Tornadoes...what to do

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know 1,200 tornadoes hit the US each year? Omaha, NE is a tornado-prone zone. It is essential to be prepared for natural disasters. Do you know the difference in tornado watch and tornado warning? 

A Watch means conditions are favorable for development. A watch can be issued up to 8 hours in advance of severe weather. It also usually covers a large area. Take necessary precautions in case bad weather strikes. Keep up to date with changing weather status. Have a plan to take shelter in case WARNING status is issued. 

A Warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent. It covers a small area. When a warning is issued, take action immediately. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not attempt to outrun a tornado.

What to do During a Tornado 

Stay Updated on weather alters. Continue to listen to local news sources or weather services for tornado watches and warnings. 

At Home: Go to the lowest level interior room. Stay away from windows and doors. 

At workplace or school: Proceed to your tornado shelter. Do not gather in big open areas, and stay away from windows and doors. 

Outside; Seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately. If no safe shelter is available, lay in a flat ditch or ravine. Cover your head. 

If disaster strikes, call the trusted professionals at SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West Saunders County to make your storm damage, "Like it never even happened."

Tips to get your business ready for the weather ahead

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is over, fall is here, and winter is right around the corner!

Summer is over, Fall is here, and Winter is right around the corner! While not every storm will cripple a business, it is still necessary to be prepared. Along with frigid temperatures and snow, winter can create problems with plumbing and operations. Therefore, it is essential to make a plan for the worst-case scenario.

1. Prepare Your Building-Make sure you check your plumbing and electricity regularly, but even more so when a winter storm is heading your way. Outside plumbing should be shut off and cleared to prevent freezing and possible burst pipes. Additionally, it may be a good idea to secure a generator if your business does not already have one. If your company does have a generator, it is a good investment to have it serviced before the winter weather sets in.
2. Plan for Ice and Snow-Any winter storm is going to bring issues of snow and ice. Being prepared for this situation means having a plow service on contract and ensuring that all walkways and driveways are cleared and salted. It is vital to do everything in your power to ensure that customers do not get hurt on the way into your business.
3. Focus on Inventory-Also, as storms have the potential to cause significant business interruption as well as property damage, it is vital to take an accurate inventory of all your assets. This inventory will be used for insurance claims if property damage results in an inventory loss. You should move stock to a secure and climate-controlled area, photographing and documenting everything. This will help streamline the process if a claim is made.
4. Make a List of Contacts-While taking inventory is necessary, it is also crucial to make a list of emergency contacts. This list should include all personnel who are essential to your operations. Additionally, you should include a disaster restoration specialists in the Council Bluffs area in case of an emergency.
   
   Winter storm season can produce significant threats to business operations. Massive snowfalls and ice storms can wreak havoc on you Omaha business, so it is essential to have a plan. 

Call SERVPRO of Council Bluffs today at (712)256-6616 and schedule one of our marketers to come to your business to help you with an Emergency Readiness Plan at no cost to you!

Spring Showers Bring Flowers (and floods)

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Council Bluffs, along with what we guess is many others, are relieved to see cold weather leave Western Iowa for awhile. However, we're reminded to be careful what we wish for when the potential for heavy rain sneaks into our weather forecast. Although a better replacement for winter storms in the eyes of many, spring showers present a multitude of varying characteristics that may not be so fun to deal with. The timeline below is to provide you as a home or commercial business owner with helpful information about what happens when water invades your home or business.

Water Damage Timeline - Within Minutes

Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

Drywall begins to swell and break down.
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
Furniture begins to swell and crack.
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
Metal begins to rust and corrode.
Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
Paint begins to blister.
Wood flooring swells and warps.
Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

Conclusion:

The best way to mitigate the most potential damage caused by flooding or a storm is to get immediate assistance in the face of an emergency situation. That's where SERVPRO of Council Bluffs comes in. The spring showers won't last forever, and neither will the water damage caused if treated quickly and effectively. In the face of pending water disaster, contact SERVPRO of Council Bluffs anytime at (712) 256-6616. Our SERVPRO of Council Bluffs Disaster Response Team is available 24/7 to help make any mess like it never even happened!

Save Your Belongings After A Storm Event

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Storm and water damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Council Bluffs understands that your home is more than a structure; your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Council Bluffs specializes in restoring contents damaged by storms and other water damage events. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We'll pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Electronic Cleanup

Water-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by water. SERVPRO of Council Bluffs will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. It starts by cleaning the exterior of electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document/Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the water damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO of Council Bluffs can save a great deal and help minimize additional water damage.

Depending on the type of documents and the level of water damage, we have five options for the restoration of documents:

1. Air Drying
2. Dehumidification
3. Freezer Drying
4. Vacuum Freeze Drying
5. Vacuum Thermal Drying

if you or anybody you know ever has any questions relating to services offered, feel free to call SERVPRO of Council Bluffs 24/7 at 712-256-6616. We look forward to hearing from you!