Back

Summer Home Tips: How to Protect Your Home During Storm Season

Summer 2020 might be looking a little different with COVID-19, but the global pandemic has not stopped the summer weather and summer storms. With so much going on in our world it can be easy to forget about and ultimately be unprepared for the alarming and unpredictable summer storms.

Did you know? The Spring and Summer seasons have the most destructive storms and bring about the most damage to homes. Each year, thunderstorms alone cause almost $15 billion in property damage and Hailstorms cause approximately $1 billion of property damage. Spring and Summer thunderstorms have winds that can reach over 100 mph and result in severe roof and house siding damage. Flooding causes billions of dollars a year in damage to homes and sometimes results in total loss of residences.

Spring and Summer bring beautiful weather, weekends down the shore, backyard BBQs and more often than not, prepping your home for these intense and fast-moving storms isn’t the first thing on homeowner’s minds. Here are some easy tips that you should follow so you are prepared for the not-so-fun aspect of the warmer weather.

  1. If you weren’t able to get routine maintenance on your roof and the foundation at the start of the season, do so now! Cracks in the roof or cracks in the foundation are the number one cause of flooding damage.
  2. Take a survey of your property and make note of any trees or limbs that are too close to your home. Be sure to cut them down if safe to do so OR contact a local company to have them trim any unwanted branches. Powerful 100 mph thunderstorm winds can cause trees and branches to fall on your property and damage the siding, windows, or worst case your roof.
  3. Make a list of all the important and expensive possessions and move them off the floor in case of flooding. Invest in some waterproof bins and shelving to keep your possessions safe and stored off the ground.
  4. When a storm warning is issued, be sure to move all outside furniture, plants, etc. indoors before a summer storm hits. With strong wind and rain, your outdoor materials could move around and either get damaged or damage your home.
  5. Create and maintain an emergency kit. Follow this checklist to make sure you have the necessities in case of a storm emergency.
    • Flashlight(s) + extra batteries.
    • Battery-powered weather radio + extra batteries.
    • Non-perishable foods (canned goods and dry foods. Be sure to check expiration dates and replace as needed).
    • Multiple jugs of water.
    • First aid kit.
    • Fire extinguisher.
    • Warm clothes and blankets.
    • Paper documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and other significant legal papers. Be sure to keep these either in a firebox or if you do not have one, any waterproof bag or bin.
  6. Most importantly - contact your insurance agent to ask about your policy. If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your agent and work with them to make sure your policy fits your location and any storms that could come your way.

Information Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Share:

What Our Clients Are Saying

Providing quality and prompt service for our policyholders is of the utmost importance for everyone from our Customer Service Team to our Claims Team and we take great pride in the feedback we receive.

The customer services was great, they listened to me , send the right people to assess the damage of my roof. The adjuster, promptly attended the claim and the check to do the repairs was processed very quickly. I would recommend The Philadelphia Contribution-ship, furthermore they are local and will...

George M. Middletown, DE 19709

In August, at age 79, we bought our dream house. In October we learned the sewer system was comletely destroyed and a sinkhole had formed under our house. We had only had our insurance with the Philadelphia Contributionship for 2 months when this happened. I checked our coverage with Karen...

Tori H. Camp Hill, PA 17011

During the most recent storm, I experience property damage. I called my insurance carrier and was quickly assigned to Laurie D, she went out of her way to ensure I understood the process. She demonstrated patience and compassion when explaining the process and next steps. Additionally, after giving me very...

Sherwin A. Williamstown, NJ 08094

The customer services was great, they listened to me , send the right people to assess the damage of my roof. The adjuster, promptly attended the claim and the check to do the repairs was processed very quickly. I would recommend The Philadelphia Contribution-ship, furthermore they are local and will...

George M. Middletown, DE 19709

In August, at age 79, we bought our dream house. In October we learned the sewer system was comletely destroyed and a sinkhole had formed under our house. We had only had our insurance with the Philadelphia Contributionship for 2 months when this happened. I checked our coverage with Karen...

Tori H. Camp Hill, PA 17011

During the most recent storm, I experience property damage. I called my insurance carrier and was quickly assigned to Laurie D, she went out of her way to ensure I understood the process. She demonstrated patience and compassion when explaining the process and next steps. Additionally, after giving me very...

Sherwin A. Williamstown, NJ 08094

See All Testimonials

Obtain a no-obligation quote estimate in less than 3 minutes

Get a Quote
You are using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer. To ensure security, performance, and full functionality, please upgrade to an up-to-date browser.