Spring is the season when nature wakes back up after a long winter's nap and everything begins growing again, fresh and new. Spring is also the season here in the Midwest that brings stormy weather along with it. Tornadoes, hail, lighting, and other natural occurrences can be dangerous, and our Missouri storm damage experts witness a lot of damage to buildings in the areas that are hit.

Midwest Renovation has a Certified Storm Damage Division, as well as a Certified Catastrophe Assessment Team that can assess the damage done to your home or office by a storm and give you an estimate as to what it will take to fix any problems found. This inspection is done at no cost or obligation to you, and we will work with any insurance company to get the job done.

Tornadoes are a big threat in the Midwest between the months of March-May. Weather alerts are great for keeping you prepared, but sometimes bad weather strikes quickly and with little or no warning. If you make plans now, before an emergency situation, you have a better chance of getting through it safely and confidently. 

Before A Tornado

• Have an emergency kit ready
  You may have to take shelter for a lengthened period of time, and you may be without power for a while once the storm passes. Having an emergency kit handy with the following items can be very helpful.
• water
• canned or dried food
• battery powered radio
• extra batteries
• first aid kit
• candles and matches
  
  
• Have an emergency plan prepared
  At both home and at work, have a plan in place so that everyone knows where to go in case of an emergency for shelter. Also make sure everyone knows what to do in case they are separated from everyone else.
  
• Charge your cell phone
  If you know that weather that could cause power outages is a possibility, make sure your cell phone is fully charged, and if you have backup power banks, charge those too. You may need to call for help during or immediately after the storm.
  
• Keep yard clear of debris
  Dead trees can easily be blown over during high winds, and any fallen branches or other loose items outside can be blown into the building, breaking windows and causing holes. Keep your yard clean and free of these things to lessen the possibility of damage during a storm. 

During A Tornado

• Get to a safe room
  The safest place to be during a tornado is on the lowest level of the building, preferably below ground, like a basement or storm cellar. A small interior room with no windows, such as a hallway, closet, or bathroom, can work too. Keep away from outside walls, doors, and windows.  
  
• Get dressed
  You don't want to get caught in your pajamas and socks if a part of your building is torn away and the rain and wind come inside. Even if it's the middle of the night and you're not completely dressed in daytime clothing, at least have on a pair of sturdy shoes in case you have to get away from a damaged building quickly.

After A Tornado 

• Alert family & friends
  Let anyone that may be worried about you know that you are safe after a big storm.
  
  
• Stay out of damaged buildings
  What looks like a small amount of damage could pose hidden dangers. If any damage at all has happened to a building, stay out until it can properly be inspected and approved for re-entry.
  
• Watch for debris and downed power lines
  When you go outside of the building, keep an eye out for any debris that has landed in a way that could still pose a threat. There may also be downed power lines or exposed wires. Make sure the proper authorities are aware of these and stay a safe distance away from them.
  
  
• Take photos of the damage
  It may take a little time to get someone from the insurance company out to take a look at the damage done to your property, especially if a lot of buildings in your area have been affected. Take pictures of everything right after the event, after the area has been deemed safe, so that you have a record of the damage.
   
• Call Midwest Renovation
  Our Missouri renovation company has local offices all around the state, and we have people on staff that have worked in both the roofing industry and the insurance industry. They know the best approach to take to make sure everything happens quickly, effectively, and with 100% customer satisfaction. Our storm damage inspectors are highly trained, and we require them to pass a rigorous certification process before we'll allow them out into the field.