What You Need to Know | SERVPRO of Rapid City
3/1/2024 (Permalink)
Let SERVPRO of Rapid City help you get from April showers to May flowers.
The spring season is well on its way, and it’s time once again to dust off our rain boots and enjoy warmer and longer days ahead! That also means that rumbling thunderstorms, heavy rain and even severe weather are on the horizon once more.
Even though we can’t control the spring weather, we can certainly all be prepared for it. Our team explains some easy ways to stay connected to the weather forecast and any changing conditions through various alert systems.
We all spend so much time on our phones and are connected to screens all day every day, so it is natural to turn to the internet when it comes to receiving alerts. Wireless Emergency Alerts are alerts that can be issued automatically if you are connected to WiFi if there is a serious situation developing, or you can download a reliable weather app to receive alerts and notifications based on your specific location.
If you go the app route, make sure you are choosing wisely. There are many different kinds of weather apps out there, and they are not all created equally. Avoid the ones that tend to exaggerate forecasts purely for engagement, and stick with nationally recognized organizations instead. You should also consider signing up for the Pennington County weather alerts so you are always in the know!
News stations or local weather channels can also be trusted sources, so turn on your TV whenever there is a system approaching so you can watch it move in real-time. These live updates can help you determine your travel plans or when you need to be seeking shelter.
You should also have at least one alert system in place that will work regardless if we have power or not. Phones, TVs and laptops are great ways to stay connected, but only if we have electricity! Once batteries run out, you could be left in a really vulnerable position if you are caught without a way to receive alerts.
Local weather sirens that are positioned around town can also be a great indicator that something is amiss, but they also shouldn’t be relied on completely if you live in a part of town that makes it hard to hear them.
We recommend investing in an NOAA weather radio! A hand-crank or solar-powered radio can be a really good backup in case we lose power. You can take it with you into your sheltering location, or you can take it with you when you are out inspecting your property after the first wave of weather passes.
Being prepared is something we will always encourage, but we also know that it is not always a foolproof plan. If your home is damaged in a storm this season, give us a call right away so we can address repairs and help you recover completely.
Serious storms can cause serious property damage. Call SERVPRO® 24⁄7 for immediate restoration assistance.