Staying Safe During Storm Alerts | SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect any damage to your home from a recent storm, call SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties.

When it comes to severe weather, there are 42 different kinds of alerts from seven categories. That can be a lot of information to take in, especially if the weather turns scary.

When you learn what warnings or advisories we may have in Missouri, it means you can quickly get to safety. It also means you can take steps and protect your home and loved ones.

A general idea of different kinds of weather and warnings is important, but it is also incredibly important to understand the weather that most often happens right here in Cape Girardeau.

<h4alerts-are-issued">How Alerts Are Issued

How are alerts issued? If a forecast is just a prediction, how is the storm actually monitored? There are multiple factors that answer both of those questions.

The National Weather Service is responsible for forecasting and alerts. There are six regional offices and around 100 forecasting offices, which means localized forecasts and warnings. Our weather alerts come from the St. Louis forecasting office.

The NWS uses several forms of research to create a forecast, including various sensors, solar activity, seismic meters and satellite radar. The kind of research used will change depending on the weather event, but the result is always an accurate forecast.

<h4most-important-alerts-to-understand">The Most Important Alerts to Understand

Understanding alerts for our area is essential, but everyone should also know the difference between a watch and a warning. These alert types are used in every weather event, including thunderstorms, winter storms and flooding events.

A watch means you should prepare for a storm that may be severe. A warning means a severe storm is happening and you should seek safety. Watches cover large areas, while warnings include the county or city where the danger will be.

Our weather around Cape and Scott counties is very seasonally driven, with cold winters and hot summers. We often experience everything from winter storms to tornadoes, so it is essential to understand a wide variety of weather warnings. Living so close to the Mississippi River means that river flooding and flash flooding are a very common risk, so understanding flood warnings and watches is particularly important.

<h4your-home-during-a-storm">Protecting Your Home During a Storm

Understanding alerts before a storm is the first way to protect your home, but there are also other steps you can take to lower your risk of damage.

Maintaining your rain gutters and safely securing outdoor furniture can prevent both flood damage and wind damage.

Have a safe space in a basement or interior room of your home with supplies for your loved ones when you need to ride out a storm, or an exit plan to get out when that is the safest choice.

After the storm, walk your property to access damages, and call us at SERVPRO. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in order to save as much of your home as possible and start restoration faster.

Learn about Missouri weather so that you can stay safe in any storm. Take time and make yourself aware of the different alerts that can be issued and handle the next storm safely.

Experienced storm damage to your home or property? Contact us today for a quick response!