Rain Rain Go Away!

Spring often brings crazy weather, especially here in Michigan. Everything from major thunderstorms to tornados are possibilities (and snow showers too for us Michiganders). Are you and your home prepared to weather the storms? Here are a few things to check out to help you get prepared.

·        Make sure your gutters are clean and draining properly. You want to ensure that heavy rainfall is directed away from the foundation of your home. If need be, add gutter extensions so that water is draining about 5 feet away from your home.

·        If your yard has low areas that tend to flood, it may be a good idea to alter the landscape or add French drains so that water is directed away from your home.

·        Review your homeowner’s insurance to see about coverage in case of flooding. Unfortunately, many policies do not offer much coverage for this situation.

·        Tornado season for northern states such as Michigan is late spring through early summer and typically tornados occur between the hours of 3:00pm to 9:00pm. If there is a tornado warning in your area, make sure your windows and doors are closed and stay away from them. Head for a windowless bathroom or closet on the lowest level of your home. If you are in your car, pull over and keep your seatbelt on. Make sure you duck your head below the level of your windows.

It’s always a good idea to review your home’s insurance policy to familiarize yourself with your coverage in cases of emergency. If you are in an area that is prone to flooding and/or tornadoes, you may want to investigate upgrading your insurance so that should something happen to your home, you know you are covered to make repairs. Stay safe out there!