SERVPRO of Palm Desert Can Handle Any Kind of Storm Damage!

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage get you down! SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here for you 24/7!

I am sure you know that storms can cause horrific damage and come without notice! We have been there to help after Rainstorms that flood the area and Wildfires which can leave horrible smoke damage! 

SERVPRO is the number one leader in Disaster Recovery with more than 1,700 franchise locations across the country. In the event of a large storm the Disaster Recovery Team is available to rush in and help. This team consists of franchise locations across the state that have the tools, training and resources to handle the unpredictable. 

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

• 2017 California wildfires
• 2017 Hurricane Irma
• 2017 Hurricane Harvey
• 2016 Hurricane Matthew
• 2015 Carolina floods
• 2014 Polar Vortex
• 2012 Sandy
• 2010 Nashville floods

In 2019, a neighboring location in Southern California was getting calls every 5 minutes to help with water/flood damage at both residential and commercial properties. They were able to call in the SERVPRO Storm Team to help them ensure that all of the properties were taken care of and restored as if there wasn’t any water in their buildings! 

You don’t have to worry about storm damage to your property! SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here to help! Give us a call 24/7 at (760) 346-7270!

What To Do If Your House Is Flooded Due To A Storm?

3/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Palm Desert are experts at recovering from storms!

Storm water can build up and cause flooding around your home. The water can find ways to enter into your house and cause a big mess. If your home starts flooding because due to a storm, you should follow the following six steps to get everything back to the way it was.

1. Turn Off the Electricity - Turn off all electrical systems if you can get to your fuse box without walking through water.  If you cannot reach the fuse box without walking through water, leave it alone.
2. Evacuate the Premises - Locate a shelter that is not in the flooded area. Get everyone relocated to the shelter as soon as possible.
3. Call for Help - Once your family members are safe, call for help. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911. No matter what’s going on with the flooded house, the damage has already been done. Your focus must be on you and your loved ones’ well-being. After you’ve verified that everyone is safe and well, you can make calls to the proper parties to get the recovery process underway.  Call Your Insurer, make sure to clarify whether you need to wait for an adjuster to visit your home before you begin the cleanup and repair processes.
4. Document Everything - Document everything so you can show your insurer the extent of the damage. Use the camera on your cell phone to film or photograph all aspects of the issue. The water that’s flooding your home may include sewage or other hazardous material, so you need to take extreme precautions to not touch it. Before going into the home, suit up with appropriate protective gear, such as waders and waterproof boots.
5. Start the Cleanup Process - Cleaning up after a flood is a long, arduous process. You’ll need to remove the water, salvage any personal items you can, dry the space out, and disinfect any areas or objects the water touched.
6. Prevent Mold Damage - Mold is a big problem after a flood—and not just the type of mold that you might find in a damp basement. Toxic mold or black mold can have effects on your health. To avoid mold issues, you’ll need to do two things: keep areas that flooded as dry as possible and treat potential problem areas with a strong cleaner, like a bleach solution. 

The professionals at SERVPRO of Palm Desert are here to help, give us a call at (760)346-7270.

The Advantages of “4” Knowledge

12/6/2019 (Permalink)

Getting caught in a storm and the water has flooded the streets

The Advantages of “4” Knowledge

Throughout life, you plan for many things. You try to structure your education so you’ll have a fulfilling and well-paying job. You may plan a vacation for weeks or even months ahead. Perhaps you made detailed plans for the type of home you wanted to build.

But unfortunately, many of those in the Palm Desert area don’t plan for disasters, natural or man-made. When they happen, you may hear people say things like, “But I never saw it coming,” and “We didn’t have time to react.” Well, the time for action is long before a tragedy befalls you or your property!

According to FEMA, there are four main ways to prepare for disasters that you can and should do NOW:

1. Get informed
2. Make a plan
3. Assemble a kit
4. Maintain your plan and kit
5. Get Informed - Many areas like Palm Desert have local emergency management offices and/or a Red Cross Chapter. These organizations can provide vital information concerning local emergency response arrangements, evacuation plans and emergency shelters. It’s also a good idea to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio that will alert you during any time of the day or night for when possible destructive conditions materialize.
6. Make a Plan

• Conduct a family meeting that will inform everyone what your emergency plans are.
• Have an out-of-town contact your family knows the number to. This is who you’ll call to inform where you are after a disaster strikes.
• Teach your children how and when to call emergency numbers.
• Have a location picked out as the place your family will meet in case you get separated from one another. Make sure everyone knows not only the best escape routes but the safe places to go inside your home if a tornado approaches.
• Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches or valves.
• Have fire extinguishers ready. Show everyone where they’re located and how to use them.
• Inventory your possessions and keep that list along with important documents in a safe deposit box or in the cloud. (On the internet).
• Keep your homeowners or renter’s insurance company’s telephone numbers readily available. (Also, be sure to keep SERVPRO® of Palm Desert’s phone number close at hand!)

3. Assemble a Kit – this is a collection of basic family needs you’ll need after a disaster. These should be stored in a portable container and enough to last you three days. It should include food, water, a battery powered radio, a flashlight, etc. You can find a full list of items for your survival kit at redcross.org.
4. Maintain Your Plan – every six months, review your plans with your family, conduct evacuation drills and restock expiring food and perishables in your kit. Also, confirm your fire extinguisher is recharged and smoke alarm batteries are replaced.

Alan Lakein, an author on personal time management, once wrote, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” That’s very empowering when you think about it. It’s almost like time traveling without a DeLorean or having to mess with all that space-time continuum stuff. Planning ahead for emergencies can also bring you great peace of mind. Think of it as an insurance policy against future disasters without the pesky premiums.

Be Prepared for El Nino

1/22/2016 (Permalink)

Storm Damage

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that a strong El Nino condition will continue through the upcoming winter. Forecaster consensus is that this El Nino could rank amoung the top three such episodes, in terms of strength, since 1950.

Many Cities have already started preparing for potential flooding through a variety of projects including a City-wide cleaning of every storm drain catch basin.

SERVPRO encourages residents and businesses to be prepared and following are some helpful tips:

*Clear gutters, drains, and downspouts after every rainfall to ensure proper flow.

*Appropriately prune large trees and remove green waste and other debris.

*Check to ensure there are no low areas next to your home where storm water might collect.

*Stock a supply of water, food, and medicine in case you lose power or cannot leave home.

*Ensure that you have working flashlights and charged batteries.

*If you live in an HOA, ask if their storm drains and retention basins have been check for proper collection and drainage.

*Check your roof for loose tiles, holes, or signs of leaks.

*Flood damage is not covered by regular homeowners insurance and California's Insurance Commissioner advises residents living in areas at risk for flooding to immediately purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (www.floodsmart.gov).

*If your property is prone to flooding, have sandbags ready. They are available for purchase at home imporovement and hardware stores. The City of Palm Desert will make sandbags available only if severe storms cause local flooding. There can also be sandbags available at your local fire stations. More information about El Nino is available at a variety of sites including www.climate.gov and www.NOAA.gov.