Steps you can take now to prepare for a weather disaster

Posted: August 26, 2022 11:58 pm

In most parts of the country you never know these days when you and your family might face a severe storm, flood, or power outage. As weather disasters become increasingly common, therefore, it makes sense to be prepared well in advance—at all times of the year.

By being ready when an emergency hits you can lessen the damage to your family and your property by having the correct outdoor power equipment on hand—and knowing how to use it.

You need to be prepared year-round as any season can be storm season, says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which represents makers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment.

More and more people are investing in generators—both whole-house and portable—as well as in water pumps and chainsaws to mitigate water damage from floods and damage from fallen trees, he adds.

Kiser notes that today’s outdoor power equipment is lighter, faster, more advanced technologically, and more efficient.

A power source is available for every need, whether it be propane, battery/electric, solar, or gasoline, he says.

How to prepare

Here is Kiser’s advice to get ready for bad weather.

Identify what equipment you will need.

• You will need pole saws or chainsaws to clear downed trees, tree limbs and shrubs around your house.

• Pruners and string trimmers will be needed to remove foliage around your house that is combustible in order to make it less vulnerable to wildfires.

• You will need a portable generator in order to provide power to charge cell phones and key appliances when the power goes out.

• A whole-house generator can keep the appliances and lights on and running.

• Buy and install a carbon monoxide detector.

• Obtain extension cords for your portable generators that are rated for use outdoors. It also is a good idea to add a cover for your generator that you can use in rainy weather. After all, the chances are good that it will be raining when you need to use it outdoors.

• A water pump can help to remove muck and water out of your house and particularly from your basement.

• Ensure you have the right fuel to operate your equipment. Equipment that is powered with gasoline uses E10 or less fuel. Most manufacturers also recommend that you add a fuel stabilizer.

Remember, too, that fuel that is more than 30 days old might cause problems when it is running. It is important, therefore, to buy your fuel just ahead of a forecasted storm.

You should store the fuel safely using only a container that is approved for such use.

• A utility type vehicle is useful to transport supplies and move people in an emergency.

Take these steps to prepare in advance.

• Clear the area around your house using your chainsaw or pole saw.

• Plan where you will set up the generator before you experience an outage. You do not want to look around for the best place once the power is out.

Never set up a generator inside the house or in a garage. Find a place that is away from your house, avoiding any place that puts the generator close to an air intake.

• Make sure that you know how to operate the water pump. You need to know, too, what your pump can remove and those substances that it cannot handle. It will likely be too late to try to find out that information when you are operating the pump in an emergency.

You also will need to know how to operate the water pump to avoid it overheating.

You should, of course, follow all safety procedures so make sure you know what they are before you operate the pump.

• In general, it is essential that you read the directions provided by the maker of every piece of outdoor power equipment that you will use. Each piece of equipment has different requirements for its care and maintenance, so it is important that you read and follow the manufacturer’s manual for that particular item.

You might also want to save a digital copy of the owner’s manual on your phone so that you can easily consult it in an emergency if necessary.

• Practice how to use each piece of equipment. By doing so you can avoid being confused about exactly what you should do when the time comes to do so.

• You should ensure, too, that your batteries are charged and that you have fresh batteries ahead of an outage.

When the emergency hits

• Pay attention to your energy levels and to your health. Preparation for an outage, bad weather, and clean-up after a storm can be taxing as well as when the disaster hits.

• Avoid operating power equipment when you are severely fatigued.

• Take regular breaks and drink plenty of water while handling an emergency.

• Always protect yourself with gloves and chaps as well as putting on protection for your eyes and your ears.

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