What to Do In The Aftermath of a South Nashville Tornado?

6/18/2015 (Permalink)

What to Do In The Aftermath of a Tornado?

South Nashville tornadoes can a terrifying, and they can create a great deal of damage as well. Being aware of what you should do after a tornado is very important if you want to protect everyone and prevent the loss of property. The following is a list of tips that can help minimize losses in the aftermath of a South Nashville tornado.

Right after a tornado has occurred, it is vital to stay calm and assess the situation before you do anything. First, you need to make sure that everyone is out of harm's way. Look through the area for standing puddles, leaning or weakened trees, and fallen power lines. If you see any of these things, avoid them completely. If you are on the inside of a building, survey the building for indicators of structural damage, such as damaged walls and cracked ceilings. Make sure that the storm is truly over and that it is safe to go outside before you do so. Remember that hail and lightning are still possible after the South Nashville tornado is over.

When you have verified the safety of your immediate surroundings, find loved ones and ensure their safety. If you are with a group of people and some are injured, have one person call the appropriate emergency services. Since there will probably be many people calling these services, assigning one person to do it for your group will limit the number of people tying up the phone lines.

It is important to look out for the following as well: jagged metal, broken glass, hazardous material spills, nails, and roaming or wild animals that could still be spooked from the South Nashville storm and thus dangerous to people.

Before you try to clean up messes, be sure that you have verification from an emergency professional that the area is safe. Do not try to enter your property if there is any structural damage, bare electrical wiring, fires, or indications that it might collapse. Also, turn off electricity using the electric panel, and shut off gas valves.

When the area is safe for entry, wear protective clothing, such as gloves, goggles, long sleeve shirts, rubber boots, and a breathing mask that can provide protection from hazardous chemicals or any remaining smoke. Once you have gotten your most vital items, such as photo albums and birth certificates, and cleaned any hazardous materials and spilled medication, take pictures of everything in your home so that you can document to the damage for your insurance company.

It is also a good idea to contact a disaster restoration and clean up service. If you live in Tennessee you have access to catastrophe recovery professionals, such as the ones at SERVPRO. These professionals will come to the property, assess the situation, and put together a disaster recovery plan to help minimize damage from the storm. They can also help you in your contacts with the insurance company to reduce your stress during the claim process as much as possible.

Locally Owned Company with National Storm Resources

SERVPRO of South Nashville is locally owned and operated—so we live and work here too, and are proud to be part of the Nashville community. We are also part of a national network of 1,650 with special Disaster Recover Teams that can respond with additional resources during catastrophic storms and major events.

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Flood and storm damage require specialized equipment and restoration techniques. We can respond immediately to storm and flood conditions. (615) 331-0200