Below are tips I've collected to help keep you and your neighbors safe after severe weather and tornadoes. If you have other suggestions, share them in the comments.
Please repost this message by clicking the "Share" button/arrow below and then "Repost in newsfeed."
👉 To find trusted information from local public agencies on Nextdoor, go to https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed
𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐌𝐀𝐏
1) Go to the Help Map → https://nextdoor.com/discover/?map_type=help_map
2) To get/give help, click "Ask for help"/"Offer help."
3) Add details about what you need help with or how you want to help
4) Add a location: If the location needs to be corrected, use the "Search" field, then click the "Use this location" button
5) Click "Next" then "Post"
6) Keep an eye on the comments to coordinate and provide updates
7) Keep neighbors updated on the status by adding comments
To see or edit your post, visit your profile → https://nextdoor.com/profile
𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃
✅ Listen to local officials
📸 Take photos of the damage before you start a cleanup
⚡️ Watch out for and don't touch or cut any downed lines
🙋 Call your insurance agent to submit a claim
Do not enter your home if
⛽️ You smell gas
🌊 Floodwaters remain around the building (if flooded)
🚨 Authorities have not declared it safe to enter
Also, watch out for these fire hazards:
✔️ Smell gas or hear a hissing sound? Leave immediately!
✔️ Appliances or vehicles exposed to water.
✔️ Exposed electrical outlets & wiring.
Working with a contractor?
🪚 Be wary of unsolicited offers
🪵 Get multiple written estimates & make sure the estimate includes debris removal
🔍 Research the company
✔️ Check for current proof of insurance
💵 Never pay in full until a job is complete
✅ Ensure the contractor you work with is licensed, bonded, and insured.
📝 Keep good receipts and take before / after photos.
𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐏 🧹 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐘
🌞 Clean up in the daylight
⚡️ Don't touch or cut any downed lines
🌊 Stay away from flooded areas
🪑 Be sure to take lots of breaks to avoid straining your body.
🪚 Be very careful with chainsaws and other power tools.
💧 Stay hydrated and take breaks in the A/C ❄️ (if available).
𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓
✅ Keep freezers and fridges closed as much as possible
✅ Switch off electronics to avoid damage from surges
✅ Place generators outside, at least 20 ft. away from the house
Follow these food safety tips:
🤢 Don't taste the food
🌡️ Use a thermometer to check food temperature
🗑️ Throw away food that is 40+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours
𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒:
😔 It's common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, isolated, or distressed during such events.
🫶 You're not alone: The National Disaster Distress Line 1-800-985-5990 offers 24/7 confidential, multilingual emotional support https://bit.ly/2XYr0HO
𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐘
1. Buyer beware. Research the charity to ensure it is legitimate and that an acceptable donation goes where you intend it to go.
2. New charities specific to this disaster will emerge. If you choose to donate via this route, just like any other online portal, ensure you use the correct web address. Fraudulent sites will pop up with similar web addresses and take your money.
3. Donate using a credit card.
4. Remember, if a charity is there on Monday, it will be there on Tuesday. Do not fall for a high-pressure pitch.
5. Like any other fraud prevention strategy, beware of wire transfers, providing personal information or account numbers, and purchasing gift cards.
6. VERIFY everything before you donate and ensure the charity is legitimate.
If you have other tips, share them below in the comments, and kindly repost this message to your neighbors on Nextdoor by clicking the "Share" button/arrow below and then "Repost."
