Spring brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, the peak of tornado season in Tennessee. As homeowners, preparing your property and having a safety plan in place can make all the difference. Whether you're new to the area or a long-time resident, here are some essential tornado preparedness tips to help safeguard your home and family.
1. Know Your Risk & Have a Plan
Tennessee is no stranger to severe storms. Tornadoes can form quickly, leaving little time to react.
✅ Sign up for emergency alerts through local news stations and weather apps.
✅ Create a family tornado plan that includes a designated safe space (like a basement or an interior room without windows).
✅ Practice tornado drills with your household so everyone knows where to go.
2. Secure Your Home Before a Storm Hits
Strong winds and flying debris can cause major damage. Here’s how to fortify your home:
✔️ Trim trees and remove loose branches that could become hazardous projectiles.
✔️ Secure outdoor furniture, grills, and trash cans to prevent them from being picked up by high winds.
✔️ Reinforce doors and windows with storm shutters or impact-resistant glass.
3. Build an Emergency Kit
A tornado emergency kit ensures you have essentials if power is lost. Stock up on:
🔦 Flashlights & extra batteries
📻 Battery-powered weather radio
💊 First-aid supplies & medications
🥫 Non-perishable food & bottled water (enough for at least 72 hours)
📃 Copies of important documents (ID, insurance policies, emergency contacts)
4. Review Your Homeowners Insurance
After a tornado, dealing with damage is stressful. Check your insurance policy to ensure it covers tornado-related losses, including roof and structural damage. If you're unsure about your coverage, speak with your insurance provider.
5. After the Storm: Assessing Damage & Recovery
Once it’s safe to go outside:
⚠️ Check for structural damage before re-entering your home.
⚠️ Avoid downed power lines and report hazards to emergency services.
⚠️ Document any storm-related damage with photos and contact your insurance company for next steps.
Stay Safe & Be Prepared This Tornado Season
At Elevate Real Estate Brokerage, LLC, we care about your home and safety. Taking proactive steps now can minimize damage and protect what matters most. If you're looking for expert advice on storm-proof homes or need assistance with buying/selling in Tennessee, we’re here to help!
📍 Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe.
