Common Types of Storm Damage

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Texas is no stranger to damaging storms. The best way to be prepared for a storm is to know what type of storm is coming. Did you know there are 10 different types of storms? Each of them have unique causes and create unique kinds of damage.

SERVPRO of Medina County knows the importance of keeping a home or business safe before, during, and after a storm. Keep reading to learn more.

The 10 most common storms 

• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Flooding
• Snow storm
• Hail storm
• Thunderstorm
• Lightning storm
• Tropical storms
• Ice storms
• Derecho storms

Depending on where a person lives, they likely won’t experience every type of storm in their lifetime. You might even be wondering what that last one is – a Derecho storm is a giant storm made up of many large storms. To be considered a Derecho storm, multiple storms must be raging at over 58 miles per hour over a path of 240 miles.

If you don’t live on or frequent the coast, you may never experience a hurricane (also know as a tropical cyclone or typhoon). However, neighboring states often still feel the effects of hurricanes through heavy rain or damaging floods.

Some storm damage is obvious: hail breaks windows and thunderstorms cause power outages.

But since hurricanes can have far-reaching effects, it’s particularly important to be informed on the damage they can cause. It’s important to be educated on all types of storm and the damage they cause, but this blog will focus on hurricane damage - whether you experience a hurricane’s immediate effects or the aftermath.

Most Common Storm Damage from Hurricanes

Storm Surge

Storm surge is mostly felt by those who live on the coast directly hit by a hurricane. Storm surge is when wind drives so much water to the shore that it causes the water to pile up far past the predicted tide level. The force of this water is so powerful that it can destroy buildings and other structures.

Flooding

Floods from a hurricane are often directly tied to storm surge. Storm surge forces extra water past the normal tide level, onto the shore and even far inland. The accompanying heavy rainfall also contributes heavily to flooding. Rainfall caused by hurricanes can impact an area even 100 miles from where the hurricane landed, causing widespread flooding. But a tropical storm doesn’t have to reach hurricane level to cause heavy rain and floods.

Wind

Wind caused by hurricanes can reach speeds between 74 - 155 miles per hour. The powerful speed and force of storm winds can uproot trees, fell power lines, and hurl debris. Objects moved by wind can cause more damage, like broken windows or damaged roofs. The wind during a storm can also be powerful enough to lift the roof on your house. Often, these damaging winds are caused by tornadoes that form because of the hurricane.

The damage caused by storm surge, floods, and strong winds can be far-reaching and unexpected. That’s why it’s important to take precautions like packing an emergency preparedness kit, installing storm resistant features on your home, and following any official warnings at the onset of a storm.

The damage in aftermath of a storm can be excessive and overwhelming. Clean up can also be dangerous. SERVPRO Medina County is the leading expert in storm damage restoration.