When Storms or Floods hit St. Joseph or Maryville, SERVPRO is ready!

10/25/2023 (Permalink)

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage

SERVPRO of St. Joseph, Maryville specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit St. Joseph, Maryville, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 2,000 franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today St. Joseph, Maryville 816/232-7711

Summer Storms & Staying Safe

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of St. Joseph is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summer Storms & Staying Safe | SERVPRO® of St. Joseph

Summer is almost unofficially over, but the hot days aren’t. We are wrapping up vacations or enjoying the last few days of the pool or beach and soaking up the sunshine.

But while sunny days seem to be the norm, there’s a lot of rain, too. Some say that summer time causes more storms, and it’s totally true.

In most parts of the country, there are atmospheric conditions that create moisture and warm air, which helps create thunderstorms.

Here locally, we’re no exception, and our rainiest months occur during the spring and summer.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Yes, wetter weather is a common part of summer, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it with the same respect that you would any other weather event. Make sure to pay attention to weather alerts and reschedule outdoor events if you need to.

By keeping up with weather alerts you can stay prepared. Purchasing an NOAA Weather radio means you can still receive alerts even if there is no power.

While flooding is always possible, it’s not very predictable, so if you feel there’s a chance for it to happen, you should make plans to stay home and stay dry. Extreme storms can also bring about high winds that cause flying debris to damage your property.

Dozens of people die every year because of storm-related accidents. By staying alert and keeping up with yard maintenance, you can help reduce your risk of danger.

Keeping Your Family Safe

Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the nearest drop of rain, so if you see lightning, it’s best to get indoors. And stay indoors until you haven’t heard thunder for at least thirty minutes.

Take extra precautions inside the home by staying away from windows. Also, stay away from water by avoiding baths or showers.

In case of tornadoes or flooding, make sure you keep an emergency kit prepared and in safe reach. Know your evacuation route so that you don’t have to figure it out at the last minute.

Flooding can be extremely dangerous, so make sure you stay off the roads. Travel can be dangerous especially considering that it only takes two foot of water to carry your vehicle away.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.

What Makes a Thunderstorm “Severe”?

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Lightning

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of St. Joseph if you experience any damage.

Missouri is no stranger to inclement weather, especially thunderstorms. These types of storms typically come our way in the spring and summer months.

Many thunderstorms can pass through our area without much notice or damage, but others are quite capable of causing serious damage to property and people. But how do you know how threatening these storms will be? A simple distinction in the forecast: “severe.”

A thunderstorm watch or warning means that a storm is coming that has thunder and lightning. A severe thunderstorm watch or warning means that you can expect thunder and lightning, as well as hail that is at least one inch in diameter and straight-line winds that register as at least 58 miles per hour.

The Differences Between a Thunderstorm and a Severe Thunderstorm

Lightning strikes. Lightning is certainly one of the most dangerous parts of a thunderstorm, being responsible for injury to people (reportedly 300 injuries every year) and damage to property. Lightning is able to start house fires and strike and fell trees onto permanent structures. Because thunder is a result of lightning, you can’t have one without the other, so if you hear thunder, there will be lightning within a 15-mile radius.

Hail damage. Hail that is associated with severe thunderstorms has to be at least one inch or larger, but hail has the ability to grow to softball size under the right conditions! Given the size and speed at which it falls, hail is able to cause considerable damage. If cars are uncovered, pets or people are exposed to the elements, and shingles and siding are impacted, the damage could be very serious.

Flash flooding. While it would be logical to believe that flooding isn’t possible in non-designated flood plains, flash floods are possible anywhere under the right conditions: heavy rain, clogged storm drains, overfilled roadside ditches and other hazards. Flooded roadways are extremely susceptible to hydroplaning, flood damage to vehicles, and even taking a car away with the tide.

Thunderstorms can cause damage to businesses and homes that require professional recovery assistance. As a leader in the restoration industry, we are committed to helping you get your property back to pre-storm condition. Contact us to find out how we can help!

The Steady Climb of Severe Weather Cost

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of St. Joseph to start the restoration process.

We all made it through 2020, and after a year like that, this is something to be celebrated! 2020 brought some of the most record-setting weather disasters. Of all the years in history for which we have data, 2020 was the most financially destructive.

