What the Hail?- Fairhaven, MA 02719

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

“How about this weather we’re having?” Have you heard or used this conversation starter lately? If you have, odds are it wasn’t in relation to a hailstorm, especially around here. Although hailstorms are not very common in this area, here are some helpful tips just in case those “golf balls” start to fall from the sky!

Preparing for a hailstorm

 If you have time to get prepared before a hailstorm here are some helpful tips to go by:

-It is best to store (if possible) vehicles, boats and other expensive items in a garage.

- Placing garbage bins, patio furniture, umbrellas and umbrella stands into a closed area such as a shed. This can help prevent further damage to your home if winds pick up.

-Making sure all doors and windows are closed.

-Closing blinds and curtains can help keep shattering glass from blowing towards you and your family while seeking shelter inside.

 -Check trees around your home. If you have large branches close to the house it is best to trim them down. These branches can cause more damage during a storm if they were to break off and hit your homes windows.

-Checking your roof is another good step towards preparedness. If you see any broken shingles, getting them replaced right away can help lessen the damage from a hailstorm.

What is hail?

According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hail is a form of solid precipitation that occurs when updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere where they freeze into little balls. They can range from pea size to the size of a grapefruit. As hail is denser and hits with a lot more force than rain does it causes far more damage. According to NOAA, hail causes up to $1 billion in damages to crops and property each year.

Hopefully this never happens to you, but if it does don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Dartmouth/New Bedford. For all your storm related questions. Feel free to reach out to us for help at (508) 946-2397.

*Reference: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)