A Fierce Winter Storm Can Shred a Roof and Ruin Your Home

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Disaster preparedness supplies

Residents in Joliet, IL, are no strangers to a winter storm. Most will pass with little or no damage, but a severe blizzard can leave an entire region reeling from the impact. Just one example, the 1993 “Storm of the Century,” impacted 40% of the population in the United States, caused 10 million homes to lose power, and killed 208 people.

Be Prepared

With some simple steps, you can be ready for even the nastiest winter storm. The National Weather Service recommends that all homes that may expect winter weather should have

• Extra batteries for flashlights
  
• A portable weather radio (consider also having a hand-cranked one)
  
• Emergency no-cook rations and clean water
  
• Extra pet food
  
• Diapers and baby formula
  
• Emergency heat
  
  

Be Extra Careful With Emergency Heat and Generators
There are many options for providing heat in an emergency. However, it’s very easy to cause accidental fires with portable heaters and candles. Even more insidious, ventless heaters and generators create carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless gas that kills over 400 people per year. Read the instructions very carefully and always have a carbon monoxide detector installed when using them. Also, never, ever use a portable generator inside.

Heavy Snow Drops Trees and Caves in Roofs
When snow is wet, it clings to trees like sticky syrup. Ice storms also cause build-up on trees. In both cases, it’s normal for a few homes to suffer major roof damage from falling trees and limbs in a major winter storm.
Snow and ice also build up on roofs. Most modern homes in Joliet, IL, are designed to withstand normal snowfalls, but for roofs without steep pitches, it’s still recommended to remove excess snow to reduce the stress. A roof rake is the simplest way to do this, but you should never attempt to use one while on a ladder or climb onto the roof itself.
If your roof has been damaged, you’ll need a local storm damage restoration company to tarp over the exposed areas as soon as possible. They can then begin the repair process and fix internal water damage as well.