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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

5 Essential Tornado Property Preparation Tips For Dayton Locals

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Dayton tornado damage to home in 2019 Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for more information on our tornado repair services!

A tornado property preparation plan will limit the number of damages.

Tornadoes are the most dangerous of all atmospheric storms. They can demolish well-built buildings, uproot trees, even hurl items into the air like lethal missiles. Strong tornadoes can strike anywhere in the greater Dayton area. The locals of Montgomery County know how the month of May in 2019 was by far the worst tornado season seen in the last few years. 

Tornadoes are unpredictable, but with the start of spring, it's vital to keep ahead of the game so you'll know what to do if one hits the ground. To be tornado-ready, you must understand what to do before, during & after a tornado hits. Keep reading and learn what you can do to keep your loved ones and property safe.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best  

The first step when it comes to tornado preparation is to have a plan. After you have finalized all of your tornado preparation plan details, it is essential to explain the plan to your loved ones so they know what to expect in a tornado emergency. Your well-thought-out tornado preparation plan will alleviate any last-minute panicking because you will know what to do and where to go when you have a tornado property preparation plan in place. Consider the following when creating a tornado property preparation plan:

  • Determine a secure location in your home where family members and pets can safely go to. The best place to seek shelter will be on your lowest floor and avoiding windows. A basement or storm cellar is the safest option.  
  • If in a high rise, choose a hallway in the building's center as a secondary option in case there is not enough time to go to its lowest level.
  • Choose a secure location in a nearby stable building if you live in a mobile home. During a tornado, no mobile home, no matter how well-built, is safe.

The 5 tornado property preparation tips

Preparing your home for a tornado is essential for the safety of your family and property. The following property preparation tips will help you limit the amount of damage:

  1. Trim trees with diseased or decaying branches and limbs. Loose tree branches will shatter windows, garage doors, and roofs, causing severe harm to your house.
  2. Prepare a list of anything that has to be taken indoors in the event of a tornado storm, including furniture, toys, bins, tools, trailers, cars, swings, and everything else that can be picked up and tossed by heavy winds.
  3. Clear the yard of debris – branches & firewood will become missiles in strong winds.
  4. Your garage doors should be secured shut. In certain houses, a garage is a vulnerable spot. The impact from the wind will raise the roof off the house if your garage door is breached.
  5. Install storm shutters to cover and protect windows.

When to expect a tornado in Dayton?

In Dayton, Ohio, every month is in tornado season, but the risk of a tornado is highest in late spring and early summer (April to July). More than half of the tornadoes that have struck the state since 1950 have occurred in May, June, and July. According to data from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

Signs of a tornado

  • The sky will be black and slightly greenish.
  • Air will become very still before a tornado arrives.
  • There is a loud roar, close sounding to that of a freight train.
  • An approaching cloud of debris, even when the funnel is not visible.

Who to call tornado damage repairs

Your property may have been severely damaged even after you follow the tornado property preparation tips listed above. Although your property may need restoration services, we are happy that you have made it out safely.


You can trust the IICRC certified team of professionals at SERVPRO of East Dayton/Beavercreek for quick and reliable tornado property repair services. Our local crews know how devastating tornado damage can be and want to help you every step of the way. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you with your homeowners insurance claim and restore your property!

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