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On average, Greater Kansas City experiences 40 to 60 thunderstorms per year. Thunderstorms are short-lived weather disturbances that may include thunder, lightning, strong winds, heavy rain, hail, and flooding. They are typically 15 miles in diameter and last for about 30 minutes.
While severe thunderstorms consist only 10 percent of storms in the United States, all thunderstorms are considered dangerous. This is why preparing for a storm and water clean up is critical if you live in Kansas City, MO.
A thunderstorm can be classified as severe if it develops hail at least three-quarter inches in diameter, winds of at least 58 miles per hour (mph), or it affects a location for an extended time.
When and What To Expect From a Thunderstorm?
Thunderstorms usually strike during the spring and summer months. They occur in the late afternoon and evening in Kansas City. It’s always best to be well-prepared for storms as they can happen at any time of the year.
Where Are the Most Common Areas of Flooding?
Puddles on roads do not impact daily life significantly, but torrential rains and flash floods can endanger your life and property.
In Kansas City, those who live in low-lying areas, near bodies of water, and downstream from a dam face flood hazards during storms. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reminds everyone to be wary of seemingly harmless areas in dry weather, such as creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, gullies, and small streams.
Are There Areas To Check or Reinforce for Your Home?
Prevent or reduce flood losses by performing a visual check of your home. Here are potential areas of concern:
- Direction of the land’s slope: Is it sloping away from your property, creating a drain toward your structure from multiple directions?
- Grading around your home: Ensure proper grading around your foundation, with downspouts draining at least 10 feet away.
- Risk mitigation in the lowest elevation of your home: If you experience basement flooding, consider elevating the utilities and belongings stored in the area.
- Sanitary backflow prevention: If your sanitary system pressurizes when it rains, get a backflow preventer to protect your structure.
- Flood and foundation insurance: Purchase flood insurance, together with foundation insurance if possible, to help you recover losses and cover the potential costs of property restoration and water removal in Kansas City.
What Safety Precautions Should I Take?
Equip yourself with the correct information and tools to prevent accidents or loss of life and avoid damage to your property:
- Keep abreast of weather updates through the internet, radio, television, or the NOAA Weather Radio.
- Stay indoors when there’s an ongoing thunderstorm – don’t go outside until 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.
- If you can’t get inside your home or building, stay in a hard-top vehicle (not a convertible).
- Secure outdoor objects that could be blown away.
- Shutter windows and secure outside doors.
- Unplug electrical appliances and devices to prevent severe damage caused by a power surge.
- Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could break away and cause serious injuries.
- During the recovery period after flooding, inspect your property for storm and water damage only when it is safe to do so.
- Save the contact details of your local emergency manager and volunteer organizations offering aid in times of disaster.
- Have the phone number of your go-to provider of water removal in Kansas City ready in case you need property restoration and water clean up services.
The mud water left by floodwater can contain oil, chemicals, and sewage. These can pose severe hazards to your family’s health. Also, if there’s raw sewage in the water, it’s a sign to get your sewer system serviced to prevent any damage from becoming worse.
Part of your preparation is to determine who to call when you need professional water clean up after a storm and flooding in your home. Having a reliable team on board when disaster strikes can alleviate your stress and help you get back on your feet should a storm damage your property. Call Restoration 1 of Kansas today, and our friendly team will be in touch with you.