Disasters are defined as events that cause at least a billion dollars in damages! And in 2020, we saw 22 of these severe weather disasters, 14 of which were from severe thunderstorms. The season was so active that the NWS had to refer to the Greek alphabet just to name all of the storms that came our way.

Severe Storms Can Change Quickly

Hurricanes have always been known as one of nature’s most powerful storms, but even still, the severe storms are starting to catch up. In fact, the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes.

In 2020, we had 22 official weather disasters, and 14 of these were severe thunderstorms, some of which produced tornadoes. Thunderstorms become severe when there’s a chance of hail and strong winds, and while we hear it often, we seem to forget just how quickly it can change.

Eastern Nebraska knows how quickly it can change because in August 2020, there seemed to be a typical line of thunderstorms that exploded into something called a derecho (think of something like a tornado, but with straight-line winds instead of swirling ones, combined with a heavy thunderstorm). This potent storm destroyed more than 10 million acres of corn fields, almost half the state’s corn crop—that’s over 11% of the entire country’s corn fields.

In St. Joseph, we know how severe and dangerous tornadoes can be! The last major ER-2 tornado happened in 2017 and left a small community in pieces.

Higher, Higher, Higher Costs

Severe weather is steadily climbing to catch up with the financial burdens of hurricanes! 2020 was the 10th consecutive year with at least eight billion-dollar disasters.

During 2018 and 2019, there was a combined total of $136 billion in damages. And the year 2017 set the highest total on record with a total of over $300 billion.

Thunderstorms can become severe and disastrous in a matter of only minutes, so as a home or business owner, it’s essential to take whatever precautions are possible to minimize damage to your property and take care of your loved ones.

Like the year 2020, we know that drama arises and no matter how much you try to prepare, it’s not always going to work in your favor! If you happen to have damage, it’s important to know you’ve got a friend in the restoration industry whose goal it is to recover your valued items and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.

The Steady Climb of Severe Weather Cost

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Yield sign Warning

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of St. Joseph to start the restoration process.

We all made it through 2020, and after a year like that, this is something to be celebrated! 2020 brought some of the most record-setting weather disasters. Of all the years in history for which we have data, 2020 was the most financially destructive.

Disasters are defined as events that cause at least a billion dollars in damages! And in 2020, we saw 22 of these severe weather disasters, 14 of which were from severe thunderstorms. The season was so active that the NWS had to refer to the Greek alphabet just to name all of the storms that came our way.

Severe Storms Can Change Quickly

Hurricanes have always been known as one of nature’s most powerful storms, but even still, the severe storms are starting to catch up. In fact, the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes.

In 2020, we had 22 official weather disasters, and 14 of these were severe thunderstorms, some of which produced tornadoes. Thunderstorms become severe when there’s a chance of hail and strong winds, and while we hear it often, we seem to forget just how quickly it can change.

Eastern Nebraska knows how quickly it can change because in August 2020, there seemed to be a typical line of thunderstorms that exploded into something called a derecho (think of something like a tornado, but with straight-line winds instead of swirling ones, combined with a heavy thunderstorm). This potent storm destroyed more than 10 million acres of corn fields, almost half the state’s corn crop—that’s over 11% of the entire country’s corn fields.

In St. Joseph, we know how severe and dangerous tornadoes can be! The last major ER-2 tornado happened in 2017 and left a small community in pieces.

Higher, Higher, Higher Costs

Severe weather is steadily climbing to catch up with the financial burdens of hurricanes! 2020 was the 10th consecutive year with at least eight billion-dollar disasters.

During 2018 and 2019, there was a combined total of $136 billion in damages. And the year 2017 set the highest total on record with a total of over $300 billion.

Thunderstorms can become severe and disastrous in a matter of only minutes, so as a home or business owner, it’s essential to take whatever precautions are possible to minimize damage to your property and take care of your loved ones.

Like the year 2020, we know that drama arises and no matter how much you try to prepare, it’s not always going to work in your favor! If you happen to have damage, it’s important to know you’ve got a friend in the restoration industry whose goal it is to recover your valued items and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.

How High-Quality Home Restoration Services Are Different with SERVPRO® of St. Joseph

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Working with SERVPRO gives you access to advanced technology you would expect when working with a national brand. Contact SERVPRO of St. Joseph today

Do you know the most common reasons homeowners file claims that require restoration services?

The answers might not be what you’d think.

