Weather preparedness with Branch: Wind, tornados, and thunderstorms

Wherever you live, severe storms—storms with winds of 40 or more mph—can impact anyone. So it’s important to be prepared, and Branch is here to help you stay safe and keep your stuff safe during significant winds, thunderstorms, or tornados.

Read on for what you can do to prepare yourself and your home against potential dangerous winds and storms. 

What should I do before a severe storm or tornado?

Long-term

Before you ever hear a siren or get a weather alert, there’s a few things you should do to be prepared for storm season:

1. Make a plan: Identify a safe place in your home to shelter—like a basement or lower-level room with no windows—and be sure your entire household is aware of where they should go
2. Prep an emergency kit: This can include supplies like a first aid kit, medications, flashlights, phone chargers or power banks, extra batteries, water and non-perishable food
3. Maintain your home: Keeping trees trimmed and healthy, clearing gutters, periodically checking your roof for loose or damaged shingles, and even installing a whole house surge protector are all smart fixes that will keep you—and your home—safe in an emergency 

Short-term

First, we want to address a common question—What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning? A tornado watch means tornado-like conditions being present that could lead to a tornado developing. A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted by the National Weather Service doppler radar or a weather spotter. If you know a storm or tornado is in your area, or if you’re looking to get ahead of a storm season, there are a few preventative steps you can take to be sure your home is ready and potential damage is avoided or minimized. 

1. Shelter your car: It’s best to keep your car in a garage, if possible, to keep it away from debris that could be carried in the wind.
2. Secure outdoor objects: Bring outdoor furniture or other objects inside, or fasten them together, to keep them secure and prevent the possibility of them damaging your home or vehicle in the wind.
3. Prepare emergency materials: Be sure you have a weather radio with working batteries and a first aid kit ready to go.

What should I do during a severe storm or tornado?

If you’re in your home… Go to a basement or cellar if you have one, or a windowless room on the lowest floor. Bring your pets, too.

If you’re driving, or outside… Get to a shelter or sturdy building if you have time. Don't try to outrun the tornado, and be sure not to park under an overpass—it can act like a wind tunnel. If you can't make it to shelter, NOAA advises leaving the car if you can "safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway." In this case, get to the low area, lie down, and cover your head with your hands. This spot may be a ditch or ravine by the side of the road. If you have no other options, pull over, stop your car, keep your seatbelt on, and cover your body with a blanket or coat while staying low or on the floor of the car.

What should I do after a severe storm or tornado?

After any severe weather has cleared, assess any damage to your car, roof, and windows. Take photos of any damage immediately, especially if you need to make any urgent fixes. File any claims as soon as possible, and as you repair or replace damaged property, keep your receipts to relay what you’ve spent to your insurance company. Keep records of any relevant communications.

We also encourage you to check in on neighbors and your community. And as a member, Branch is always here to answer your questions and help in any way we can.