Here in Texas, we’re no strangers to severe weather. Sure, there was that big winter storm in '21, but summer storms can pack a powerful punch, too.

Of course, summer is also home to hurricane season, with the heightened risk of high winds and torrential rains creating chaos along the Gulf Coast and further inland. And then there are the big storms that occur as hot and cool air collide, particularly as the season starts to change.

Fortunately, a little forethought today might mean the difference later between experiencing a summer storm comfortably or having to deal with costly property damage. Here are some tips to help you “weather” summer storms.

Prepare your yard or patio

• When storms are predicted, make sure that there is nothing that could blow around and damage your home or patio. This includes plant stands, birdhouses, wind chimes and other yard decorations.
• Store lawn furniture and larger items in a garage or other safe space or learn practical ways to tie down big items, such as sheds and grills. However, because propane is flammable, it’s not recommended¹ to put those tanks indoors. Instead, keep them outdoors, secured to trees or to the outside of your house.
• Keep your yard clean. Trim trees and branches near your house that could fall during high winds. But, because experts recommend only trimming live oak trees in fall and winter,² it’s especially important to take care of this task long before summer arrives. (If you have older or very large trees near your home, consider having a certified arborist assess their health and stability.)
• Keep drains and gutters clear to allow water to drain properly. Checking gutters before an impending storm will be a quick and easy procedure if you’re cleaning them regularly (about every six months). Gutter cleaning³ is fairly simple to undertake, fortunately.

Ready your home or apartment

• Purchase surge protectors to protect electronics from sudden electrical surges. During storms, avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
• If your house is situated on a hill or in an open, flat area, it might be more likely to attract lightning. Consider buying a lightning rod or investing in a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances and electronic devices.
• Make sure your entire family knows where to go in your house or apartment to be safe from high winds or tornadoes. Emergency management professionals recommend taking shelter⁴ in an interior room on the lowest level of your home, away from windows, doors and outside walls.
• Keep your cell phone charged when severe weather is a possibility. Purchasing an external battery for your phone can also be handy to have. Some external batteries can provide multiple charges. Be sure it’s always charged and ready to go in the event of prolonged electrical outages. You may also want to consider downloading a free weather app to receive important alerts. An inexpensive portable, battery-powered or hand-crank radio⁵ can also provide weather-related news if the power goes down.
• When hurricanes loom, keep sufficient food, medication, bottled water and pet food on hand to last two or three days, minimum. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website, Ready.gov, can get you started with a list for building a basic disaster supplies kit.⁶ They also provide suggestions for supplies to gather for unique needs, seniors and pets.
• Before summer storms arise, take some time to conduct an inventory of your belongings and take photos of valuable items. Save the list and any photos on a flash drive or in the cloud⁷ so that you’ll have easy access should you need to file an insurance claim.

A special word about floods

Although destructive floods aren’t commonplace in Central Texas, they can occur anywhere it rains. While you may live in an area regarded as low risk for flooding, Bexar County Emergency Management⁸ reminds us: “Flood risk isn't just based on history; it's also based on a number of factors including rainfall, topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and tidal-surge data, and changes due to new construction and development.”

Did you know, just one inch of water⁹ can cause $25,000 of damage to your home? Yet flood damage is not usually covered under typical home insurance policies.

Wondering if flood insurance is right for you? Visit the FEMA’s online Flood Map Service Center.¹⁰ Type in your address, and it’ll indicate if you are in a designated flood-prone area. With this information in hand, you and your insurance agent can then start a serious conversation about the pros and cons of purchasing flood insurance.

The takeaway

Naturally, the best time to meet with your insurance agent is long before lightning, storms, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes strike.The RBFCU Insurance Agency team is knowledgeable about what type of policies you need to ensure that your most important assets — you, your family and your home — are covered in severe weather.

We’re available to conduct a review of your policy, or you can request an online quote* today.