Missouri residents can count on cold, snowy winters and severe storms during the spring and summer months. Across the country, severe weather issues, such as wind, hail and rain, cause a great deal of damage to homes.

Home accidents and appliance malfunctions are also common causes of fire and water damage at home.

While we will admit that our teams have never worked on two identical restoration projects, we have found that each restoration project we work on has one big thing in common in our years of experience.

It’s the importance of timing, of starting the restoration process as quickly as possible.

The home damage process can move fast, especially if there’s water involved. It can start to damage wood noticeably with warping and cracks within just a few days. Upholstery will start to show signs of water damage with fading, spotting and staining just as quickly.

Our Team Is Ready to Move Fast

Because we understand how the damage process works and why it’s so important to move quickly, we are to help you at any time you need us. Our teams are available to you ²⁴⁄₇. All you have to do is call, and we will get the process started.

The technicians you’ll meet when you work with our team are highly trained experts. They’re ready to assist you with the knowledge and experience from high-level training and the best certifications.

Additionally, our affiliation with SERVPRO gives us access to the advanced technology you would expect working with a national brand. We’ll bring that knowledge and equipment to our work at your home.

If your home is damaged due to fire, water or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Advice to Help You Prepare for Spring Thunderstorms | SERVPRO® of St. Joseph

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience any property damage from spring storms, contact SERVPRO of St. Joseph.

Are you one of the many Buchanan or Andrew County residents with a case of spring fever?

After a cold, dreary winter, we’re getting ready for the warm, sunny days of spring, too.

Many of us are ready to enjoy more time outdoors or tackle some projects. You may want to work on your garden, start grilling again or just visit more local parks.

Spring is a good time to tackle home improvement projects, too. While you’re considering which color to paint your shutters or front door, add some projects to your list that will help protect you from one of spring’s biggest weather hazards—thunderstorms.

We can’t stop storms from hitting the community. But we can do things to protect our homes from them. Here’s what you might want to consider doing.

Spring Home Maintenance Projects

Are these items on your seasonal to-do list?

Don’t let gutter clutter build up. Clean gutters are an excellent way to keep water around your home flowing the right way, instead of causing water damage.

Examine your roof. You don’t want to discover there’s a problem with your roof after a heavy rainstorm. Instead, you’ll want to be sure your roof is in good shape if a storm starts hitting. Check for things like missing shingles and signs of leaks. Repair them.

Check your home’s exterior for possible issues. Look around for overhanging tree limbs, unsecured patio furniture or gazebos. These items can become a problem during storms. Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof or garage and secure anything you can.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

What To Do If The Power Goes Out In The Winter

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

Depending on where you live, power outages can happen frequently in the winter — and not just during winter storms. Rain, sleet, high winds and trees falling can all damage power lines and equipment, leading to blackouts.

If your electricity powers your heat, when the power goes out, it can lead to frozen pipes and overall home damage. Being cold for a period of time can also be hazardous to your health. That’s why it’s incredibly important to be prepared for a power outage in the winter — and know what to do when one occurs.

Here are our tips for preparing for and staying safe during a power and/or heat outage in winter:

Before:

• Put together an emergency survival kit
• Make an evacuation plan and find out where the local heating shelters in your area are located.
• Buy lanterns and/or flashlights.
• Refill heating fuel, oil or propane if you have heating equipment (or emergency heating equipment).
• If you have a fireplace, stock up on wood and matches.
• Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, pet food, diapers, battery-pack phone chargers and flashlight batteries.
• Consider investing in a power generator. You can get one for the whole house, or get a back-up portable generator.
• Wrap any exposed pipes with insulation.
• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• If your water supply could be affected in a power outage (say if you have a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub for sanitation purposes and fill spare containers with enough drinking water for the whole family.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. Now is the time to caulk or weather-strip windows and doors.
• Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned, and get any other secondary heaters (such as pellet or gas stoves) serviced at the beginning of winter to make sure they’re in good, working condition to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If someone in your home relies on electric medical equipment, register with your local power company and/or community emergency program.
• Buy enough warm blankets for the whole family.
• Put a bag of ice cubes in the freezer in case you have to evacuate. If the ice melts and freezes again, it’s a good idea to throw out any food that was in there because it probably spoiled.
• Buy a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio to listen for storm updates.

