Summer Storm Damage Risks

7/15/2018 (Permalink)

Storm floods can leave inches of water under your home. Stagnant water can collect bacteria, mosquito eggs and cause excess humidity

Summertime in Los Angeles brings beach days, barbecues and, usually, sunny, cloudless blue skies. Occasionally those skies darken with storm clouds and homeowners are at risk of property damage caused by a number of naturally occurring events. When the weatherman warns of impending summer storms, here are a few things So Cal homeowners should watch out for:

Rain

Summer rains often come down fast and hard, especially in the Valleys, leaving LA area properties at risk of flash floods. When your street seems more suited for transport by boat than automobile, keep a close eye on lower lying areas, especially if your house finds itself in the path of runoff from surrounding hills. Basement and crawlspace flooding is a common problem, but other disasters such a sewer backups or leaks from damaged roofs, windows and doors can create inhospitable conditions in your home.

Wind

Water damage isn't the only concern for homeowners during summer storms. High velocity wind gusts can join the rain and bring down power lines, sparking fires. Powerful storm winds can also tear shingles off roofs, rip large branches off trees and rattle old windows and doors. While you can prepare for potential water damage from storms even when it's dry, it's harder to prepare for when Mother Nature decides to cave in your roof. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Hollywood has experience with such disasters and we can help make your home look as good as new.

Lightning

While seemingly more rare than heavy rain and wind, summer storms also bring lightning and thunder. Indeed, in August, 2017 lightning struck 2,100 times across Southern California in just one week. So while the rumble of thunder might cause you to hide beneath your covers, it's the ensuing lightning strike that can cause bigger problems for homeowners. In particular, lightning strikes can spark fires, especially in the dry and heavily wooded areas of the hills and mountains in Los Angeles, creating wildfires that can rapidly spread and threaten residential and commercial property. While rare, lightning can also strike a home directly, such as one earlier this year in Whittier.

Hail

A rare occurrence, particularly in LA, hail can bring its own unique concerns for homeowners. Small hail in Los Angeles causes buzz on social media, but larger hail can actually put holes in your roof and break windows.

So should rain, wind, lightning or even hail damage your North Hollywood, Universal City, Toluca Lake or Los Angeles property, be sure to call SERVPRO of North Hollywood for a fast response, 24/7 and our highly trained restoration technicians will be on the scene to restore your residential or commercial property "like it never even happened."