During An Outage:

• Make sure the outage goes beyond your home by checking to see if your neighbors have lights on. Then report the outage to your electric company.
• Keep doors and windows closed, put towels in front of any drafts.
• Layer your clothes to stay warm, put on a hat, cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs and put on mittens (they’re better than gloves). Huddle under extra blankets.
• Know the signs of frostbite — loss of feeling and color in fingers, ear lobes and the tip of the nose — and call 911 if someone has these symptoms.
• Know the signs of hypothermia — uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness — and call 911 if someone shows these symptoms.
• Don’t open your refrigerator or freezer unless necessary. Food can stay frozen 24-36 hours. Don’t eat any food if the bag of ice in your refrigerator melts. You can use snow drifts as a makeshift freezer, but be aware of attracting animals.
• Listen to the news — don’t go outside if conditions are unsafe.
• Preserve your phone battery and opt to text instead of call to keep your phone lines open.
• Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid a damaging power surge when the power comes on.
• Leave one lamp on so you’ll easily know when power comes back.
• Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from any window or door.
• Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you use candles to light the room, never leave them unattended and keep them away from pets and children.

If You Have to Evacuate:

• Turn off the main breaker, circuit breaker panel or power supply box.
• Turn off the water main, open all taps and drain the water tank.
• If you have a gas heater, turn out the pilot light.
• Unhook the washing machine hoses.

When The Power Comes Back

• Immediately look for burst pipes. If there appears to be flooding anywhere near electric wiring, shut off the power and call a qualified technician.
• Wait to reconnect any appliances until the electrical system has stabilized — start with reconnecting your heating system.
• Turn your heat up a little above the normal temperature to dry and heat the house quickly.
• Throw out any spoiled food.
• Be very cautious going outside to inspect your home for storm damage because downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by show drifts, trees or debris and could be live. If you see any downed wiring, assume the line is live and report it to your utility company. Don’t touch anything the wire is touching.
• Check on and help neighbors if you’re able to.

National Preparedness Month

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

In case of a power outage don't eat food in your Refrigerator that has warmed past 40 degrees.

September is National Preparedness Month and we've learned a lot from our disaster recovery work over the years. Visit SERVPROprep.com now to learn how you can plan for when disaster strikes.

https://www.facebook.com/SERVPRO/photos/a.1413132982261180/2680959125478553/?type=3

Summer Storm Awareness

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

With more severe thunderstorms on their way in our area, be prepared with these safety tips from the American Red Cross!

• Learn about your local community’s emergency warning system for severe thunderstorms
• Discuss thunderstorm safety and lightning safety with all members of your household
• Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hail
• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm
• Make trees and shrubbery more wind resistant by keeping them trimmed and removing damaged branches
• Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home
• Consult your local fire department if you are considering installing lightning rods
• Get trained in first aid and learn how to respond to emergencies
• Put together an emergency preparedness kit
• Review the Be Red Cross Ready - Thunderstorm Safety Checklist

Understanding what to do before, during, and after severe weather hits will make your life much easier! Contact the local office in St. Joseph, Missouri at 816-232-8439 and visit these links from the Red Cross for more detailed information to keep you safe!

• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/thunderstorm.html
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

When Storms or Floods hit St. Joseph, SERVPRO is ready!

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of St. Joseph specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit St. Joseph, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams (https://www.SERVPROstjoseph.com/disaster-recovery) that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 816-232-7711!

Get Prepared For Severe Weather

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

With more severe thunderstorms on their way in our area, be prepared with these safety tips from the American Red Cross!

• Learn about your local community’s emergency warning system for severe thunderstorms
• Discuss thunderstorm safety and lightning safety with all members of your household
• Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hail
• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm
• Make trees and shrubbery more wind resistant by keeping them trimmed and removing damaged branches
• Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home
• Consult your local fire department if you are considering installing lightning rods
• Get trained in first aid and learn how to respond to emergencies
• Put together an emergency preparedness kit
• Review the Be Red Cross Ready - Thunderstorm Safety Checklist

Understanding what to do before, during, and after severe weather hits will make your life much easier! Contact the local office in St. Joseph, Missouri at 816-232-8439 and visit these links from the Red Cross for more detailed information to keep you safe!

• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/thunderstorm.html
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

Emergency Services

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

Winter weather Pointers

SERVPRO of St. Joseph specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Andrew and Buchanan Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 816/232-7711